4-H Venturers Program Teaches Leadership Through Adventure

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at 785-532-5806 or dosbourn@oznet.ksu.edu.

4-H Venturers Program Teaches Leadership Through Adventure – Spots Open For Summer Trip

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas 4-H and Boy Scout members who are looking for excitement and adventure during their summer break can participate in the 2006 Kansas 4-H Venturers program, June 24 to July 2.

This year’s theme is “Colorado Outdoor Extreme Adventure.” The outdoor experience will involve activities that are available in Colorado such as hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, camping, canoeing, kayaking, cave exploring and fishing.

2006 4-H Venturers Program: Schedule of Events

• Day 1 – Campers leave Manhattan and travel to Chatfield, Colo.

• Day 2 – Campers have the chance to shop and practice rock climbing at REI, a retail outdoor gear and clothing chain. Travel to Sylvan Lake State Park near Eagle, Colo.

• Day 3 – This day is available for whitewater rafting and rock climbing at Timberline Tours.

• Day 4 – Campers will travel to Flat Tops Wilderness, near Glenwood Springs, Colo., where they will spend the night at Coffee Pot Campground and hike the trails.

• Day 5 – Campers will travel to Supply Basin or White Owl Campground in Flat Tops Wilderness where they can hike, bike, canoe, kayak, or fish.

• Day 6 – Campers can explore areas of their choice. They can hike, bike, canoe, kayak, and fish or relax.

• Day 7 – Campers will travel to Glenwood Springs, where they will camp at Glenwood Canyon Resort. Later, they will take the Glenwood Caverns Cave tour and have the opportunity to shop, shower, eat dinner and relax in the Hot Springs pool.

• Day 8 – Teens will hike to Hanging Lake in the morning, then begin traveling back to Manhattan.

• Day 9 – Campers will return to Manhattan.

The trip will take place in the Glenwood Springs and Flat Tops Wilderness Area in central Colorado and is limited to 36 teens and adults.

“The 4-H Venturers program teaches leadership skills through teamwork,” said Deb Pryor, 4-H Venturers’ Action Team member. “It also teaches teens about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and outdoor skills such as using a compass, first-aid and safety, setting up a tent and outdoor cooking.”

A preliminary “Shakedown” on June 2-4 at Rock Springs 4-H Center, will give participants and adult leaders the chance to get to know each other before the trip, learn camping and outdoor skills and how to work together as a team.

The cost to attend the nine-day wilderness Venturers program and required “Shakedown” team-building experience is $500 and includes transportation, equipment fees, most meals and insurance. Campers must be age 14 or older by Jan. 1, 2006 to attend. Registration is due by April 1, 2006.

Registration forms and more information about the 4-H Venturers program can be found at www.kansas4h.org/venturers, or by calling Pryor at 785-532-5278 or Pat McNally at 785-532-5800.

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.