Excited and scared at the same time!

taylorce1 · Nov 7, 2013

My 10 year old daughter is going to shoot at the Olympic Training Center for the first time tonight. We've had her on the waiting list for the National Training Center Youth Shooting Program for over a year. She got the call about two weeks ago that there was a slot for her, and she did her orientation on Monday.

I wish I had an opportunity like this when I was a kid, and I'm glad that I'm able to give her this one. She'll be learning 10m air rifle and pistol from some very high caliber coaches. I'm just a little scared how much this is going to cost me down the road if she sticks with it and starts need better equipment than the club can provide!

DrMike · Nov 7, 2013

Congratulations! Sounds like a great opportunity. Man, we can't keep our money in any case; better to spend it on something that truly means something than to give it to the government.

truck driver · Nov 7, 2013

DrMike":uthszeex said:
Congratulations! Sounds like a great opportunity. Man, we can't keep our money in any case; better to spend it on something that truly means something than to give it to the government.

I'll second that. Mine only wanted to go to college and I found the money somewhere.
That was a very nice surprise for both of you. Congratulations.

FOTIS · Nov 7, 2013

Wish her the best of luck

taylorce1 · Nov 7, 2013

She's shown a strong interest in shooting and while not as much an interest in hunting as well. She already has a deer under her belt and will be hunting in a couple of weeks for another in OK. We were just looking for a program to foster this interest in her, as she can already out shoot me with a pistol, but I've never been much of a pistol guy.

The shooting program is only $130 a year and gets her four hours of instruction a week. It includes a membership in USA Shooting so she'll be able to compete in their sanctioned events. Plus all the equipment is provided until the coaches have that talk that her abilities have outgrown the club equipment and it is time to invest in her own equipment.

truck driver · Nov 7, 2013

I would be checking the Air gun web pages because It can get expensive very fast depending on the level of equipment, over $2k for a pistol and upwards to $4k for a rifle for precision equipment.
I'm not trying to scare you just inform you.

tim629 · Nov 7, 2013

Check out to see what kind of future scholarships she could receive if she wants to go on to college, when she gets to that point might be worth talking to the coaches to find out with her potential if she might be able to get 2-4+ thousand scholarship as then it could sortof "wash" the price if she sticks with it

but regardless.... $130/year for 4hours/week for the level of training she will have access to. you just can't beat that

taylorce1 · Nov 7, 2013

TD, I'm currently furloughed so between the reloading I did I was looking at Anschutz air rifles. :shock:

As far as scholarships go they gave us a list last night of what colleges have shooting programs. University of Kentucky and Tennessee were the Division I schools that she liked. Texas Christian University was the division II school that she said she wouldn't mind. I was pulling for the Air Force Academy or University of Anchorage, so she could either get all her school paid for or get residency up in AK so I could fill my bucket list hunts cheaper. :grin:

Oldtrader3 · Nov 7, 2013

Congratulations and I wish her all the luck.

Hegland · Nov 7, 2013

Way to represent, Dad. Excellent opportunity you're giving her; I wish you both the best.

taylorce1":3a2blc6n said:
get residency up in AK so I could fill my bucket list hunts cheaper.

I like the way you think!

I shot a trap league this fall and one of the metro area high schools held practice the same nights we shot. Great to see the enthusiasm from the youngsters, and there's nothing quite as humbling as getting your butt kicked by a 16-year-old girl...

Guy Miner · Nov 7, 2013

Outstanding!

taylorce1 · Nov 7, 2013

Looks like I might have to move this to a pistol forum! She got to shoot pistols first tonight. She shot a 186 tonight in the final, highest score out everyone shooting tonight. Of course she did have an advantage, she shot what is called Progressive Position Pistol where she was sitting down and got to use a rest.

I'm still proud of her scores though!

Next week on Monday she'll shoot air rifle.

DrMike · Nov 7, 2013

Good for her! You have every right to be proud of her accomplishment. As she is trained, she'll only get better.

truck driver · Nov 8, 2013

Looking good ,tell her to keep up the good work.

taylorce1 · Nov 8, 2013

My wife was teasing me last night, saying I was so excited I was about to wet my pants.

truck driver · Nov 8, 2013

taylorce1":1va01ft8 said:
My wife was teasing me last night, saying I was so excited I was about to wet my pants.

TMI :!: TMI :!: :lol:

taylorce1 · Nov 11, 2013

Wife said I needed a Xanax tonight, because I was so excited. My daughter shot air rifle for the first time tonight. She tied for first in the supported rifle final with a score of 90! It was a 10 shot final because they had the computer scoring screw up and so they had to restart the final. I forgot to get a picture of her final group, but this was her last six shots before she stated the final.

This old man is going to be paying her to teach him to shoot before too long!. She has a tough decision ahead of her, both rifle and pistol coaches were lined up with the sales pitch trying to convince her on what discipline to pursue. I told my daughter it was totally up to her, and she decided to shoot one more night of each to figure it out.

Oldtrader3 · Nov 11, 2013

That is cool and congratulations to your daughter for her efforts.

DrMike · Nov 11, 2013

Congratulations to you for having such a great daughter! Congratulations to her for doing such a fine job. You have every reason to be proud.

elkeater2 · Nov 14, 2013

Congratulations to both of you. A really great facility and staff there. If it gets too expensive, the pool is just to the north - suits and goggles are pretty economical! My son works there, and I'll tell him about your daughter, he may come spectate. Sounds exciting, keep us updated please!
EE2