With more than 70,000 NRA members in attendance at the 2010 Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Charlotte, NC, in May, the Brownells Inc booth saw quite a bit of traffic.

"We've stayed busy, that's for sure," company President Pete Brownell told NRAblog on Friday afternoon.

Pictured at right, Pete and Frank Brownell took a moment to enjoy cupcakes and conversation with the NRA Youth Ambassadors. The Brownells sponsor this program as a way of insuring the next generation's involvement in the shooting sports.

"Without the generosity of the Brownells, the NRA Youth Ambassadors wouldn't have had the chance to be here in Charlotte, making all these important connections," Claudia Olsen told NRAblog. Olsen coordinates the Ambassador program and other youth cooperative organizations under the NRA's Education and Training Division.

Stay tuned on more from the Brownells/NRA Youth Ambassadors!

Five of the seven 2010 Brownells Youth Ambassadors are here on the scene at the NRA’s 139th Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Charlotte. Thanks to the generosity of Frank and Pete Brownell, the Ambassadors are attending the entire convention.

The Brownells are pictured at left with the Ambassadors and Bill Poole, NRA’s Director of Education and Training.

“Keep up the good work,” Frank Brownell told the youth. The group enjoyed a quiet moment at the Brownells booth on Friday, sharing brown and yellow cupcakes with their sponsors. The Ambassadors presented the Brownells a plaque with a picture of the group at the 2010 SHOT Show, which symbolized the beginning of the Brownells' affiliation with the program.

"These kids are just so appreciative of the chance to be here, among all these NRA members, and all this excitement," Claudia Olsen, who manages the Ambassador Program, told NRAblog. "We've been together today, bouncing around the Exhibit Hall and meeting with industry folk, and tomorrow we'll do a Refuse To Be A Victim seminar and more." 

Brownells/NRA Youth Ambassador Jessy Hagey caught up with NRAblog:

"Being Youth Ambassador has brought many things to my life. It's brought me travel opportunities, the chance to meet famous people, friendships with the other Ambassadors, and better knowledge of the shooting and hunting industry.

I think the NRA Annual Meetings is a going to be a very big deal. It will be a great way for people who support the Second Amendment to come and listen to famous speakers, NRA officers, and see new products. I've never been to the Annual meetings so I am looking forward to it!

I've been in touch with some of the other Ambassadors, mostly through Facebook. I am excited to see them!"

Stay tuned as we once again meet up with Hagey and four of her peer Ambassadors in Charlotte!

Above, check out some of the shots snapped by Brownells/NRA Youth Ambassadors Ben Hayes and Jessy Hagy during their time in Vegas for the 2010 Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show.

"The best part about the SHOT Show?" NRA Youth Ambassador Ben Hayes repeats the question. "Having the chance to see the most up to date and new products in the firearm, ammunition, and outdoor gear industry along with opportunity to test a few at Media Day on the range."

"Plus, what 20 year old male would not want to spend a week in Las Vegas having fun with guns?" the Ohio State University student adds.

And stick around -- Claudia Olsen tells us all 7 youth ambassadors will make an appearance at the NRA's Annual Meetings in Charlotte!

More than seventy years ago, Bob Brownell founded a firearms accessories company dedicated to Selection, Service, and Satisfaction. Not long after, his operation also became dedicated to supporting the NRA. Three generations later, the tradition continues as Brownells have generously given to NRA programs such as The NRA Foundation's Law Enforcement Endowment, The Brownell Family Endowment, and the creation of the The Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest at the Whittington Center. One program particularly close to their heart is Brownell’s/NRA National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassador project.

Designed to expand young people's knowledge of the shooting world, the Ambassador program has cash awards, provides travel opportunities, and gives them the chance to meet industry celebrities. And, of course, a meeting with the Brownells.

Situated in their 2010 SHOT Show booth, Frank and Pete Brownell gathered the troops for a talk and some pictures.

"They are future of the outdoor and shooting experience as we know it," said CEO Frank Brownell. "They also happen to be a great bunch of kids. I'd be proud if any one one of them were my own."

"The man behind the name," smiled Ambassador Kyle Loyd when asked about the encounter. "You don't get to run into people like the Brownells every day. A family that works together at a big company like that. . . Very cool."

After the photo op, Frank and Pete talked with the group about their organizations, shooting experience, and plans for the future.

"You should do what you can to keep in contact with each other," said Pete. "This is a unique experience that can grow into a lifelong friendship. Don't let it slip away."

Brownell’s/NRA National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors come from a variety of groups across the United States. Each Ambassador receives training and guidance for their programs.

Amy and Ben from the Boy Scouts of America's Venturing program presented Education and Training Director Bill Poole with plaque recognizing NRA's continued support of their program. Always gracious, Bill gathered his troops and asked that a second picture memorializing the event be added to the collection.

The 2010 Brownell’s/NRA National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors were introduced to SHOT Show attendees and vendors yesterday at a special welcome luncheon. Brownells President Frank Brownell had a few words to share with the kids:

Brownell said it just made sense for his family’s company to sponsor the NRA Youth Shooting Sports Ambassador Program: "For us to get involved was so natural because its where our heart is… Where my kids and my grandkids are,” he told the crowd assembled for Tuesday’s Youth Ambassador luncheon. Brownell, an NRA Board Member, serves on the Youth Activities Committee, and has assisted in a variety of ways over the years.

"Whatever it is you're passionate about, you're going to carry with you that basic love of guns."

"We want you all to be able to grow up and share with your kids and grandkids the same love of shooting," he said, touching on the importance of maintaining the 2nd Amendment and the right of all Americans to keep and bear arms,

"This whole business of helping you out is about making sure what's in our heart is also in your heart," he concluded. We want to share that, so you'll never lose your sight, and your connection, to this shooting sport community."

Brownell joined the NRA's first Youth Ambassador, Samantha Olsen, in congratulating the seven 2010 Ambassadors on their accomplishments and encouraging them to keep up the good work. Brownell's son Pete also attended the luncheon but said his dad could do the talking. 

Last year, NRAblog introduced the 2009 Youth Ambassadors to our readers. We had the chance to catch up with them in the exhibit hall of the 2009 SHOT Show in Florida. Above, two Ambassadors model some of their favorite firearms at  the Smith & Wesson booth.

This year, NRAblog will join forces with coordinator Claudia Olsen at SHOT Show to meet each of the 7 Ambassadors:

• Boy Scouts of America: 19 year-old Ben Hayes, from Delaware, Ohio. Ben is currently attending Ohio State University.
• National High School Rodeo: 16 year-old Jessy Hagey, from Tremont, Illinois. Jessy is a junior in high school.
• Royal Rangers: 18 year-old Michael Carter, from Nampa, Idaho.  Michael is currently attending Idaho State University.
• Venturing: 19 year-old Amy Carter, from Annapolis, Maryland. She attends Anne Arundel Community College.
• National Scholastic Sportsman Program: 16 year-old Kyle Loyd, from Vienna, Illinois. He is a sophomore in high school.
• USA Shooting: 18 year-old Rachael Heiden, resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• NRA: 18 year-old Collin Wietfeldt, resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Don't go away! SHOT Show is the perfect venue for these talented youth to make their debut, and we'll be there every step of the way. More...

NRA’s Youth Programs Department is pleased to announce the selection of seven young people to serve as the 2010 Brownell’s/NRA National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors. During their term, these Ambassadors will provide a young person’s perspective on the shooting sports and serve as youth advisers on shooting sports topics involving young people. 

NRA’s Youth Cooperative Organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, National High School Rodeo Association, Royal Rangers, BSA Venturing, National Scholastic Sportsman Program, and USA Shooting nominated outstanding young people to represent their organization, Brownell’s, and the NRA at national-level events. Not only does the Youth Ambassador program encourage growth of the shooting sports, but it also encourages increased industry support of youth shooting.

“These young people are part of an exciting program that encourages not only the growth of the shooting sports, but increased industry support of young people involved in shooting,” said Larry Quandahl, Manager of NRA’s Youth Programs Department.

Sponsored by Brownell’s, the program offers participants a wide array of benefits, ranging from cash awards and travel opportunities to meeting national shooting celebrities. The 2010 term promises to be a very exciting year for the new Ambassadors, who will attend the 2010 SHOT Show in Las Vegas to represent their organizations and the NRA.

The seven young men and women chosen to serve as Ambassadors in 2010 are:

• Boy Scouts of America: 19 year-old Ben Hayes, from Delaware, Ohio. Ben is currently attending Ohio State University.
• National High School Rodeo: 16 year-old Jessy Hagey, from Tremont, Illinois. Jessy is a junior in high school.
• Royal Rangers: 18 year-old Michael Carter, from Nampa, Idaho.  Michael is currently attending Idaho State University.
• Venturing: 19 year-old Amy Carter, from Annapolis, Maryland. She attends Anne Arundel Community College.
• National Scholastic Sportsman Program: 16 year-old Kyle Loyd, from Vienna, Illinois. He is a sophomore in high school.
• USA Shooting: 18 year-old Rachael Heiden, resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• NRA: 18 year-old Collin Wietfeldt, resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Congratulations to our new Ambassadors, and stay tuned for more information on these young people, including profiles of each Ambassador, and their trip to SHOT Show.

Three of NRA's Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors made the trek to the NRA Whittington Center to see what the Youth Hunter Education Challenge is all about. Venturing/Boy Scouts of America representative Matt McGroarty, Royal Rangers representative Kevin Brannan, and NRA's own Samantha Olsen recently arrived in New Mexico.

"They're here to observe the activities and possibly take YHEC back to their own programs," NRA Youth Programs Coordinator Claudia Olsen said.

McGroarty is looking forward to checking out the shotgun event and seeing the impact of the YHEC program. "I'm looking forward to seeing that youth shooting programs are growing and expanding," McGroarty said.

Brannan is hoping that YHEC is something that Royal Rangers might become involved in. "I'd like to see what YHEC is like and bring it back to our program," said Brannan.

 

Thanks to Samantha Olsen for sharing the following information with NRAblog:

The 2009 4-H Invitational was held in Grand Island, NE, on June 24-28. The 4-H Invitational is the national event for 4-H shooters from all states to compete. This year’s event featured approximately 490 competitors from 30 states.

"As the National Rifle Association’s 2008 National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassador, I attended the event and spoke at the Opening Ceremony. I talked about about what the shooting sports has to offer, as well as the path to becoming an ambassador." More...

NRAblog first met the NRA’s Youth Ambassadors at the SHOT Show in January (pictured above). We hear they will make the rounds later this week at NRA Annual Meetings in Phoenix, so stay tuned for an update on these young men.

Read more about the NRA’s Youth Ambassadors.

The National Shooting Sports Youth Ambassadors moved quickly, but NRAblog.com was able to snap a few photographs of them. Stay tuned for a review of SHOT Show from the point of view of the Ambassadors' "event planner," Youth Programs Coordinator Chip Lohman.

The Ambassadors had the opportunity to meet NRA President John Sigler, 1st Vice President Ron Schmeits, Executive Director Kayne Robinson, and Deputy Executive Director Andrea Cerwinske. The Ambassadors were featured on NRANews.com as well.

Continuing their whirlwind tour of the SHOT Show in Orlando Florida, the NRA Youth Ambassadors got to sit down with a collection of Olympic medal winning shooters this afternoon. Down in the halls of the Orange County Convention Center, it was a rare opportunity for these aspiring shooters.

In the picture above, you might be able to pick out gold medal winning Double Trap shooter Glenn Eller. Among his other accomplishments, this Texas native is a seven-time Interservice International Trap and Skeet Champion and a four-time U.S. International Skeet National Champion.

Sporting her bronze medal from the 2008 Olympics in Women's Trap, this shooter comes all the way from Eagle River, Alaska. She is Corey Cogdell and she's not your average Olympian. Her time in the great white north is not only spent honing her skills by hunting with her family, but she also worked as a chef and enjoys rebuilding cars.

Hopefully these ambassadors took full advantage of their time with these amazing athletes.

By now you've read several profiles of the NRA's inaugural National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors. This week, they are enjoying the festivities of the 31st SHOT Show in Orlando, Florida.

Chip Lohman of NRA Youth Programs and the four National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors are in for an extra-special treat: lunch with Olympic medal winning shooters.

Scheduled to sit down with our Ambassadors is two-time Olympic gold winning shooter Kim Rhode and US Army's own gold winning double trapper Glenn Eller.

These young Olympians traveled to Beijing in September of 2008 to compete against internationally renowned shooters. The National Shooting Sports Ambassadors will enjoy a private meeting with the Olympic shooters on Thursday, the first day of SHOT Show. The Ambassadors will be busy, but Mr. Lohman assures us they will be well fed given their numerous breakfast and lunch invitations.

If you know someone who might be interested in NRA Youth Programs or just want to get involved, check out the abundance of information on their website at http://www.nrahq.org/youth/index.asp.