Youth Nationals

July 24 & 25, 2026

Hosted by the Mercer County Coonhunters Association
Greenville, Pennsylvania

GPS: 56 Henry Rd, Greenville, PA 16125

2026 Event Info

2026 Youth Nationals Event Ad (PDF)
Participation Waiver included - must be filled out and brought to the event.

Friday, July 24, 2026

Nite Hunt
Entries will be taken on the grounds. Prior qualification not necessary.
90-minute hunt
Entry Deadline: 8:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: $10

UKC-Licensed Bench Show
Judge: Jay Lahey
Entries will be taken on the grounds. Double Spotlight Series Points!
Entry Deadline: 5:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: $10

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Non-Licensed Bench Show
Judge: Todd Turner
Entries will be taken on the grounds. Prior qualification not necessary. Children may be assisted in getting dogs to the bench, but other than that must show (including gaiting the dog) without adult assistance. Classes will be based on the handler's age.
Entry Deadline: 4:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: $10

Nite Hunt
Entries will be taken on the grounds. Prior qualification not necessary.
90-minute hunt
Entry Deadline: 8:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: $10

Lodging

Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Greenville
(724) 558-4200

Quality Inn Hermitage South
(724) 418-2394

Hampton Inn & Suites Sharon
(724) 528-3030

Camping will be available for tent and self-contained unit setups.

Additional Details

Nite Hunts

Youth must be at least 5 years of age and no older than 17 to be eligible to participate in nite hunts, and must be capable of calling a dog struck and treed without assistance of a parent or guardian. Youth may be assisted with handling the dog physically. Youth who have reached their 18th birthday on the date(s) of this event are not eligible to compete.

Youth ages 5-12 and 13-17 to be drawn out separately in Junior and Senior Divisions. Each participant 13 years of age and under that is entered in the nite hunt must be accompanied by an adult other than those in the cast responsible for another youth. One set of 10 placements awarded each night based on score.

Crowning Junior & Senior National Hunt Champions
There will be a 60-minute Final Four Hunt in a late round on Saturday night to determine Overall Champion and Continuing Education Tuition Awards in the Senior Division. Youth must hunt complete hunt times both nights to be eligible for the Final Four. The highest combined double-cast win scores first, followed by single-night highest cast win score to make up the Final Four, if needed. Overall Champion and Continued Education Tuition Awards in Junior Division will be determined by the highest combined double-cast win score first, followed by single-night highest score, if necessary.

Senior Division Final Four Hunt Awards
1st Place - $3,000 Tuition Award, Senior Division National Championship Trophy, Jacket
2nd Place - $2,000 Tuition Award & Youth Nationals Final Four Plaque
3rd Place - $2,000 Tuition Award & Youth Nationals Final Four Plaque
4th Place - $2,000 Tuition Award & Youth Nationals Final Four Plaque

Junior Division Final Four Hunt Awards
1st Place - $1,000 Tuition Award, Junior Division National Championship Trophy, Jacket

Bench Show

Youth must be at least 5 years of age and no older than 17 to be eligible to participate in bench shows, and must be capable of showing their dog without assistance of a parent or guardian. Classes are determined by the age of the handler; 5-12 age classes will compete in the Junior Division; 13-17 age classes will compete in the Senior Division.

Classes are judged on showmanship. Age class winners to show in Finals of each division for Overall Junior Division and Overall Senior Division National Championship.

Crowning Junior & Senior National Show Champions
Junior & Senior Division Bench Show Class & Overall Awards
Senior Overall Division Winner - National Championship Trophy, Jacket
Junior Overall Division Winner - National Championship Trophy, Jacket
Class Winners - 1st Trophy, 2nd Red Ribbon, 3rd White Ribbon

Continuing Education Prize

UKC offers a total of $10,000 Continuing Education Tuition Prizes.

Purpose: The purpose of the Continuing Education Tuition Prize is to financially assist active, interested, and capable young hound enthusiasts with the burdening cost of continuing their education. The prize amount above will be held in a separate prize money account until the above named recipient makes application for the release of funds.

Payment: Prize money will be paid directly to the school upon written request of the prize recipient. A tuition billing from an accredited college, university, or trade/vocational school must accompany the written request. Under no circumstance may a Continuing Education Tuition Prize be transferred to another individual.

Deadline: The Continuing Education Tuition Prize must be redeemed by the recipient's 21st birthday. Prize money that has not been used by the recipient's 21st birthday will revert back to the UKC Youth Fund.

UKC Contact

Hunting Ops, 269.343.9020
huntingops@ukcdogs.com