On Saturday, October 5, 2002 the Guthsville Rod & Gun Club hosted its first ever Ladies Day. This event was sponsored by the Second Amendment Sisters and The Patrick Henry Center for Individual Liberty and supported by generous donations from The Firearms Broker and Kiefer's Gun Shop.
The event was highly structured with three separate sessions (8:45am, 11:45am, 1:45pm) with two stages (Cowboy, Pistol) for each session. A total of 141 women registered for the 144 available spots.
Each session began at the indoor range with sign-in, issuing earplugs and safety glasses, and an exercise to determine each participant's dominant eye. Then the ladies were divided into two groups one of which started the session at the Cowboy stage while the other started at the Pistol stage. Half way through their two hour session the two groups swapped stages.
Cowboy Stage pictures
Pistol Stage pictures
What the ladies had to say about Ladies Day:
What a wonderful, instructional and exciting event! It was exceptionally well-organized. Those who volunteered their services to assist in training and instructing we ladies were absolutely wonderful people! I listened to the comments of many of the women surrounding me as the event came to an end - there was not a single negative comment made, and in fact, every lady, including myself, walked away from this event with far more knowledge and confidence, and far less fear of handling a gun.The general consensus from each lady with whom I shared conversation was that they were indeed very happy to have had the opportunity to attend such an informative event, and to familiarize themselves with handling a weapon safely and comfortably. The efforts of your wonderful staff of volunteers in organizing Ladies Day was nothing less than phenomenal. -- Barbara
My friend Yvonne came with me to Ladies Day. She had a life long fear of guns. Ladies Day was a great confidence builder for her. The instructors were so very kind and patient with Yvonne, I was amazed! I can't help but think that if any one opposed to guns happened to come to Ladies Day, their views would be turned completely around. The safety and skill of the instructors was really something to see. Thank you so very much for bringing a day of joy to my very dear friend. -- Gail
Just wanted to thank you for the enjoyable day. I came home with my bull's eye and my paper shot up and my husband's comment was "You're good!" I said, "I know" and that was that. Guess who's getting a Glock for Christmas! Thanks again. -- Jodi
When I checked your web site, which was very well done and very thorough, I could tell your organization was likely "on the ball". The event was highly well organized right down to the signs that directed us all down the winding roads. GRGC is a nice place in a lovely setting. The staff was friendly and helpful---AND patient w/ all the women, many of whom never held a gun before. I'm glad I came to the event and I certainly did enjoy it. THANK YOU ALL who made it a fun day. -- Maureen
I literally had a 'blast' at the Ladies Day on 10/5. I had a great Glock 9mm instructor, Dave. He not only taught well, but helped me feel confident shooting. I also enjoyed the Cowboy Action shooting. It was an experience I probably wouldn't have had anywhere else. I liked the individual instruction during all shooting and the fact that there were so many volunteers around for questions and answers... also inspiration! -- Danette
I thought it was a great day and very well organized. The instructors took the time with each individual person and made them feel confident in handling the guns and were very thorough talking about the safety aspects. -- Rosemary
I thought you people were terrific. Everyone was polite, professional, and considerate. What a bargain for $15. I certainly hope you make this an annual event. -- Lee
I just want to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed myself on Saturday. I found it a very informative experience. All your volunteers were very patient and helpful. The coaches were excellent and put us at ease while giving us some very valuable experience. Thank you for the opportunity to learn and experience something new. -- Kathy
Just a note to let you know how much I really enjoyed Ladies Day at Guthsville Rod and Gun Club. Thank you to all who helped make the day very enjoyable. The training we received before we handled a loaded gun was excellent. The instructors were great with explanations and demonstrations. It really was a lot of fun. -- Julie
The program was great, very well organized and the trainers were very good. The people involved with the "Cowboy Shooting" were very enthusiastic. Your mailed directions were excellent and very classy. The computer payment method was easy and efficient. Thank you for a terrific program. -- Merry
I attended the Ladies Day at Guthsville Rod & Gun Club. There were a total of 141 woman who showed up with or without any prior experience with guns and went home feeling a sense of accomplishment. It was a great experience, well organized and safety minded. Thank you Guthsville for an enjoyable event. -- Jodi
I just wanted to say thanx to all the volunteers and everyone who made ladies day possible. I read the ad in the Morning Call and it seemed like it would be interesting. Boy, was that an understatement! Not only was it interesting and informative but it was great fun. I will highly recommend this event to friends. -- Adrienne
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn the basics of shooting at your club. I hope you will let me know about any future events - this day sparked an interest in learning more about shooting. One thing I found out is that shooting could be a fun activity as well as one that might be necessary to know in the future. -- Ann
I am from the New Jersey group and we had a super time. I thought it was great fun. All the volunteers were absolutely wonderful and very very helpful. I heard about this from a co-worker who lives in the Stroudsberg area. His wife and daughter attended the shoot also. You're all a great bunch of people and if I lived closer, I'd have signed up to be a member. -- Linda
It was a wonderful event and one that people like myself have been waiting for forever. It was well run and organized and I hope you consider having another one next year. You did the ladies of this area a great service. I for one, feel a lot more comfortable using a pistol and I listened to several ladies comment on how much fun it was shooting. Thank you again for a great program. -- Nancy
I wanted to let you know that I had a wonderful time and thought you all did a terrific job putting this event together. I will tell others what a great experience it was and encourage them to try it out next time! -- Melissa
The Woodbridge NJ group of Ladies that attended had a blast - In fact we have all decided to pursue this closer to home. We really appreciated the patience of the volunteers and their enthusiasm. I personally had never fired a gun before so I was a bit apprehensive, but once I had some instruction I was comfortable and did fairly well. I think you all did a wonderful job in planning, organizing and SAFETY. -- Kelly
Vanessa and I enjoyed ourselves so much, we're looking forward to the next Ladies Day. The coaches were great. Friendly and very helpful and not at all condescending as I feared they might be. A few friends have asked us to let them know when the next one is being held. THANK YOU for a very enjoyable morning. -- Debbi
All the instructors and volunteers were excellent. I would recommend the program to anyone interested in learning. -- Wendy I just wanted to say thank you for the ladies day event, it was great! It was extremely well organized and well done! There was a volunteer coach for every lady, wow! It was great, enjoyable, fun, and comfortable. Superb experience . . . great job! -- Christine
I enjoyed Ladies Day very much. I thought it was great that we got to shoot different kinds of guns. I liked the instructors also. -- Kristen
Personally, Ladies Day was a very good experience for me. It allowed me to try something that I wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity to attempt. It was a very worthwhile experience for me, and I'm very appreciative that you gave us the opportunity. -- Karen
Just a note to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed Ladies Day at the Guthsville Rod & Gun Club. It was my first experience of this type and ALL of you made me feel very comfortable & relaxed. I had alot of fun!!! I would definitely do it again. -- Glorinda
I knew it would be interesting, but I didn't know that it would be so much fun!! The instructors were all so knowledgeable and were not the least bit threatening to us "first-timers". I know it takes so much planning and organization to run a program like this for so many people, but everything seemed to flow very smoothly and your volunteers and instructors were top-notch. -- Rebecca