<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625004047058.jpeg" alt="4-H campers participate in lunchtime activities at Rock Springs Ranch on Friday. RSR leadership, the K-State 4-H Foundation and Kansas 4-H are planning several changes to take effect for next summer’s camp season.&nbsp;(Photo courtesy of Wade Weber)." />
 <figcaption>4-H campers participate in lunchtime activities at Rock Springs Ranch on Friday. RSR leadership, the K-State 4-H Foundation and Kansas 4-H are planning several changes to take effect for next summer’s camp season.&nbsp;(Photo courtesy of Wade Weber).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Responding to the needs of Kansas families, program changes are coming to Rock Springs camps&nbsp;</h2>MANHATTAN — Over the last 75 years, thousands of Kansas 4-H’ers have enjoyed the traditional three-day, four-night Rock Springs Ranch experience of a county-wide camp that included activities such as horseback riding, archery, swimming, crafts, campfires, talent shows and leadership experiences. &nbsp;Changes to expand and diversify camp program options are coming next year, according to Kansas 4-H Foundation president Jake Worcester.&nbsp;Beginning in 2022, parents and their youth will be able to select from an expanded calendar of camp experiences.&nbsp;“In the past, families were given one set of dates that their youth could attend camp,” Worcester said. “Looking ahead, there will be options for a traditional experience as well as longer experiences and additional leadership development opportunities &nbsp;Through these experiences, Worcester said, he hopes youth from age seven through their college years will stay connected to 4-H activities and development opportunities Rock Springs Ranch. &nbsp;“Next year families will have 7 to 8 weeks that they can choose from for a camp experience,” Worcester said. Those new dates and registration information will be posted on the&nbsp;<a href="https://rockspringsranch.org/" target="_blank">Rock Springs Ranch website</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 1.&nbsp;Along with the scheduling changes, there will also be program changes to ensure a high-quality camp experience, said Wade Weber, Kansas 4-H program leader.&nbsp;“We’ve looked to our peers in the camping industry and monitored the landscape of our professional programming,” he said. “There have been changes in youth development when it comes to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for young people.” &nbsp;A task force has been working for more than two years to implement purposeful changes to enable 4-H youth to have the highest-quality camp experience possible, Weber said. &nbsp;To learn more about the 4-H camp experience, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://rockspringsranch.org/" target="_blank">rockspringsranch.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas4-h.org/" target="_blank">kansas4-h.org</a>.&nbsp;

4-H camp expanding and diversifying in 2022