Changes to Outdoor Youth Challenge at West Virginia’s Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days September 27 and 28 at Stonewall Resort State Park 

“This celebration is one of the best outdoor recreation events held in West Virginia, with hands-on learning and instructional opportunities for youth and the entire family in celebrating West Virginia’s wildlife and outdoor heritage,” according to Director Frank Jezioro of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

In the past, the Outdoor Youth Challenge was a scored competition of events dealing with wildlife, fishing, marksmanship (shooting) and other activities related to outdoor recreation.  There were two age classes (ages 11-14 and ages 15-18) and a grand prize was awarded to the overall winner of the competition in each age class.

Changes in the Outdoor Youth Challenge were initiated as a means of significantly increasing youth participation by removing the competition factor (scoring), unless a youth requests to be scored.  Ultimately, it is hoped that many more youths will try the events, just for fun and to have the exposure and experience of trying something new – without the pressure of being tested.  However, those youths 11-18 years of age who would like to compete will still be able to do so with five scored competitive events which include casting for accuracy, archery and .22 rifle, muzzleloader and shotgun (skeet) shooting.

All youths who wish to participate must complete a free, on-site registration where they will be given a color coded registration card for Outdoor Youth Challenge events. There will be approximately 20 events and each youth must complete at least 10 events to be eligible for prize drawings.  Upon completion of an event, the youth’s registration card will be validated by the official overseeing that event. 

Two types of registration will be offered for the Outdoor Youth Challenge.  The first will be for those youths up to 18 years of age who would like to participate in the Youth Challenge events just for fun and the experience, but do not wish to compete.  The second type of registration will be for youths 11-14 and 15-18 years of age who wish to compete in the scored events. The numerical score for the five scored competitive events will be recorded on the youth’s registration card. These youths, in addition to completing the scored events, must also complete at least five of the un-scored Youth Challenge events. 

All Outdoor Youth Challenge participants will have a chance to win a grand prize and other secondary prizes at the end of each day.  In addition, separate prizes will be awarded to each junior (ages11-14) and senior (ages15-18) competition winner each day.

“The Outdoor Youth Challenge is probably the most important single event at West Virginia’s Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days,” Jezioro said. “It encourages our state’s youngsters to learn new skills and to gain important knowledge and experience about wildlife, hunting, fishing, firearms safety and outdoor recreation. For some youngsters, this may be the only opportunity they will have to be exposed to these fun and exciting outdoor activities.”

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