With the help of the Indiana Youth Shooting Sports Foundation and the Army National Guard the new Bishop Dwenger High School Rifle Team held a very successful summer camp at the National Guard Armory in Fort Wayne. Over thirty new shooters were introduced to youth shooting sports. Shooters attended ten hours of camp over a week. Five shooting sessions were offered.

The new shooters, entering grades 6-12, were introduced to the fundamentals of the 3-position sporter air rifle. Shooters established a baseline score early in the week then received instruction in each of the positions. The week culminated in the students shooting an actual 3-position match competing against their own scores and the scores of other participants. The National Guard provided a prize for top shooters. The students learned extensive fundamentals in a short period of time. All participants are anxious to repeat the summer camp experience next year.

The new Bishop Dwenger High School Rifle team will begin practices this fall with a small bore and sporter air varsity teams. Coach Gregg Rice has high hopes for the team as he observed discipline and great effort demonstrated at summer camp. The school is a buzz with talks of the new rifle team and the opportunities it will add for students.

The task of starting a new team is great. Support was needed from many. The Indiana Youth Shooting Sports Foundation has assisted by purchasing ammunition. The Friends of the NRA grant was used to purchase two new rifles and a scope.

Special thanks also need to be given to Staff Sergeant Carl Baltes and Captain Wimp of the Army National Guard for their part in providing a facility for camp and air rifle team practice. Principal, Jason Schiffli, has shown his overwhelming support from the beginning believing that the rifle team will provide another way for more students to become involved in their school.

The team will be seeking funds this fall as they have joined the Midway USA Foundation Scholastic Shooting Trust. The team goal is $10,000. $10,000 in donations will result in a $35,000 balance in the trust. Five percent of the trust balance can be used each year to support the team. Please contact Gregg Rice at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have questions about how the program works or are interested in donating.