About Red Dirt Shooting Sports: Oklahoma's Premier Youth Shooting Sports Nonprofit
Our Mission: Breaking Down Barriers in Youth Shooting Sports
Red Dirt Shooting Sports Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to removing cost and access barriers that prevent young people from participating in shooting sports. Founded by a passionate coach, 4-H leader, and veteran, we ensure that every young shooter aged 8-18 can train, compete, and thrive regardless of their family’s financial situation or geographic location.
Our core belief: Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the character-building benefits of shooting sports education, from building confidence and discipline to developing lifelong skills in safety and marksmanship.
The Red Dirt Story: Rooted in Oklahoma Values
The name “Red Dirt” reflects our deep Oklahoma roots and our unwavering commitment to nurturing future generations. Just as the rich red soil of Oklahoma provides the foundation for growth, we provide the foundation for young athletes to develop not just as marksmen and archers, but as confident, responsible citizens.
Our organization was born from a simple observation: too many talented young people were being left behind due to the high costs of equipment, training, and competition fees. We decided to change that.
Meet Our Director: Gary Parks
Gary Parks leads Red Dirt Shooting Sports with a unique combination of coaching expertise, youth mentorship experience, and military service. As our director, Gary oversees all youth programs, manages fundraising and sponsorship efforts, and ensures our organization maintains its commitment to supporting veterans and military families.
Under Gary’s leadership, Red Dirt Shooting Sports has grown to serve 150+ youth annually through our resident programs and reach an additional 600+ young people through our innovative mobile outreach workshops across Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas.
Our Impact: Transforming Lives Through Shooting Sports
By the Numbers
– 750+ youth served annually through resident and mobile programs
– 70% scholarship rate – most participants receive financial assistance
– 54+ mobile workshops delivered across four states each year
– 11 shooting disciplines offered, from air rifle to archery to smallbore
– Zero safety incidents in over three years of operation
– Multiple college scholarships earned by our athletes, including NCAA Division I opportunities
Real Results for Young Athletes
Our comprehensive approach to youth development goes beyond marksmanship. We’ve helped one athlete earn a spot on the TCU NCAA rifle team, supported two archers in receiving college scholarships, and watched countless young people develop confidence, discipline, and leadership skills that serve them throughout their lives.
Our Comprehensive Youth Programs
Shooting Disciplines We Offer
– Air Rifle & Air Pistol: Perfect starting points for young shooters
– Archery: Target archery, 3D archery, and bowhunting education
– Smallbore Rifle & Pistol: Advanced training for serious competitors
– Shotgun Sports: Clay target shooting and hunting preparation
– Muzzleloader: Traditional shooting sports and hunting skills
– Hunter Education: Comprehensive safety and ethics training
– Survival Skills: Outdoor education and self-reliance
Age-Appropriate Training Structure
– Beginners (Ages 8-12): Safety fundamentals and basic skills in group settings
– Intermediate (Ages 10-16): Discipline-specific training and local competition preparation
– Advanced (Ages 13-18): State and national competition preparation with specialized coaching
Mobile Outreach: Bringing Programs to Rural Communities
Our innovative mobile shooting sports program eliminates geographic barriers by bringing professional coaching and complete equipment directly to communities across Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas. This groundbreaking approach ensures that rural youth have the same opportunities as their urban counterparts.
Mobile Program Features:
– Complete portable range setups for safe training anywhere
– 3-5 certified coaches per workshop
– All equipment provided, including loaner rifles and bows
– Workshops accommodate 10-15 youth per session
– Follow-up support and ongoing coaching relationships
Our Values in Action
Safety First, Always
Safety isn’t just our priority—it’s our foundation. All our coaches hold national certifications from organizations like the NRA, USA Archery, and CMP. We maintain a perfect safety record through rigorous protocols, mandatory safety briefings, and continuous training.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
We believe financial circumstances should never prevent a young person from participating. That’s why 70% of our participants receive scholarships covering equipment, training fees, and travel expenses. We also provide extensive loaner equipment so families don’t need to make large upfront investments.
Community Partnership
We work closely with 4-H clubs, schools, OSU Extension offices, and local organizations to ensure our programs complement existing youth development efforts. Our partnerships with veteran organizations also provide unique mentorship opportunities for our young athletes.
Character Development
While marksmanship skills are important, we’re really in the business of developing character. Our programs emphasize responsibility, respect, discipline, and perseverance—qualities that serve young people well beyond the shooting range.
Affiliations and Certifications
Red Dirt Shooting Sports maintains affiliations with premier shooting sports organizations to ensure our programs meet the highest standards:
– 4-H Shooting Sports: Official programming partner
– Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP): Certified club status
– National Rifle Association (NRA): Certified instructors and programs
– USA Archery: Official coaching certifications
– Archery Shooters Association (ASA): Competition programming
– Oklahoma Scholastic Archery Association (OSAA): School program support
– National Field Archery Association (NFAA): Field archery programs
– Scholastic 3D Archery (S3DA): 3D competition preparation
– Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation: Hunter education partnership
Supporting Veterans and Military Families
As a veteran-founded organization, we maintain a special commitment to supporting military families and veterans. We offer specialized training programs, mentorship opportunities, and pathways for veterans to become involved as coaches and leaders in our organization.
Looking Forward: Our Growth Vision
Over the next three years, we’re working to double our impact, serving 250-300 youth annually through our resident programs while expanding our mobile outreach to reach even more rural communities. This growth requires expanding our team of certified coaches, increasing our equipment inventory, and developing new partnerships across our four-state service area.
Legal Status and Governance
Red Dirt Shooting Sports Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation incorporated in Oklahoma and registered to operate in Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas. We maintain full tax-exempt status, file all required annual reports, and operate under comprehensive bylaws with proper board governance.
Our organization carries extensive insurance coverage including general liability, participant accident coverage, and specialized coverage for our unique mobile operations, ensuring complete protection for participants, volunteers, and communities we serve.
Join Our Mission
Whether you’re a parent looking for quality youth programming, a community leader interested in bringing our mobile workshops to your area, or a potential sponsor wanting to support youth development, we invite you to join the Red Dirt Shooting Sports family.
Together, we’re building a future where every young person has the opportunity to experience the life-changing benefits of shooting sports education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Ready to get involved? Contact us today to learn more about our programs, schedule a mobile workshop, or explore sponsorship opportunities.