LOAD 'EM UP: Ava Cauley loads her weapon to blast a few more clays.

THOMASVILLE — Thomas County YoungLife hosted their first ever Clays for Camp event at the Ranges at Oakfield on Thursday afternoon. The event was a rousing success with participants sharing food, conversation and the occasional shell. Clay shooting teams from around the area, including a team that featured local high schoolers Parker Lee and Ava Cauley, shifted from station to station blowing clay pigeons out of the sky.

“It was a great day,” said YoungLife Area Director Cole Ramaekers as shotgun fire rang out around the range. “We were blessed with some beautiful weather, had a great turn out. The Ranges are great, accommodating all of us and setting everything up. It went as good as it could have gone.”

Teams started at one of ten stations and were allowed to shoot several pairs of clays. The event ended as each participant who entered the raffle stepped up to the long bird station. This afforded them the opportunity to win prizes like a three night stay at Hemlock Creek cabin and an e-bike from Elevate E-bikes. The long bird is a very difficult clay to hit as it travels high and far and requires precise shooting. Cauley was able to strike down three of her five long birds.

Of course, the purpose for all of this was to give kids the opportunity to go to YoungLife camp and spread the message of the Gospel.

“I think its two fold,” said Ramaekers “We get a bunch of men and women out here to hear more about the ministry but also just glorify God while we do it. It’s pretty special.”

This was the first annual Clays for Camp event but it certainly won’t be the last. Thomas County YoungLife is already thinking about hosting the event next year, as this year’s event resulted in 10 kids being afforded the opportunity to attend camp.

“That’s the hope,” Ramaekers said. “I think everyone’s excited. Hopefully we’ll get some more out here next time and continue to build on with it. We absolutely are going to do it again.”