Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program

Iowa SCTP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established in 2006 that funds and supports organized clay target and action shooting programs for elementary through collegiate students across Iowa. This isn't a range or retail shop—it's the backbone of youth shooting sports in the state, partnering with the Iowa DNR to develop the next generation of safe, disciplined shooters.

Iowa SCTP provides direct financial support to school-based and club-based teams, coaches, and student-athletes. The organization:

• •Subsidizes clinic registration and training for coaches pursuing certification through organizations like USA Shooting, NSSA, and NSCA
• •Hosts the annual Iowa SCTP Coach Conference—a day of knowledge-sharing with expert speakers, networking, and skill development
• •Funds state championship awards and competition opportunities
• •Manages fundraising programs through MidwayUSA Foundation raffles to build team Scholastic Shooting Trust Accounts

Through partnerships with national shooting sports organizations, Iowa SCTP connects coaches and athletes to:

• •NRA/USA Shooting Level I coaches certification
• •NSSA Level I Instructor courses and student clinics
• •NSCA Sporting Clays clinics
• •International Trap and Skeet instruction
• •Scholastic Action Shooting Sports (SASP) education

Beyond marksmanship, young shooters develop firearms safety, teamwork, mental focus, self-discipline, and respect—skills that transfer off the range. Teams are coached by certified instructors, compete in local matches, and work toward state championships held annually in early summer.

The national SCTP program involves over 14,000 student-athletes each year. Iowa's board of directors includes experienced coaches like Tina Elwood Gehrke (CMP instructor and trapshooting coach), Mark Little (NSSA certified skeet specialist), and Jeremy Rydl (Gilbert Clay Commanders co-founder).

Students can find existing teams in their area or contact the Iowa DNR about starting a program. Iowa SCTP's board actively works to expand shooting sports access across the state while maintaining program quality and coach education.