The Sheep Show® Inspires the Next Generation
February 7, 2025
Bozeman, Montana. January 30, 2025. During the recent Sheep Show® in Reno, NV, the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) welcomed over 3,000 young people and their families to its annual Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE).
During the first two days, a record 1,029 local home and public school students were transported to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, home of the Sheep Show®, for a private, in-depth outdoor learning experience. Youth learned about the North American Modal of Wildlife Conservation, wild sheep conservation efforts, and the importance of responsible wildlife management. They also had the unique opportunity to listen in on seminars talking about careers in the outdoors, hopefully sparking an interest in entering this vital field of work in the future. Designed to excite and inspire, over 40 stations were open for kids to explore their outdoor passions.
The free event continued on Saturday, January 18th, and included 45 hands-on learning stations for families, including target and trap archery, fishing casting challenges, a rock climbing wall, pellet gun ranges, duck calling, a kayak pool, mini-hunter safety with a Laser Shot range, fly-tying, and so much more. At least 1,875 youth attended the Saturday event, but likely well over 2,000 when they stopped counting and opened the floodgates to the event. All who attended this event were also given free exhibit hall passes into the Sheep Show for the day.
In addition to YWCE, Brock hosts S.H.E.E.P (Shooting, Hunting, and Ethics Education Programs) for youth year-round. Over the years, this program has impacted the lives of over 110,00 youth. Since 2012, close to 20,000 youth have attended YWCE at the Sheep Show®.
Brock said, “At the end of the day, we’re striving to have a positive effect on the future of conservation. Inspiring the next generation of wildlife professionals is an important but often overlooked aspect of our conservation model. The Wild Sheep Foundation is committed to investing in the future of not only wild sheep but all wild animals and places by fostering the next generation of individuals who are called to conserve.”
For more information on YWCE and S.H.E.E.P, visit this link.
“In three days, at least 2,904 youth participated in the event,” said Dr. Ryan Brock, WSF’s Youth Education Coordinator. “This was a 5% increase from last year’s 2,754 individual kids. We finally had to swing the doors wide open and stop counting. All our volunteer instructors and myself were thrilled with the turnout.”
During the first two days, a record 1,029 local home and public school students were transported to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, home of the Sheep Show®, for a private, in-depth outdoor learning experience. Youth learned about the North American Modal of Wildlife Conservation, wild sheep conservation efforts, and the importance of responsible wildlife management. They also had the unique opportunity to listen in on seminars talking about careers in the outdoors, hopefully sparking an interest in entering this vital field of work in the future. Designed to excite and inspire, over 40 stations were open for kids to explore their outdoor passions.
The free event continued on Saturday, January 18th, and included 45 hands-on learning stations for families, including target and trap archery, fishing casting challenges, a rock climbing wall, pellet gun ranges, duck calling, a kayak pool, mini-hunter safety with a Laser Shot range, fly-tying, and so much more. At least 1,875 youth attended the Saturday event, but likely well over 2,000 when they stopped counting and opened the floodgates to the event. All who attended this event were also given free exhibit hall passes into the Sheep Show for the day.
“Our goal is to provide ample opportunities for youth to grow into a genuine love of nature,” Brock continued. “Some of the busiest stations were the herpetology lab, the falconry station, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s Operation Game Thief trailer. Given the opportunity for hands-on experiences with wildlife, we see that kids rarely shy away and want to get in there up close.”
In addition to YWCE, Brock hosts S.H.E.E.P (Shooting, Hunting, and Ethics Education Programs) for youth year-round. Over the years, this program has impacted the lives of over 110,00 youth. Since 2012, close to 20,000 youth have attended YWCE at the Sheep Show®.
Brock said, “At the end of the day, we’re striving to have a positive effect on the future of conservation. Inspiring the next generation of wildlife professionals is an important but often overlooked aspect of our conservation model. The Wild Sheep Foundation is committed to investing in the future of not only wild sheep but all wild animals and places by fostering the next generation of individuals who are called to conserve.”
For more information on YWCE and S.H.E.E.P, visit this link.
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