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Turpin Outdoor Education Center

The Nebraska Game and Parks Turpin Outdoor Education Center, formerly the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center or NOEC, offers a unique combination of shooting and archery ranges and educational programming. The center offers indoor and outdoor archery ranges and an indoor firearm range, as well as educational classes, day camps, workshops, special events, and instruction for all ages and skill levels.

Indoor archery range

  • $3 per hour per lane for students
  • $10 per hour per lane for adults
  • $30 per 30-day pass
  • $120 annual pass, individual
  • $150 annual pass, family
  • $100 annual pass, student
  • $2.50 per person for rental of bows and arrows

Indoor firearm range

  • $5 hour per lane for students
  • $10 per half hour per lane for adults
  • $15 per hour per lane for adults
  • $10 per second patron per lane
  • $40 per 30-day pass
  • $200 annual pass, individual
  • $250 annual pass, family
  • $100 annual pass, student
  • $5.50 per person for small bore rifle rental with 25 rounds

Outdoor archery range

  • 15 and younger: Free
  • $3 per hour for those 16 and older
  • $40 annual pass, individual
  • $60 annual pass, family

Classroom use

Three media-ready classrooms, 30-by-30 feet or 90-by-30 feet combined, can be rented for meetings and other events. Contact the Turpin Center for pricing and availability.

Total shooting sports package Includes unlimited access to all three ranges with no additional general shooting costs

  • $50, 30-day pass
  • $100, student annual pass
  • $300, individual annual pass
  • $350, family annual pas

Monday: Noon – 8 p.m.
Tuesday: Noon – 8 p.m.
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Noon – 8 p.m.
Friday: Noon – 8 p.m.
Saturday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.

The Turpin Center’s outdoor archery range is open from sunrise to sunset 365 days a year.

For special events and closures check our events calendar.

Ranges

Indoor firearm range

The state-of-the-art indoor firearm range features 10 lanes, year-round climate control, electronic target retrieval, and long benches for rifles and muzzleloaders. Ammunition is subject to inspection (steel core/steel jacketed ammunition is not permitted).

  • Up to 25 yards
  • Rifles up to .30/06 Springfield
  • Handguns up to .44 Rem Mag
  • Ages 8 and up

Indoor archery range

The 32-lane archery range offers a variety of targets and distances perfect for enthusiasts, hunters and competitors. Rental bows with basic instruction are available to the general public.

  • Up to 25 meters (30 yards)
  • Bullseye & 3D targets
  • Ages 6 and up

Outdoor archery range

The outdoor range offers target archery with targets from 10 to 60 yards, with a roving field course under construction.

  • Target archery: 10 to 60 yards
  • Broadhead practice target

Programming

The Turpin Outdoor Education Center offers a variety of outdoor skills programs throughout the year. View a full list of programs here.

A female staff member laughs at her sling shot aim during the ancient hunting techniques portion of the Outdoor Explorer's camp.

Day camps

There are six camps open from late May through July at the Turpin Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln, all geared toward kids looking to explore the natural world and learn outdoor skills.

A group of kids line up with archery equipment while competing in an outdoor archery tournament at NOEC

Archery and shooting sports tournaments

The Turpin Outdoor Education Center hosts various archery and shooting sports tournaments designed for expert and novice shooters alike.

Workshops and classes

Workshops and classes

The Turpin Outdoor Education Center offers Hunter Education classes, hunting and trapping workshops, rifle sight-ins, firearms classes, archery fun shoots and many other educational opportunities.

Archery instruction

The Turpin Center offers the following events, classes and resources for those interested in learning the basics or archery or honing their skills. View a schedule of all archery instruction classes in the online event schedule.

When: Every Tuesday night, 6 to 8 p.m. during fall and spring semesters

Come join us at the Turpin Center every Tuesday night this semester to work on YOUR archery skills! Bring your own equipment or use facility equipment at no additional cost. Coaches and range safety officers are available for beginners and those seeking shooting advice.

Pricing: $5 per Tuesday or purchase a student annual pass for $100; annual passes are good during all public hours and are unlimited in use. 

(Must Show Valid College ID)

Explore Archery is perfect for youth ages 8 and up looking to learn the basics of archery. Students learn archery fundamentals, range safety and proper shooting form, play exciting games and earn achievement awards. Equipment is provided.

Cost is $60 for 8 weeks. Membership in USA archery is available for those who wish to participate in the award program.

Call the center to learn about upcoming sessions.

Junior Olympic Archery Development, also known as JOAD, is a USA Archery-sanctioned 10-week program intended for young archers ages 8 to 20 interested in developing their archery skills. Alongside the youth program, adult archery instruction is available. This fun and extremely popular program offers expert instruction, skills training and games designed to challenge students and help them develop their form, as well as achievement awards.

Cost is $60 per quarter. Equipment is provided. Membership in USA Archery is required.

Call the center to learn about upcoming sessions.

The Turpin Center offers individual instruction for those looking for specialized instruction and scheduling flexibility. Call the center for details and pricing.

Firearm instruction

The Turpin Center offers the following firearm events, classes and resources for those interested in learning the basics or honing their skills. View a schedule of all firearm instruction classes in the online event schedule.

When: Thursday night, 6 to 8 p.m.

Take your first shots with us! The biggest challenge for new shooters is getting started. First Shots makes getting started in shooting very easy. At a First Shots seminar, you’ll receive:
-An educational introduction to the safe and recreational use of firearms
-Individual and group training
-A rundown of shooting sports opportunities for all levels of interest
-A chance to give shooting a try!

All equipment is provided.

Closed-neck shirts and closed-toe shoes are recommended.

(Students age 18 and under MUST be accompanied by legal parent/guardian.)

Pricing: $10/person

Ever wanted to learn how to shoot? Want to learn a little bit about rifles? Not sure where to begin?

Try Rifle is your place to start!

This safe and first-time friendly program covers basic safety rules, handling demonstrations, and starter techniques. Participants get to shoot on the range as part of this one-hour class! And whether rifle shooting turns out to be your thing or not, students walk away with the ability to be safe and have fun wherever adventure takes them next.

All equipment provided. Open to both kids (8 and up) and adults – ideal for families.

Pricing: $10/person

Looking for a good way to introduce your child to the lifelong habits of safe gun handling and the basic concepts of marksmanship? Whether your child is interested in recreation, competition, or hunting, this class is where they need to be! Explore Rifle is a 4-week course designed for youth ages 8-10, but open to those up to 15. Youth 7 & under are not permitted.

Explore the center

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Nebraska Outdoor Education Center

4703 N 44th St.
Lincoln, NE 68504