Looking for fun and outdoor adventure in your life? Are you seeking a challenge that requires skills in backpacking, white water rafting, canoeing, rock climbing, communications, decision making, safety, leadership, teamwork, outdoor cookery, first aid and coping with nature's elements?

Welcome to the 4-H Venturer Program!

New Action 8 1/2 min. Venturer Video:

• Best quality - (Fast Internet Connection, 320x240, 235kbps)
• Medium Quality - (Cable Connection, 240x180, 74kbps)
• Low Quality - (Dial-up Connection, 160x120, 34.2kbps)
  (Note: Download the Best Quality video for better viewing. Right-click and Save.)

Formed in 1997, the 4-H Venturers brings together teens and adults from 4-H, Boy Scouts, and other youth organizations from all over the state of Kansas who are interested in high adventure experiences. The program is offered to teens who are 14 years of age by January 1st or who have completed the eighth grade by June 1st . Adults must enjoy working with teens, thrive on adventure, and value group building experiences.

What does it take to be a Venturer? You've got to be willing to...

• work with others as a crew member, to accept others as they are, to help make group decisions, to do your share of work and carry your share of the load;
• absorb and share the wonder and beauty of the outdoors, to learn and practice low-impact camping techniques, to make a commitment to preserve and protect the wilderness;
• condition your body, to endure sore and aching muscles, burning lungs, blisters, and bruised bones when the days can be long, hot, cold, wet, muddy, and dusty;
• share laughter, hugs, songs, tears of joy and frustration, to make lasting friendships, to be the best person that you can be.

2003 -- Traveling via chartered coach to the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area in northern Minnesota, the three crews consisted of 30 youth and adults. We paddled for 6 days and 5 nights and endured 19 straight hours of rain. One crew had close encounters with 4 moose, pine martens, mink, beavers and of course, many loons -- they even caught enough fish for 4 meals! Cliff jumping was one of the special highlights, plus running a few rapids in the canoes on some of the portages. Along the way, we picked up last minute supplies at Cabela's in Owatonna, Minnesota, thoroughly enjoyed a bountiful slice of pie at Betty's Pies near Two Harbors, and toured the Split Rock Lighthouse. One of the most memorable experiences on the road trip to the northern waters was living through a fierce thunderstorm in the middle of the night and being jolted awake by a one honking big bolt of lightning at 5:30am! Many reported that this was one of the most relaxing adventure trips they had ever taken and they loved it!

2002 -- 25 youth and adults rafted the waters of the Green River in eastern Utah for 5 days and 4 nights. One of the biggest challenges the group faced was two days of strong winds that actually blew us back up the river! It took perseverance and incredible mental and physical strength to cope with and handle this challenge. We experienced slow water and fast water plus lots of water fights that helped us keep cool on those hot days. This was our first rafting adventure trip and we loved it. Real food, real teamwork, and real fun people! Our second Venturer's trip took us to Philmont, where we backpacked in the wilderness area of this legendary BSA high adventure base. One crew hiked in the north country, bagging Baldy, the highest peak in the area. The other two crews hiked in the central country and spent their last day hiking out on the Tooth of Time Ridge Trail --- 11 long miles filled with rocks and boulders of all sizes and shapes. Along the way, we stopped at the Santa Fe Trail Museum, Fort Larned and Bent's Fort ---- and learned a lot of history about the Santa Fe Trail and its many travelers.

2001 -- 47 youth and adults traveled to northern Minnesota where we paddled our canoes for 5 days and 4 nights amongst the loons, moose and fish in the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area. We had 6 crews that traveled different routes on water and land, where they each experienced unique wilderness experiences.

Bear Report: Two of the crews encountered bears! One crew convinced their bear to leave their campsite, after lots of appropriate yelling, pot-banging and especially when Justin nailed the bear  between the eyes with a rock! The second bear convinced the crew to leave their campsite in spite of all their efforts to convince him to leave they tore down camp in mere moments and loaded up the canoes (with the pot of half-cooked spaghetti between Cathy’s feet) and they sought refuge in another campsite about a mile away!

Fishing Report: Lots of fishing took place and a couple of crews caught enough nice walleye, northern pike and small mouth bass for an evening meal!

Canoeing Report: One crew decided to set up a base camp in a couple of different locations so they could spend more time exploring, taking life a bit slower, and enjoying the sights and sounds of the backcountry. Another crew decided to canoe over 60 miles and portaged over 1000 rods to get keep into the backcountry. Swimming, jumping off of 40' high rock ledges into the water, exploring  waterfalls and seeing mile after mile of “windfall” trees as a result of the July 4, 1999 storm.

Mosquito Report: 8:45 pm every evening, right on the dot, kajillions of mosquitos would appear and it was always wise to be in your tent with the door zipped up tight at 8:40pm!

Cabela’s Report: Stopped at this awesome store both coming and going .... wow, what a place!

Our 2001 trip was at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota.

2000 -- traveled to Colorado to raft the white waters of the Poudre River and backpack in the Rawah Wilderness Area. Viewed amazing elk herds, moose, and pristine northern Coloardo backcountry. Climbed the Pinnacle at the REI store in downtown Denver, watched the National Lumberjack Competition at the Territorial Park in Laramie, Wyoming and explored the vast Cabela's store in Sydney, Nebraska.

1999 -- traveled to northern New Mexico where we backpacked in the wilderness area of the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch. Hiked the trails at the National Capulin Volcano Monument and checked out the 100 million years old dinosaur tracks at Clayton Lake State Park.

1998 -- traveled to South Dakota to backpack in the Black Elk Wilderness Area at Custer State Park, explore Wind Cave in the Wind Cave National Park, and hike in the Bad Lands. Also spent two days canoeing on the Niobrara River in northwestern Nebraska.

1997 -- traveled to northern New Mexico to experience the high adventure program at Philmont Scout Ranch and backpacked nearly 30 miles in the backcountry wilderness areas.

Phone: (785) 532-5800
FAX:   (785) 532-5981