KANSAS 4-H TRADITIONS Executive director focuses on

BY LAKIN CHERRY, CRAWFORD COUNTY 4-H ALUMNA

Rock Springs Ranch has been around for nearly 8 0 years making a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of campers, visitors, guests and staff. Steve Maynard began his new role as Rock Springs Ranch’s executive director in January and he plans to continue that legacy.

Before coming to Rock Springs, Maynard and his family lived and worked at many different camps. For six and half years, Steve led a camp outside of Springfield, Missouri. After that, Maynard and his wife, Wendy, then moved to South Carolina doing some brief work at some great camps but they were waiting for the right camp opportunity to present itself.

When Steve saw the opening for Rock Springs Ranch executive director role, he said it was the right opportunity at the right time for him and Wendy.

“We met the terrific staff team as well as toured the facilities and the environment around there was incredible. There are so many opportunities for youth to learn environmental education on the ranch,” Maynard said.

There was a lot of forethought put together when they created Rock Springs Ranch. With the Riley Wallace building, there are 35 different meeting rooms to help accommodate a variety of different groups. So, when companies want to come to Rock Springs Ranch for a retreat, there is plenty of space for them. As well as Spencer Auditorium that has more than 4 00 theater seats, Maynard said.

“Rock Springs Ranch is a not only a great facility, but a great program building on the 4-H values of head, heart, hands and health. That also accompanies the tradition here at Rock Springs for both with summer camps and conference retreats,” Maynard said.

The fundamentals that the 4-H program have play a key role at Rock Springs Ranch in everything they do. When attending an event at Rock Springs Ranch you are given the opportunity to understand the four H’s -- head, heart, hands and health.

The underlying mission of Rock Springs Ranch is to give every child, leadership groups or adult groups the chance to learn these 4-H values as they experience Rock Springs Ranch.

As the executive director, Maynard’s role is different from a camp director. The executive director supervises all the departments that keep Rock Springs Ranch running.

Rock Springs Ranch is like a small city. The staff is responsible for any repairs aligned with the property. They have different departments such as facilities, housekeeping, grounds and food service. In addition, they have their own water system that the whole property uses for drinking and wastewater, Maynard said.

“Rock Springs camp is like an umbrella. All of these pieces under the umbrella need to work together to make everything run smoothly,” Maynard said.

With nearly 8 0 years of tradition at Rock Springs Ranch with summer camps and conference retreats, Maynard said he can’t wait until campers arrive this summer.

“Everyone who comes on to the Rock Springs property can grow to better understand themselves and the group they are there with, along with experiencing the beautiful sights of nature all around us here at Rock Springs Ranch,” Maynard said.