Guest post sponsored by Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) written by Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
Looking for a unique summer activity? Check out the 2025 National Matches in Port Clinton!
The National Matches, featuring a month-long series of rifle and pistol events, have been held on the ranges of the Camp Perry National Guard Training Site since 1907 – fully steeped in history and teeming with opportunities for adults and juniors of all experience levels!
Come and simply observe or jump in and take part in the festivities. Even if you’ve never used a rifle or pistol before, there’s something for you at the annual National Matches!
The event is conducted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), partnered with the Ohio National Guard. The National Matches consists of the CMP National Trophy Pistol, Highpower Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, Mid-Range/Long Range Rifle and CMP Games Matches as well as the National Air Gun Championships.
This year, for the first time, all phases (with the exception of pistol) will be fired on CMP’s line of outdoor and indoor 
electronic targets! The eTarget system offers instant and precise shot scoring, displayed on LED monitors adjacent to each participant – enhancing the overall competition experience.
Along with fun and challenging competitions, the National Matches includes a variety of educational courses from beginner to expert, including a Rimfire Sporter Rifle Clinic, CMP Junior Rifle Clinic and a CMP Advanced Highpower Clinic. The 2025 lineup includes Small Arms Firing Schools for rifle, pistol and smallbore on safety and competition basics. The schools are led by expert military and CMP instructors, with all equipment provided!
If you want to avoid the heat of the outdoors or would like to start your marksmanship journey in a more leisurely setting, the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center offers an indoor electronic target range for air rifle or air pistol – with equipment available for rent!
Air guns are quiet, lightweight firearms that fire lead pellets (with zero recoil) and are the perfect way to learn the 
fundamentals of the sport. The Competition Center is open to the public all year long but features special events during the National Matches – and don’t forget about the facility’s Laser Shot Simulators for extra fun!
Additionally, the National Matches holds Commercial Row, where some of today’s leading industry vendors provide an assortment of supplies and other necessities available for purchase. The CMP North Store allows even more buying opportunities – offering surplus rifles, ammunition, memorabilia and equipment needs.
All events are open to the public and free for viewing. Spectators are welcome to observe firing on the Camp Perry ranges at any time, with ample parking on-site.
Come be part of the century-old tradition! Matches begin on July 9 and conclude on August 9. Learn more at https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/. See 
you there!
** IMPORTANT NOTICE **
During range firing at Camp Perry during the National Matches, the impact area is off limits to boaters and jet skis. Please review this safety information at https://thecmp.org/camp-perry-danger-zones/.
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