Rock Springs Showcases Adventure, Kansas History 8/25/05

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Kids who camp at Rock Springs 4-H Center may not realize how different their 4-H camp is from many other 4-H camps in the United States.

One difference is that the ranch property is nestled in Kansas’ scenic Flint Hills. It dates to 1857 – a stone wall, which supported logs in the cabin of its first owner, John Rekken, still stand. So does part of a farmhouse built in 1883; a small country church built in 1885 and a one-room school built in 1887. But, there’s more to the story...

Fun Facts About Rock
Springs 4-H Camp

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Visitors to the historic Rock Springs 4-H Center typically remark about its scenic setting, but may not know that it is a one-of-a-kind facility with some Kansas history of its own. Here’s a sampling of fun facts:

• The Rock Springs Ranch was bought by 4-H for $22,500 in the summer of 1945.

• In 1977, 2,000 sticks of dynamite were used to dig a 12- to 14-foot trench inside the rocky terrain for the construction of a new bath house.

• Heritage Hall was built in 1972 for $600,000.

• The director’s residence, which was completed in 1949, was built with concrete floors and metal studs.

• The ranch’s original silo was dismantled and reused to build sidewalks for the camp.

• The oldest part of the farm house, which still stands today, was built in 1883. More living quarters were added in 1920 and a dairy room and porch were added after World War II.

• The spring’s water wheel was built from the hub of an early day tractor.

• The spring supplies 1,000 gallons of water per minute at about 54 degrees and has never failed.

• A one-room school house built in 1887 is currently maintained for its historical value and for meeting groups.

• An 1885 country church is still available for worship services and holds up to 100 people.

• One stone wall still stands from a log cabin built in 1857 by the land’s first owner, John Rekken.

For more information about Rock Springs 4-H Camp and its facilities, interested persons can go to www.rocksprings.net. More information about Kansas 4-H programs is available at county and district K-State Research and Extension offices and on the 4-H Web site: www.Kansas4-H.org.

Kansas 4-H acquired Rock Springs Ranch in 1946, said Gordon Hibbard, president of the Kansas 4-H Foundation and former director of the camp and conference center. “4-H’s goal for the ranch was to offer one large camp rather than several smaller camps located throughout the state.”

In other states, multiple smaller 4-H camps are fairly typical. Kansas’ 4-H camp, which is a nearly 350-acre property, had been owned by C.E. Rugh, an Abilene, Kan. attorney, who had named the property Rock Springs Ranch after its natural spring. Local legend suggests that the water source attracted Spanish explorers to the area and still seems to fascinate campers today, Hibbard said. The spring, which supplies about 1,000 gallons of water at approximately 54 degrees F per minute, has never failed.

The cost to buy the property was $22,500. The Sears-Roebuck Foundation donated $25,000 in support of the 4-H camp, but, when 4-H members and volunteers learned that the money could not be used to purchase land, they worked to raise money for the purchase and used the donated money to construct the camp.

By request of the 4-H members, a swimming pool was the first structure built at the new camp site. Cottages and dining halls, horse stalls, a swimming pool bridge and central trail soon followed.

In 1955, thanks to financial support from Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Jellison of Junction City, Kan., the first meeting and conference areas were completed.

In, 1959, construction of summer shelters, meeting areas, the Kansas State Agricultural College Collegiate 4-H Shelter and the first winterized cottage was completed. The winterized cottage allowed for year-round activities and housed up to 40 people.

Today there are 11 winterized cottages and retreat lodges capable of housing a total of 376 people.

In 1968, the swimming pool bridge and central trail were named the Ewert Walk in honor of Leo Ewert who helped develop Rock Springs 4-H Camp.

In 1969, Kansas 4-H’s first land purchase after Rock Springs Ranch was the 17-acre Wa Shun Ga camp owned originally by Kansas Lutheran churches. The Wa Shun Ga property adjoins the original Rock Springs property.

In 1972, Heritage Hall, the largest Rock Springs building, was completed. Its 400-seat auditorium and lower level conference rooms make it a popular facility for large group sessions. It also features an exhibit gallery dedicated to displays of citizenship, free enterprise and American heritage education.

In 1976, Quinlan Circle was developed in honor of architect L.R. Quinlan. Quinlan strived to keep the natural beauty of the landscape by making sure all structures looked as if they belonged there naturally.

In 1986, another 50 acres that adjoined the west side of Rock Springs Camp was purchased from the Kind family.

In 1996, a sand filtration and water system capable of supplying 80,000 gallons a day was added.

In 1998, the Conference Auditorium was renamed the Eyestone Conference Building to honor Merle Eyestone, former Shawnee County, Kan. 4-H agent, director of Rock Springs at a time of growth and development and then executive director of the Kansas 4-H Foundation. The Earl Parsons Leadership Lodge also opened in 1998.

In 1999, a concrete storm shelter with exhaust vents and a back-up generator was completed.

In 2001, Kansas 4-H purchased the 320-acre Miller Ranch which adjoins Rock Springs 4-H Center.

“Rock Springs 4-H Center is the largest privately operated facility of its type in the United States,” Hibbard said. “The contrasting landscape, native grasses and 300-year-old trees make it a truly beautiful jewel all Kansans can use and enjoy.”

For more information about Rock Springs 4-H Camp and its facilities, interested persons can go to www.rocksprings.net.

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.