Youth Overview

BanGo Youth Programs

BanGoKids

BanGo formed in 2005 to promote and encourage Shooting and dog sports. Recognizing that youngsters are the future of this great sport, BanGo is far more than just another tournament organization and takes getting today's youth involved in the sport seriously. BanGo has always been 100% committed to increasing the popularity and excitement of the outdoors to a fast paced generation of youth.

In 2008, BanGo is developing the BanGomaster BanGoKids program, which is similar to the NFL punt, pass, and kick events. However, in BanGoKids the challenge is to Hide (blinds), Pop (safe gun handling) and Handle their dog to a flying target. Pop Gun category and shot gun category. Mastering these three techniques will give any Player the skills they need to hunt in the outdoors or be a BanGo tournament player. Scoring is based on a points system so the young players with the most points wins! Having kids win ribbons, prizes and scholarships, will make the BanGoKids program is the most successful youth shooting and hunting program in the world.

Participants will compete in local events conducted by an affiliated BanGo Federation club. Each local event has two winners, one in each age group. The winners then proceed to their respective state finals, where each state then determines two winners to represent their state at the National Semifinals. From the National Semifinals only 12 contenders will advance to the National Championship, which is conducted in conjunction with the BanGomaster World Championships each year. [One contender per each age group representing the Northern, Southern, Eastern, Mid-Atlantic, Western and Central Divisions]

Awards example:

$21,000 in academic college scholarships are awarded to the 12 finalists
$5,000: National Champion in each age group
$2,000: 2nd Place
$1,500: 3rd Place
$1,000: 4th Place
$500: 5th Place
$500: 6th Place

Junior BanGomaster Program

One of the most dynamic and exciting opportunities BanGo has created for Junior players is the Junior BanGomaster World Championship! Just like Mom or Dad competing in the BanGo Federation National Club competitions, this program allows junior members to compete in a club level, ultimately qualifying for their Junior BanGomaster Championship.

The competition program mirrors the BanGo tournament structure, with one exception. Junior BanGomasters do not have Divisional competitions due to age groups. Through competition, Junior BanGomasters can earn a birth to the Junior BanGomaster World Championship. And guess where this World Championship takes place? At the World Championship event. For two days, pro players competing in the World Championship serve as mentors and captains during the Junior BanGomaster World Championship. Pros are randomly paired with the junior competitors for the competition.

Day one is a practice day where both the Juniors and the Pros enjoy a day of shooting, retrieving, and learning from one another. Day two is the official Junior BanGomaster World Championship tournament day. Once the official tournament begins, the Junior BanGomasters set up blinds, run their own dog, load their gun and shoot the targets, with no input from the pros.

Cash, awards, prizes and scholarships are given to state and club chapters, contenders and families annually.

The Junior players earn their way to the Jr. BanGomaster World Championship and arrive by way of clubs located throughout America, Canada and Europe, children are taught to hunt better, safer and how conservation measures will ensure hunting for future generations.

Jr. Clubs are sponsored by adult Federation Clubs with members of the adult clubs acting as mentors and educators for these young outdoorsmen. Besides learning about BanGo, they also gain knowledge of how to manage Federation clubs through parliamentary procedure. Additionally, junior members gain skills from "How-To" Clinics, Educational Workshops based on conservation, good hunting ethics, and habitat restoration. Junior members also get involved with youth tournaments, BanGomaster BanGoKids programs and community service projects. It's easy to see that the future of the sport is going to be in well groomed hands.

It's not all about the competition though. BanGo is also the leader when it comes to having fun, educating youth and preserving the future of the sport. The BanGomaster Family Festival is a fun filled event. This event begins in 2008. We believe these events will become community favorites at every city. The Family Festival popularity will grow beyond the local community and draws neighboring cities outdoors for a wholesome recreational outlet that people just can't seem to get enough of.

BanGomaster Family Festival

The BanGomaster Family Festival is a highly visible event that will draw media.

Highlights of this event include an interactive showcase of BanGo Sponsors, product exhibits, giveaways, clowns, concession stands, interactive entertainment, games, music and the popular BanGoKids exhibition. Also in attendance at this event are the BanGomaster Tour Players for an exclusive photo opportunity and fan friendly autograph session. Conducted by BanGo staff and local volunteers, the BanGomaster Family Fest is an event that often begins a child's love for the sport of BanGo hunting.

Youth Membership & Master Player Program (MPP)

At BanGo, we want to provide the tools to help make any young players education a complete experience. This is now possible with the newly developed Youth Membership with the built-in Master Player Program (MPP). This dedicated youth membership is an exclusive membership aimed at making the young Player a Master Player, good enough to teach Mom or Dad a thing or two. This exciting program is designed to educate young players through self-paced home and internet-based training modules.

The Master Player Program is aimed at the youngest of BanGo members and offers its own benefits and rewards, but will benefit players at any age. The $15 membership includes a personalized certificate, instruction booklet that covers three skills and decals. As the skills are completed, the member places the decals over the corresponding skill on the certificate to track progress. Once the first three skills are completed, the member completes an included form and sends it to BanGo officials, who then send out instruction for the next three skills. A member earns a Master Player decal once all of the skills are completed, as well as an invitation to become a full BanGo member.

Many important skills are taught, including Gun safety, following target, keeping control of a dog, getting the most out of a dog, hard shots, Dog training, Bird types, conservation. Youth members will receive a BanGo patch and decal, official membership card, two issues of Junior BanGomaster magazine.