I not so sure we are attracting the young group..the last ones to join the club I belong to were it the 45 to 55 age group..I started two years ago and I'm over 65, most of the 25 to 40 age are toooo busy raising kids and don't have the $$$ for our sport..
Just my 2 cents..CC
That's the ideology that will hurt us. If we see more kids, teens, and 20 year-olds on the range, then like minded folks will join us. NCOWS has become a great experience for my son and I. I'd much rather have Trevor out on the range shooting $2 worth of ammo at a 3 hour match, than see him sitting at home playing a $60 video game for 3 hours. I am happy that I am a member of an organzation that fosters kids his age to shoot.
Discretionary dollars for hobbies are all relative. I know folks who spend 10 times what we do on motorcycle hobbies. I also know IDPA shooters who have tricked-out auto pistols that cost 4 times what a new Uberti revolver does. It's all relative and more importantly
how you present the sport's start up costs to interested parties really helps retain folks interest. Everyone's income levels are different, but we all get to decide how and when to spend our "hobby dollars."
I do believe that folks in the firearm community view CAS/WAS as an "expensive" past time due to 1) "Four guns" 2) "Costumes" and 3) "Expensive antique ammo". Those are opinions I've heard numerous times when we talk to the shooting public at gun shows and such. When talking with folks, those three issues need to be addressed.
We as a group, need to stress avenues into the sport that minimize expense like working cowboy and purchasing used firearms through the local WAS community. Also, I stress to folks that they can always try out the sport with borrowed guns. Folks that enjoy the experience, quickly find a way to shunt some income toward gettting the necessary gear.
As with any organization or institution, if we are not growing then we are dying.