More than 70,000 students have fired 42 million shots since 2008.  No one has reported a single injury in the SCTP league. According to the SSSF, 18.8 percent of youth football and 7.6 percent of youth basketball participants are injured each year. Compare that to the injury rate in competitive shooting of .4 percent, making it one of the safest sports a young person can enjoy.

We conduct our practices and tournaments with the highest priority on safety. Our club adheres to strict safety protocols and guidelines to ensure that participants can enjoy this sport in a secure and controlled environment. All of our coaches, board members, and range safety officers are subject to background checks through the Scholastic Clay Target Program. We prioritize the well-being of all students involved and have implemented comprehensive safety measures, including trained personnel, clear communication, and adherence to established safety standards. Student safety is our top concern, and we encourage everyone to enjoy the sport responsibly and confidently within the framework of our safety procedures. 

Clay Shooting One of the Safest Sports in High School

Clay target shooting is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, and one of the oldest sports still in existence, dating back to the 1700's in England. Often students uninterested in mainline sports, like football or basketball, are attracted to competitive shooting.  It gives them an enjoyable and safe athletic experience.

A delight of clay shooting is its inclusiveness. There are no benchwarmers in target shooting.  There is no second-string and everyone is important on the team.  Everybody shoots, everybody competes, everybody has the same chances.  The team is coed and persons with disabilities can fully participate.  It is a sport where hand-eye coordination and concentration are paramount, not speed or strength, which levels the playing field.

It takes discipline, patience, and a lot of practice. Staying calm is key to consistency in clay shooting.  It teaches students muscle memory and makes them tap into their reflexes.  It's mentally and physically challenging. Mental focus is essential for hitting the target.  Confidence rises with each hit.  The camaraderie among participants builds as all work toward team success.

Shotguns shoot relatively low-powered shells filled with a cup of tiny pellets, called shot.  Targets are small clay discs that shatter when struck by the pellets. Most teams shoot trap, but our team also shoots Skeet, Five-Stand, and Sporting Clays - a rarity that we are privileged to have.

Bethel Clay Shooting Club is open to any student residing within the Bethel Local School District in grades 6-12.  Students enrolled in homeschool or distance learning are also eligible as long as they reside within the Bethel Local School District.

Marksmen outside the Bethel Local School District can be admitted to the Club upon approval by the Board of Directors.