Building Grit, One Arrow at a Time: Inside the Illipah Youth Expo 2025
When the sun rose over the high desert of Illipah, Nevada, it didn’t just shine on sagebrush and mountain ridges—it lit up the faces of over a hundred kids ready to experience something real.
The Illipah Youth Expo 2025 wasn’t just another weekend event. It was a full-on immersion into the world of conservation, hunting heritage, outdoor skills, and personal grit. Hosted in partnership with WHIN (Wildlife & Habitat Improvement of Nevada) and the incredible support of the Nevada Trappers Association, the expo delivered something rare: an opportunity for youth to get their hands dirty and their hearts invested in the outdoors.
Traps, Targets & Teamwork
With a wide range of ages—from 5-year-olds picking up bows for the first time to teenagers setting their first predator traps—the Expo had something for everyone.
🦫 Trapping Education: Thanks to Joe and Neil from the Nevada Trappers Association, kids learned how to set footholds and cage traps, identify tracks, and understand the important role trappers play in wildlife management.
🏹 Archery Challenges: Our archery range was alive with arrows flying, bows bending, and young shooters discovering the patience and focus required to hit their mark. Many had never held a bow before. By the end of the weekend? Bullseyes.
🦌 Wildlife Talks & Conservation Stations: NDOW biologists, WHIN volunteers, and local sportsmen taught kids about habitat, animal behavior, and how they can be stewards of the land—not just users of it.
More Than Just Activities
This wasn’t just about showing up for a couple of hours and grabbing a snack. It was about building confidence, fostering community, and passing down traditions.
Families camped out under starry skies. Volunteers cooked over propane grills. Kids cheered each other on. There were dirt-streaked cheeks, tired legs, and huge smiles. The kind of weekend that reminds you what matters.
The People Who Made It Happen
We owe an enormous thank you to Joe and Neil from the Nevada Trappers Association. Without their time, knowledge, gear, and passion, this event wouldn’t have been possible. Their commitment to educating youth about responsible trapping and the role it plays in wildlife management is unmatched.
And to the dozens of volunteers, mentors, sponsors, and families who made the trek out to Illipah—thank you. Your presence helps create the kind of experiences that shape future hunters, conservationists, and leaders.