Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Read the full announcement of the decision to explore the transfer of ownership of Rock Springs Ranch at:
www.kansas4hfoundation.org/news/kansas-4-h-foundation-explores-potential-transition-rock-springs-ranch-ownership-strengthen
Will 4-H Camp still be held at Rock Springs Ranch?
Yes. Plans are in place for 2026 summer camp. All youth programming, camp experiences, and staffing for the 2026 season will continue as planned with no interruption. As part of exploring a potential ownership transition, we are prioritizing a partner who will provide continued access for future camping programs.
What happens to the camp staff and horses this summer?
Staff and horses are hard at work gearing up for summer camp! Campers this summer can expect the horse program along with many other favorite camp activities such as archery, swimming, adventure course, and ziplines, etc.
Is Rock Springs Ranch being sold?
The Foundation is currently in an exploratory phase to evaluate potential ownership or operational transition options. No decisions have been made. We are actively seeking potential partnerships that could support continued access while reducing long-term operational responsibility.
What does “exploring a transition” mean?
It means evaluating whether a third-party partner could assume ownership or operational responsibility for Rock Springs Ranch while allowing Kansas 4-H continued access. This phase includes analysis, partner identification, and feasibility review. It is not a finalized transaction.
What is the timeline for a decision?
There is no fixed timeline at this stage. The process is being conducted carefully and will include multiple evaluation steps. Updates will be shared as meaningful milestones are reached.
Why is the Kansas 4-H Foundation exploring options to transition ownership of Rock Springs Ranch?
Operating a 500+ acre facility with aging infrastructure carries significant and ongoing costs. Over time, maintenance, utilities, staffing, and compliance needs have created a structural financial imbalance that has gradually limited our ability to direct philanthropic resources toward youth programming across the state.
Has this financial challenge developed recently?
No. This is a long-standing structural condition that has developed over multiple decades and reflects the cumulative cost of operating a large, aging facility.
Why not simply fundraise to preserve Rock Springs Ranch?
Rock Springs Ranch is a deeply valued asset, and philanthropic support plays an important role in sustaining programming. However, the scale of long-term operating and maintenance needs cannot be fully addressed through traditional fundraising or capital campaigns alone. Even significant fundraising would primarily address maintenance and near-term needs, without resolving the ongoing structural operating imbalance.
What would it take to “save the ranch”?
Sustaining Rock Springs Ranch under the current ownership model would require a significant level of permanently endowed support. For this reason, the Board is focused on long-term solutions that ensure youth programming remains strong, accessible, and financially sustainable for generations to come.
What does it mean that Rock Springs Ranch “operates like a small city”?
Rock Springs Ranch is a place unlike any other in Kansas. The size, variety of programs, and number of guests it serves each year are part of what make it so special.
That same scale also means the property functions much like a small town. With its own water treatment plant, sewer treatment plant, electrical grid, over 450 beds, and more than 40 buildings, Rock Springs Ranch requires large amounts of ongoing maintenance to essential systems to serve even a single Kansan.
Caring for a property of this size requires significant, ongoing investment to ensure it remains safe, well-maintained, and ready to deliver high-quality experiences. That reality is an important part of the long-term sustainability considerations being evaluated.
How does Rock Springs Ranch fit into the Kansas 4-H Foundation’s mission today?
Rock Springs Ranch continues to play an important role in the Kansas 4-H experience, especially through summer camp. For generations, camp has been an essential part of the 4-H experience, helping young people build confidence, develop leadership skills, and form lasting friendships. That experience remains a priority. 4-H values are woven into daily camp programming. Examples of this include reciting the 4-H pledge at the morning assembly, celebrating 4-H values through the Otis E. Hall Award (Kansan and author of the National 4-H pledge), and developing leadership skills to take back to their communities and beyond. For some Kansas youth, summer camp at Rock Springs Ranch serves as a recruitment tool by providing an introduction to 4-H. Rock Springs Ranch partners with local Extension agents to encourage future families to join a 4-H club in their area.
As the Kansas 4-H Foundation looks to the future, the focus is on ensuring meaningful camp experiences continue while also strengthening support for 4-H programming across the state. This work is about expanding impact, not stepping away from it.
Does this affect 4-H programs across Kansas?
No. Kansas 4-H programming continues across all 105 counties. Supporting youth development statewide remains the Foundation’s core mission and highest priority.
Will Kansas 4-H still be involved with Rock Springs Ranch long-term?
The goal is to maintain a strong programmatic connection through continued access agreements and ongoing collaboration, even if ownership or operational responsibility changes.
What is the Kansas 4-H Foundation’s priority moving forward?
Our priority is ensuring that Kansas 4-H youth experiences remain strong, accessible, and well-supported, while aligning operational models to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
Is the Kansas 4-H Foundation failing?
No. This is a proactive strategic realignment designed to strengthen long-term financial sustainability and ensure continued and expanded investment in youth development across Kansas.
What is guiding this decision?
The Board is focused on ensuring that Kansas 4-H remains financially strong, mission-driven, and positioned to invest in youth programming across all 105 counties. This process is about aligning long-term resources with long-term impact for Kansas youth.
What happens to donations designated to Rock Springs Ranch?
Donor-restricted funds remain intact and are used as intended to support camp operations and youth programming. All Foundation funds, endowments, and restricted accounts remain secure and protected. Philanthropic support to Rock Springs Ranch directly funds this summer camp’s operations, including programming and camper experiences. These funds help ensure camp is safe, well-maintained, and fully prepared to serve youth throughout the season. As a result of careful financial stewardship, the Foundation’s operating funds, endowments, and donor-restricted funds remain intact and highly secure.
Why is the Foundation still asking for donations?
The Kansas 4-H Foundation continues to support youth across the state every day. Philanthropic support remains essential to delivering high-quality 4-H experiences, from summer camp at Rock Springs Ranch to programs in all 105 counties.
Gifts today help deliver this summer’s camp experience and strengthen statewide programming that prepares Kansas youth to be Beyond Ready for work and life. 4-H camp simply wouldn’t be possible without the generous annual support from the 4-H family now and in the future.
What will happen to named buildings, spaces, and donor recognition at Rock Springs Ranch?
We recognize that named spaces and donor recognition at Rock Springs Ranch reflect meaningful philanthropic investment and are an important part of the Ranch’s history.
At this time, no decisions have been made regarding how named spaces would be addressed under any future transition. As part of the exploratory process, we are carefully considering how to appropriately honor donor intent and existing recognition agreements.