Special Youth Challenge (SYC) of Iowa is a 501C3 nonprofit Christian based ministry designed to teach and assist youth with special challenges to participate in and enjoy shooting sports in God's great outdoors. SYC provides training and other necessary aides to help the hunters achieve this goal at no cost to them. There are three events held each year; a turkey hunt in the spring, a fundraiser in August, and a deer hunt in September.
Our Vision:
Youth with special challenges are often left behind because of their disability. They only hear about the exciting times their friends and families experience while hunting in the outdoors. With training and special equipment SYC helps diminish the handicap by empowering them to succeed. Volunteers instruct the youth, and their family members about ways in which they can hunt safely and use a firearm. Each hunter is given every opportunity to meet the challenge of the hunt and keep the memories of a lifetime.
Our Mission:
To empower physically challenged youth to enjoy hunting and the shooting sports by helping them overcome barriers found in the outdoors. This is done through the use of special methods, equipment, and assistance from volunteers who desire to share their passion for shooting and hunting. SYC hunters have a physical challenge, special need or have (had) a life threatening disease or injury.
Testimonials:
"These hunters and volunteers for Special Youth Challenge Ministries are amazing and I am so glad I got the opportunity and hope there are many more to come."
SYC Guide
"We had such a wonderful time. So much love and caring went into making the weekend so special. Mitchell has a memory he will cherish for a lifetime and so do we. We look forward to coming back. Thank you for the fellowship and the time together."
SYC Hunter's Mom
"SYC has helped me realize that just because I am in a wheelchair I can do things that I thought I couldn't. SYC has helped me think of myself differently because I use to think that I couldn't do many things, but SYC showed me I can. I think all kids should think about what they think, they think they can't do and try to do it. I will always remember SYC for how they helped change my life."
