by Therese Horvat
Special to The Leaven
WILLIAMSBURG — Five minutes is all it takes to complete an online survey to help inform the strategic planning process underway for Prairie Star Ranch here. And all are welcome!
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the archdiocesan ministry. Prairie Star Ranch is a high adventure camp and retreat ministry for youth and families. It is also available as a rental venue for retreats and events.
“In light of this moment in our ministry’s history, members of our advisory board, in collaboration with our staff, created a survey to examine the reach and impact of Prairie Star Ranch over the past quarter-century,” said Gregory Wellnitz, director.
“We aim to gain a more data-driven understanding of our reach and impact throughout the archdiocese,” he continued, “enabling us to better understand how to remain faithful and effective in our mission of accompanying youth and families into encounters with Jesus Christ and his church.”
Wellnitz said the team’s goal is to engage as many Catholics in northeast Kansas as possible in completing the survey — both those familiar with the ministry and those who have not participated in Prairie Star Ranch programs or been to the 300-acre site.
Harold Bradley, a longtime supporter of the ministry, proposed the survey in a recent meeting of the Prairie Star Ranch advisory board of which he is a member.
“We all realized that we need a baseline understanding of what folks have experienced at the ranch and what they think they know about the ranch and what it does today. This survey is our attempt to get to that baseline by gathering and analyzing data,” he explained.
Bradley encouraged people from all parts of the archdiocese — rural, suburban and urban parishes — to complete the survey to help ensure a broad representation. He also considers the survey a tool to inform and update respondents about services provided by Prairie Star Ranch.
“My hope is that we receive a wide array of responses — both from those with up-close and personal engagement at the ranch and those who might not even be aware of Prairie Star Ranch despite its 25-year history,” Bradley said.
Wellnitz believes the findings of this survey will be instrumental in shaping the future of the ministry.
Advisory board members and staff will discuss input and feedback from the survey as they update the ranch’s strategic plan with goals focused on mission. With the baseline established through this year’s efforts, Bradley and Wellnitz anticipate that the survey will become an annual assessment.
Complete the Prairie Star survey today!
Take five minutes to complete a survey to help Prairie Star Ranch plan the future of its ministry. By entering your email address at the conclusion of your survey responses, you will have the chance to win a free 2026 Camp Tekakwitha registration for the camper of your choice. Deadline for submitting your survey is 9 p.m. on Oct. 20.
Access the survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/37N3VZX.
