The sounds of multiple shotguns firing reverberated off nearby hills Saturday as the smell of spent gunpowder wafted through the ravines at Camp Geiger.

The dream that started to take shape 10 months ago became a reality on some of the southern acres that belong to the Boy Scout camp. This area hasn't been actively used for about 50 years or more, and all that remains along the trail are the stone foundations where cabins once stood.

Professional shooters, talented enthusiasts and local businessmen were on the trail Saturday, moving to each of the 12 stations on the range designed by David Miller, a professional shooter. The sporting clays range capitalized on the natural topography of Geiger's gullies and ravines. A shooter can walk 50 feet and it's a totally different setting.

"You don't see a lot of terrain like this for clay shooting," said Mike Childers, who drove over from Dawn, Mo., to participate in Saturday's events. Each of the shooting stations has two Promatic clay target launchers.

Neva Woody, a talented shooter from Cameron, Mo., thought the walkable course would be great for women and children.

"They are the future of the sport," Ms. Woody said.

Local businessmen were out early to see the new recreational facility. "I wanted to get a first-hand look at something that's going to be great for the entire community," said Todd Meierhoffer.

The new machines can throw a lot farther, and as the course is developed, they can be positioned wherever necessary in any season of the year, Mr. Miller said. "But right now, it's already a world-class shooting course," he added.

The course has safety reminders that are displayed prominently. In a related vein, 23 volunteers each paid $50 to take the National Rifle Association's safety course so they could qualify as range safety officers, said Jayson Persons, a St. Joseph police officer and the chief range safety officer at Camp Geiger.

Still to be constructed are several buildings that will support the range and a five-stand shooting platform. The goal is to develop a second range and to keep making the facility better, said Ken Baker, a local businessman and Scouting supporter.

The public will get its first chance to use the sporting clays range on Nov. 21.

Marshall White can be reached at marshall@npgco.com.