BY CALLIE LEHMAN, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
For Shawn and David Delker, the lessons learned at 4-H camp didn’t end when summer was over; they became a way of life. Now, through their support of the Leadership Initiative at Rock Springs Ranch, the Delkers are transforming those early experiences into opportunities for youth and adults across Kansas to grow as leaders and be Beyond Ready, equipped to lead, serve, and thrive in work and life.
“4-H taught me essential life skills and gave me new learning experiences in a safe and supportive environment,” Shawn reflected. “Those life skills often go overlooked, but they make all the difference in how we contribute to the world around us.”
David agreed, recalling how his early 4-H electric projects sparked a lifelong curiosity for technology that guided his career in electrical engineering. “That passion continues with me today,” he shared. “4-H taught me to learn by doing, and that same mindset has carried me through my professional and volunteer experiences.”
Their shared commitment to learning didn’t stop when their 4-H experiences came to an end. Both served as 4-H club leaders and mentors, helping guide the next generation of members. David’s time serving as a project leader and coaching judging teams sharpened leadership and communication skills that later proved invaluable in his role as a college administrator.
“More than once,” he laughed, “the parliamentary procedure I learned through 4-H impressed my colleagues when I chaired university committees. It’s amazing how those skills stay with you.”
When Shawn and David learned of the Leadership Initiative taking shape at Rock Springs Ranch, they saw a natural opportunity to support the next generation. For them, the initiative’s purpose of cultivating leadership and lifelong learning resonates deeply with their own values.
“This initiative will promote continued learning and personal growth,” Shawn said. “People operate at their best when they’re encouraged to grow, and Rock Springs Ranch offers the perfect setting to do that.”
David added that the environment at Rock Springs, surrounded by nature, provides space for reflection, teamwork, and connection, all essential ingredients for developing tomorrow’s leaders.
“We’re excited that this project will create
opportunities for youth and adults to learn from
one another and carry that energy back to their
own communities,” he said. “It’s about helping
people become Beyond Ready to lead, serve, and
thrive no matter where life takes them.”
Mindy R. Weixelman, President and CEO of
the Kansas 4-H Foundation, said the Delkers’
investment reflects the spirit of 4-H and the shared
vision of preparing youth for their future. “Shawn
and David embody what it means to live the 4-H
pledge, and they model that commitment for
others,” she shared. “Their generosity helps ensure
that 4-H youth and adults alike are Beyond Ready
and equipped with the confidence, character,
and purpose to make an impact in work, life, and
leadership.”
Through their gift, the Delkers are helping expand opportunities for leadership development at Rock Springs Ranch, ensuring that the next generation of 4-H members can experience the same sense of discovery that first inspired them decades ago.
“It’s really about giving others the same foundation we were given,” Shawn said. “Because when you invest in leadership, you invest in a future that’s Beyond Ready.”