ranges/public-land
East Penn Youth Shooting Sports
Emmaus
•42.7 miles from Philadelphia
East Penn Youth Shooting Sports (EPYSS) is a booster club operating in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, with a straightforward mission: give every kid in Central Eastern PA a shot at competitive shooting sports. They're not gatekeeping—they're building access. The club partners with established sponsors includ...
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01 // OVERVIEW
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Overview
Location details and information
East Penn Youth Shooting Sports (EPYSS) is a booster club operating in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, with a straightforward mission: give every kid in Central Eastern PA a shot at competitive shooting sports. They're not gatekeeping—they're building access.
The club partners with established sponsors including The NRA Foundation, American Legion Post 191, and Guns Plus to fund and support youth participation across multiple shooting disciplines.
Most people think "shooting sports" means rifles at a range. It's much broader:
Precision Disciplines - Bullseye shooting: Handgun and rifle competitions at fixed distances (10-300 meters) emphasizing accuracy, breath control, and trigger precision. These Olympic-recognized events require serious concentration. - Four-position small bore: Popular U.S. format using .22 LR rifles shot from standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone positions. - High Power Rifle: Three-position shooting (standing, kneeling, prone) at 200, 300, and 600 yards. Culminates annually at Camp Perry, Ohio National Matches. - Service Rifle: Competition using current or former U.S. military-standard weapons. Competitors shoot bullseye targets at National Match distances.
Field & Long-Range - Field shooting: Pistol and rifle competitions at temporary ranges with varying, sometimes unknown distances. Nordic field-shooting events run year-round in different outdoor conditions. - Long-range shooting: Disciplines at 300-1200+ yard distances where wind and atmospheric adjustment become critical. PALMA events reach out to 1,000 yards with match-grade ammunition and iron sights. - Precision Rifle Series (PRS): Modern format mixing speed and accuracy from 10-1000 meters in terrain, often from unusual shooting positions.
Clay Target Sports - Trap & Double Trap: Shotgun shooting at flying clay targets thrown from machines. ISSF Olympic events. - Skeet: Targets in singles or doubles from two trap houses 40 meters apart. - Sporting Clays: Similar to trap/skeet but with varied target presentations.
Archery - Target archery: Competitive shooting at set distances. Governed by USA Archery and NFAA in the U.S. - Field archery: Wooded course shooting at varied distances, popular in Europe and America.
90% Mental Discipline: Experienced marksmen will tell you shooting sports are fundamentally mental. Concentration, logic, mathematics, and problem-solving under pressure—success depends more on the mind than the trigger finger.
Young shooters develop:
| Skill | How It Develops |
|---|---|
| Hand-eye coordination | Precise aiming at small targets from distance |
| Focus | Single-task concentration removes distraction |
| Fine motor control | Steady hands and arms holding position |
| Core strength | Maintaining shooting stance exercises stabilizer muscles |
| Arm strength | Supporting firearm or bow weight over time |
| Personal responsibility | Safety protocols and equipment handling |
| Confidence & courage | Proper training builds capability-based confidence |
| Problem-solving | Adjusting for wind, distance, atmospheric conditions |
"The shooting sports teach discipline that applies not only to the range but to all of life."
Contact EPYSS: - Email: [email protected] - Location: 4905 Beck Road, Emmaus, PA 18049 - Leadership: Board-run by volunteers including President Thomas Yard, Vice President Jay Heminitz, Secretary Jennifer Yard, and Treasurer Dave Heintzelman
The club actively seeks community support and donor involvement to expand youth access to these disciplines.
Safety Information
- •Check current conditions before visiting
- •Follow all posted safety guidelines
- •Respect other shooters and maintain safe distances
Restrictions
- •Youth-focused organization - age restrictions may apply
- •Membership or participation in organized events may be required
- •All shooting sports safety rules and regulations apply
- •Firearms safety certification may be required for certain disciplines
Pro Tips for Visiting
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Four-position small bore: Popular U.S. format using .22 LR rifles shot from standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone positions.
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Service Rifle: Competition using current or former U.S. military-standard weapons. Competitors shoot bullseye targets at National Match distances.
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Trap & Double Trap: Shotgun shooting at flying clay targets thrown from machines. ISSF Olympic events.
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Skeet: Targets in singles or doubles from two trap houses 40 meters apart.
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[Sporting Clays](/handbook/sporting-clays): Similar to trap/skeet but with varied target presentations.
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Target archery: Competitive shooting at set distances. Governed by [USA Archery](/handbook/org-usa-archery) and NFAA in the U.S.
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