At Michigan Shooting Centers, we believe the future of the shooting sports starts with strong youth programs. Our youth teams — the Orion Mountaineers (Lake Orion / Bald Mountain Shooting Range) and the Island Lake Mariners (Brighton / Island Lake Shooting Range) — provide young athletes in 6th grade through high school with the opportunity to grow in skill, character, and confidence through competitive clay target shooting.

ABOUT OUR YOUTH SHOOTING TEAMS

The Orion Mountaineers and Island Lake Mariners are competitive youth clay target teams operated by the Michigan Shooting Centers Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Based out of our two premier facilities — Bald Mountain Shooting Range in Lake Orion and Island Lake Shooting Range in Brighton — our teams provide student-athletes in 6th grade through high school with a structured, safe, and inspiring introduction to competitive shooting sports.

As proud participants in the nationally recognized Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), our teams follow a proven framework built around safety, certified coaching, skill development, and positive competition. We believe shooting sports are one of the most powerful platforms for teaching focus, discipline, responsibility, and resilience — all within a team-centered environment that encourages camaraderie and personal growth.

Our athletes train under experienced, certified coaches who are committed not only to improving scores, but to developing character. While clay target shooting is an individual performance sport, our team culture emphasizes encouragement, accountability, and mutual respect. Athletes learn to set goals, handle pressure, celebrate improvement, and support one another both on and off the field.

We welcome shooters of all experience levels — from beginners picking up a shotgun for the first time to competitive athletes looking to refine their skills. With world-class facilities, organized practices, and weekend competitions throughout the season, our programs provide a clear pathway for development in a fun, family-friendly setting.

At Michigan Shooting Centers, our youth teams are more than just a seasonal activity — they are an extension of our mission to lead the way in shooting sports education in Michigan. Through the Orion Mountaineers and Island Lake Mariners, we are proud to help shape confident young athletes, responsible citizens, and the next generation of leaders in the shooting sports community.

SEASON & ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

Enrollment for both the Orion Mountaineers and Island Lake Mariners opens annually on March 1. We encourage families to enroll early, as team spots are limited and planning for uniforms, coaching assignments, and competition schedules begins immediately after registration.

Our youth shooting season officially begins the second week of April and runs through the end of June. This structured spring season allows student-athletes to fully engage in the program while balancing school, other sports, and family commitments.

Athletes can expect:

• One organized practice per week at their home facility (Bald Mountain in Lake Orion or Island Lake in Brighton)

• 2–3 weekend competitions per season, providing valuable match experience in a supportive, team-oriented environment

This schedule is intentionally designed to provide meaningful development and competitive opportunities without overwhelming families. Our goal is to create a program that is disciplined and structured — yet flexible, enjoyable, and sustainable for student-athletes.

By maintaining a focused spring season, we deliver a high-impact training experience that supports our broader mission: to be the leader in shooting sports education in Michigan while fostering sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth in every athlete we serve.

2026 PRACTICE SCHEDULE

The Orion Mountaineers and Island Lake Mariners practice weekly beginning on the second week of April and ending at the end of June for a total of 10 practice sessions. Below are the practice and tournament dates for both teams for the 2026 season:

• Orion Mountaineers (practices weekly on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM) – April 8, April 15, April 22, May 6, May 13, May 20, June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24
• Island Lake Mariners (practices weekly on Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM) – April 4, April 11, April 18, May 9, May 16, May 23, May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20

2026 COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Competitions are optional for athletes. The scheduled competition dates for the 2026 season are listed below:

• Orion Mountaineers (practices weekly on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM) – May 16 (Conference Championship), June 6-7 & June 27-28 (State Championship)
• Island Lake Mariners (practices weekly on Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM) – May 2 (Conference Championship), June 27-28 (State Championship)