CONSERVATION EDUCATION
Jonathan Swart sits proudly over magnificent sheep (see story in his words on the next page).
by Ryan Brock WSF Youth Education Coordinator
T
INSPIRING YOUTH IS ON THE RISE
he saying, “April showers brings May flowers” is often referred to during those spring months when the weather warms and moisture falls from the skies to green up the land. However, when it comes to youth events this spring, we have seen a dramatic up-tick in the number of events we have been able to organize and get involved with, and a more truthful saying in relation to youth and the outdoors may be, “as events start to grow, the kids will show”. It’s true, as more gatherings have been able to occur across the nation, we have been able to be involved with educating and inspiring more kids than we have in two years. It has been as refreshing as the spring weather to see all the
112 WILD S HEEP® ~ SUMMER 2022
Chapter & Affiliates holding their banquets this spring. The Wild Sheep Foundation was invited to create fun learning opportunities at eleven of our chapter and affiliates. Each of these youth events were unique, based on the banquet itself. With the addition of community events that also increased, just about every weekend this late winter and spring had some sort of youth event occurring that WSF was involved with. One new experience worth mentioning was teaming up with Morr Range in Lancaster, PA. Each year WSF is invited to put together a Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE) to go along with the Hunting & Outdoor Expo
Eastern WSF holds. This year, after the event, we reached out to the couple hundred youth who attended and offered those 10-17 years old a youth firearms safety course at Morr Range. Youth received classroom instruction time first, followed by range time shooting twenty-twos in their indoor range. This was our first time creating an extension event after Eastern’s Expo to youth who attended the YWCE. Over 1,500 more kids were engaged with WSF’s youth events and educational experiences this past year compared to the previous year. Although every event is unique, each Shooting, Hunting, & Ethics Education Program (S.H.E.E.P.) event is designed to excite and
