Registration is simple! Visit our Youth Programs page to complete our online registration form. You'll need to provide basic information about your child, parental consent, and a medical release form. Our team will contact you within 1–2 business days to schedule your child's first session.

Our onboarding takes about 1 week and includes:

(1) Registration and waiver completion – Parental consent and medical release forms
(2) Background check clearance – For all adults with youth contact
(3) Safety orientation – 45–60 minutes, 100% completion required
(4) Equipment fitting – Personalized gear selection
(5) First supervised session – With a certified coach
(6) Progress follow-up – Within 7 days

This ensures every youth starts safely and confidently.

Your child doesn't need to bring anything! Red Dirt Shooting Sports provides all equipment, including firearms, archery gear, safety equipment (eye and ear protection), and targets. We recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

We welcome youth ages 8–18. Our programs are designed for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced competitors. We offer age-appropriate training in disciplines like air rifle, air pistol, archery, and more.

Absolutely! Most of our youth are beginners. Our certified coaches specialize in teaching fundamentals in a safe, supportive environment. We start with basic safety and marksmanship skills, then progress based on your child's pace and interest.

Red Dirt Shooting Sports maintains strict safety and child protection standards. All adults with unsupervised youth contact undergo background checks every 3 years. Youth must be able to follow safety instructions and demonstrate respect for equipment and coaches. If your child has specific concerns or needs, contact us to discuss accommodations.

Program costs vary by discipline and intensity. Contact us for specific pricing. We believe cost should never be a barrier to participation—see our scholarship information below.

Yes! 70% of our youth receive scholarships or financial aid. We cover equipment, travel, and program fees for families with demonstrated financial need. Eligibility includes:

• Families receiving free/reduced lunch
• Those receiving assistance programs
• Those who can document financial need

Apply using our brief scholarship form—no complex paperwork required. Our board committee reviews applications on a rolling basis, and you'll hear back in 2–4 weeks.

Scholarships typically cover $1,000–$2,000 per youth per year, including:

• Equipment access and loaner gear
• Program fees and coaching
• Travel to workshops and competitions
• Safety gear (eye/ear protection)

Scholarships are renewed annually based on continued participation and need.

Complete our scholarship application form with:

• Basic family information
• A brief statement of financial need
• Optional recommendation from a coach or community leader

Submit online or by mail. Questions? Contact us—we're here to help.

Yes. Red Dirt Shooting Sports has maintained zero safety incidents in over 3 years. We prioritize safety above all else through:

• Certified coaches – NRA, USA Archery, CMP, 4-H certified
• Mandatory safety orientations – 100% completion required
• Equipment inspections – Before and after every session
• On-site first aid and AED – Available at all events
• Weather monitoring – Adjustments for safety
• Secure storage – All firearms and equipment locked and climate-controlled
• Incident documentation – Comprehensive tracking and emergency plans

All our coaches hold certifications from recognized organizations including:

• NRA (National Rifle Association)
• USA Archery
• CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program)
• 4-H Shooting Sports
• S3DA (Scholastic 3-Position Air Rifle)
• NFAA (National Field Archery Association)
• ASA (Archery Shooters Association)

Every coach completes annual youth protection training and passes background checks.

Our 45–60 minute safety orientation covers:

• Firearm/equipment handling
• Range rules and procedures
• Emergency procedures
• Personal responsibility

It's mandatory for all youth before their first session. We offer make-up sessions if needed, and 100% of participants complete it before shooting.

Safety is our top priority. If your child or you have any concerns, speak with a coach immediately or contact our director. We document all incidents and take immediate action to ensure a safe environment.

We offer 11 disciplines across multiple skill levels:

Rifle: Air rifle, smallbore rifle, muzzleloader
Pistol: Air pistol, smallbore pistol
Archery: Target archery, 3D archery, bowhunting
Shotgun: Shotgun sports
Other: Hunter education and survival skills

Each discipline has beginner, intermediate, and advanced training paths.

Air Rifle: Uses compressed air, quieter, lower recoil, ideal for beginners ages 8+. Requires 6–8 hours/week practice to reach competition level.

Smallbore Rifle: Uses .22 caliber ammunition, slightly more recoil, typically for ages 12+. Requires 12–24 months of practice to reach competition readiness.

Both teach fundamental marksmanship and precision.

It depends on the discipline:

Air Rifle/Pistol: 6–8 weeks of consistent practice (6–8 hrs/week) to enter local competitions.

Archery: 6–28 hours/week depending on type (target, 3D, bowhunting); 8–16 weeks for local competitions.

Shotgun/Smallbore/Muzzleloader: 12–24 months of regular practice.

Our coaches create personalized timelines based on your child's goals and commitment.

Yes! Many youth explore different disciplines before specializing. We recommend starting with one discipline to build fundamentals, then branching out if interested. Our coaches can recommend a progression path based on your child's age, interests, and goals.

Mobile workshops bring Red Dirt Shooting Sports directly to underserved communities across Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas. We transport equipment, certified coaches, and safety gear to schools, 4-H clubs, community centers, and other venues. Each workshop serves 10–15 youth with professional coaching, all equipment provided, and scholarships available.

We host 4–6 workshops per month during peak season (March–October) and 1–2 per month during winter, averaging 3–4 workshops monthly. Workshops are scheduled 2–3 months in advance. Check our events calendar or contact us to request a workshop in your area.

Contact us with:

• Your organization name and location
• Preferred dates/times
• Expected number of participants
• Venue details (indoor/outdoor, safety considerations)

We'll conduct a safety survey, confirm insurance, and coordinate logistics. Workshops are free or low-cost for participants, with scholarships available.

We serve Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas with a focus on rural and underserved areas. Our primary service counties include Tillman, Kiowa, Jackson, Cotton, Oklahoma, and Comanche counties. We travel up to 300–350 miles round-trip per event. If you're outside these areas, reach out—we may be able to accommodate your request.

Yes! We host the Annual Youth Air Rifle & Pistol Competition featuring a raffle with outdoor gear prizes. We also organize local and regional competitions and help youth prepare for state and national events. Our advanced youth compete in NCAA sanctioned events and collegiate shooting programs.

Absolutely! Our advanced youth receive specialized coaching to prepare for state and national competitions. We have a track record of youth earning NCAA team placements and archery scholarships. If your child shows interest and commitment, our coaches will develop a competition pathway tailored to their discipline and goals.

Red Dirt Shooting Sports has partnerships with collegiate shooting programs including:

• Murray State
• Texas A&M
• UT Tyler
• Jacksonville State
• USA Shooting

Our coaches maintain relationships with college recruiters and help prepare youth for recruitment. Many of our advanced youth have earned college scholarships in shooting sports and archery.

Progression is based on skill development, practice commitment, and readiness:

Beginners (8–12): Safety and fundamentals.
Intermediate (10–16): Discipline-specific training and local competitions.
Advanced (13–18): State/national prep and specialized coaching.

Our coaches assess progress regularly and recommend advancement when your child is ready.

We're proud of our retention: 60% of youth continue multi-year, 70–75% progress from beginner to intermediate, and 50–60% advance to competitive levels. This reflects our supportive coaching, inclusive environment, and focus on long-term development.