by John Cramblet, Vice President – Sportsmen for Youth

Sportsmen for Youth – Youth Day is always held on the first Saturday after Labor Day which was September 7, 2019 this year.  Youth Day is held at Muskegon County Fairgrounds, 2261 Heights Ravenna Road, Fruitport, Michigan.   This was our 27th year.  The gates opened at 9am and closed at 3pm.  This is a free family event to introduce our youth to the many activities available to them in the great outdoors, however only youth under 17 years of age can participate in the activities.  Persons over 17 are welcome to sit in on all the seminars.   Each youth participating received a t-shirt and a ticket for lunch, while supplies lasted, and a raffle ticket.

This year we received commitments from the following exhibitors:   the rock climbing wall, the Coast Guard Axillary and a vessel from Coast Guard Station, Muskegon, the Critter Barn, Muskegon Conservation Club, Grand Haven/Grand Rapids Steelheaders with their fishing simulator, Friends of Ottawa County Parks, Jumpn’ Jupiter Skate Center, a wood carver, Coopersville Sportsmen Club, Michigan United Conservation Club, a reptile display and the USS LST393.  There was once again the trout pond put on by Michigan Anglers Assoc. with 1000 trout for the youth to catch.  This year we hosted the Hawg Trough again, however this one was 50 feet in length.  The Hawg Trough is an aquarium mounted on a semi-trailer and was stocked with native fish for viewing.  It is also used as the stage for various expert fishermen to speak from.  There was also mentored shooting of firearms and archery equipment.  Attendees were also able to experience various safety exhibits, demonstrations and tours of fire trucks, EMT vehicles and law enforcement displays.