Category Archives: Youth

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Youth

Get Ready To Jump Fort Scott

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This sign has been taken down, as the three needed employees have been hired.

The former Walgreens store at 23rd and South Main Street will soon be filled with lots of excited kids.

Submitted photo.

Jumpy Jumpland is coming to Fort Scott in that building.

Their opening weekend is August 15-17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The grand opening weekend is free to public for a preview of what the business has to offer, said Heather Sims, district manager.

“We have indoor inflatables, fun for the whole family,” Sims said.

Submitted photo.

In addition to the many inflatables, they have a snack bar.

“We do birthday parties and Open Jumps, where anyone can come and play for $7 for as long as Open Jump is open.”

There are two choices for birthday parties: deluxe for $200, which has a one-hour jump time and then 45 minutes in the party area;  and supreme at $240, which has 1.5 hours of playtime and 45 minutes in the party area.

They can bring outside food and beverages, but no party supplies can be brought into Open Jump.

Submitted photo.

Currently, there are three employees, she said. “Two people per shift. We want eyes on the bounce floor at all times.”

Their hours of operation: Fridays are Open Jump from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon are available party times, then from noon to 2 is Open Jump, followed by times for parties. The last party of the day starts at 7:30 p.m.

“We chose Fort Scott because it doesn’t have a lot for kids to do,” she said. “We wanted to bring something to them.”

Jumpy Jumpland rents the building from Jake’s Fireworks. Starting the first weekend in June, they will move out and then move back in on the first weekend in August, she said. Jake’s Fireworks’ high sales season is June through August.

“Join us for Open Jump, games, and awesome prizes – we can’t wait to see you there!” said Jessica Benford, marketing director for the To book parties and celebrations, email at jumpyjumpland.com

Their address is 2229 S. Main Street, inside the Jake’s Fireworks building.

About Jumpy Jump Land

Who We Are
Jumpy Jump Land is the premier bounce-house party destination in the Wichita area, offering vibrant indoor play spaces filled with colorful obstacle courses, tall slides, and multiple bounce houses. We host both private parties by reservation and Open Jump sessions where families can drop in and play.

Where We Started
We opened our first location in Andover, Kansas, in 2015. Since then, Jumpy Jump Land has grown into a local favorite and expanded to five locations: Andover, Bel Aire, Haysville, El Dorado – and now, Fort Scott, opening August 15!

Who Owns It
Jumpy Jump Land is owned and operated as a Kansas limited liability company: JUMPY JUMP LAND, LLC.

Why We Do What We Do
Our mission is to create unforgettable moments for kids and families through safe, clean, and energetic indoor fun. We’re passionate about providing a stress-free venue where hosts can truly enjoy birthdays, reunions, corporate events, and more – while kids jump, play, and burn off energy.

 

Exercise, Fort Scott, Sports, Youth

Backpack Giveaways At BRCC Back to School Bash on August 9

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On the inside wall of the Center.
Buck Run Community Center is having a Back to School Bash with free backpack giveaways.
The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 9 at the center located at 735 Scott Avenue, in back of the Fort Scott Aquatic Center.
“Enjoy mouthwatering meals and treats from our amazing local food trucks—perfect for lunchtime cravings,” said Lucas Kelley, director of Fort Scott Recreation, of which the Center is a part.
Lucas Kelley, director of Fort Scott Recreation, of which Buck Run Community Center is a part.
“We’re celebrating 50 years of Buck Run Community Center with a fun-filled Back to School Bash! We will also be handing out backpacks and school supplies that day! Come see what we have for you! We are excited to be able to host our 2nd Annual Backpack Giveaway,” said Kelley.
They will give away: 480 backpacks, glue sticks/bottles of glue, pencils,  and notebooks.
“Bring the whole family and enjoy free activities like:

 mini golf,  laser tag,  cookies and lemonade, face painting and inflatables,” he said.

A plaque inside Buck Run Community Center.

The center is celebrating 50 years of service to the community this year, and here is what is offered to the community: handicap-accessible services, with a full-sized basketball court and two regulation volleyball courts. The structure also has a tumbling/gymnastics and aerobics room upstairs, as well as a weight room and fitness center. Picklball and racquetball are played there as well, according to its website. There is another pickleball outdoor court at 9th and Burke Street, by the water tower.

Pickleball players enjoy the air conditioning while playing on July 31 in a gym at Buck Run.
The recreation program also oversees the maintenance and scheduling of Ellis Park, Fisher Park and Third Street Park.
Additionally, they provide a self-serve kiosk at Gunn Park for renting discs for the disc golf game holes.
To learn more:

https://brcc.recdesk.com/Community/Home

The fitness center at Buck Run.

Features of the  center:

  • Auditorium with a stage
  • Fitness center
  • Kitchen
  • Lounge with a television
  • Shower facilities
  • 2 meeting rooms
In the Corey Larson Gym, there is a stage available and a small adjacent kitchen.

Also outside of the Buck Run Community Center, there is a sand volleyball court. The meeting rooms and auditorium may be rented for private use.

The Fort Scott Recreation Department runs an extensive adult and youth program from within the Center. For information on facilities or recreation programs, call 620-223-0386.

Deb Stewart is the 60+Nutrition Site Director for meals that are provided at 11:30 a.m. daily in one of Buck Run’s meeting rooms.

There is an on-site meal for those 60 years old and over at Buck Run in one of the meeting rooms.

Deb Stewart, site director of 60+Nutrition, said the meal is provided with a $2 suggested donation at 11:30 a.m., and the only qualification is being at least 60 years old. For more information: https://www.sekaaa.com/nutrition

The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging manages the 60+ Nutrition Program for nine SEK counties, providing nutritious meals to individuals 60+ years of age. The meals can be provided in home (for those who qualify) or at designated sites in the community. A suggested donation of $2 per meal is requested, but inability to pay does not prevent anyone from receiving a meal, according to its website.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Youth

Parent Empowerment Circle Sunday, July 27, 2025

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Would anyone like to volunteer to bring snacks for this meeting?   
**You may want to bring your own snacks if your kids will want some.** Thanks!
 
 
Parent Empowerment Circle
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Agenda
1:30 PM – Sign the attendance sheet and get name tag
1:30-1:45 PM – Meet and Greet Time with other attendees
1:45 PM – Round table introductions:  Please briefly introduce yourself, why you are attending today and what you hope to gain from coming to this meeting.  Please share a recent “WIN” that you are positive about.
2:00 PM – July Meeting: “Dealing with Discouragement”, guest speaker – Candy Turner
3:00 PM to 3:15 PM –
August Meeting: meet up at splash pad for a fun day, bring your own snacks, water to drink and lawn chairs.  Invite friends!
September Meeting: “IEP’s and 504’s”, guest speaker – Tonya Barnes
October meeting:  TBA
Other questions, comments, suggestions
3:15 PM – Dismiss meeting but you are welcome to chat with other attendees
3:15 PM to 3:30 PM – Clean up space and leave building
Next meeting:  August 24, 2025, 1:30-3:30 PM at the Splash Pad, The Gathering Pavilion, North National, Fort Scott.
Cherri Walrod
Community Health Worker
K-State Research and Extension Southwind District
620-223-3720, ext. 503
Bourbon County, Schools, Youth

SparkWheel- Sparking Success for Students in Uniontown Receives Grant

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CFSEK Awards $180,000 in 2025 General Funds Grants

Since 2001, the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) General Funds grant cycle has been making a difference across the region. This year is no different, with $180,000 granted to 68 organizations in 20 towns across 10 SEK counties for projects in the focus areas of Arts & Culture, Basic Human Needs, and Youth Activities. Since 2001, the CFSEK General Funds grant cycle has awarded over $2,100,000 in competitive grants across SEK!

“Our General Funds grant cycle is always a highlight for us because it allows us to support all of Southeast Kansas,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “Our review committee has the opportunity to evaluate proposals from so many different communities, each with their own unique needs. We are proud to support these wonderful organizations that work hard to improve our region.”

This year’s recipients are:

Arts & Culture

  • Altamont Flag Day INC- Bringing Art and Culture to Altamont Flag Day 2026
  • Cato Historical Preservation Association, Inc.- Cato Celebration for Kids (Cato Kids Day)
  • First Baptist Church Riverton- BE THE ART
  • Josiah Fletcher Foundation- Josiah Fletcher Jazz Camp Theme
  • Northeast Unified School District #246- Less Stress Through Crafting
  • Oswego Historical Society- Historic Arts Workshop Series for Youth
  • Safe Families for Children- Support Through Reading

Basic Human Needs

  • Building Health, Inc.- Unlocking Home
  • Caney Valley Agape Network, Inc.- Family Crisis Intervention
  • Care Cupboard Hygiene Pantry- Hygiene for Hope
  • Catholic Charities Inc.- Housing and Homeless Services
  • Catholic Diocese of Wichita – The Lord’s Diner-Pittsburg- Healthy Bodies, Healthy Living
  • Cherokee County Health Department- Good Night, Sleep Tight, Protecting Babies, With All of Our Might
  • CLASS LTD- Client Emergency Assistance Fund
  • Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas- SEK Diaper Stock
  • Cornerstones of Care- Stopping the Spiral
  • Crosstimbers Food Pantry Association- Cooking on a Budget with Shelf Stable Foods
  • DBLO Association- No Longer Sleeping on the Floor for SEK Children
  • Dream Center of the 4 States- Help and Hope Community Meal Project
  • Family Resource Center, Inc.- Detection and Prevention of Bed Bugs in Cherokee and Crawford Counties
  • First Baptist Church Riverton- Share with Love Food Pantry
  • First United Methodist Church Wesley House- One Monty Supply for Food Pantry
  • Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries- Restore
  • Foster Adopt Connect, Inc.- Family Stabilization Assistance
  • Habitat for Humanity of Crawford County KS, Inc- Handicap Accessible Ramps for Two Crawford County Families
  • Homer Cole Community Center Inc- Height Matters…
  • Hospital District 1 Crawford County Foundation- Pressure Check: Expanding Access to Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
  • Integrated Behavioral Technologies, Inc- Acquisition of Needed Assessments and Program Materials for SEK Autism Program
  • Labette County Emergency Assistance Center- Emergency funds for Labette County Residents
  • Mosaic- Making Healthy Lives Happen for People with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities in SE KS
  • Outside the Wire Veterans Foundation- Unit Reunification and Mental Health Wellness retreat
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States- Meeting Basic Human Needs for Families with Hospitalized Children
  • Safehouse Crisis Center, Inc- Soles for Survivors
  • SE Kansas Women Helping Women- Basic Needs
  • Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging- 60+ Nutrition Kitchen Upgrades
  • Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center- Assertive Community Treatment
  • Southwind Extension Education Foundation Inc- Libraries with Heart: Empowering Rural Communities to Take Charge of their heart Health
  • Stay Strong Live Long Wilson County- Free Community Baby Shower

Youth Activities

  • Arma Rec- Arma Rec Free Signup for Basketball and 2 New Goals
  • Caney Valley Agape Network, Inc.- At-Risk Youth Support
  • Care to Share Cancer Support Group of Bourbon County, Kansas, Inc.- FortFest 25
  • Chanute Public Library- Literacy4Littles
  • City of Mulberry- New Playground Equipment for Park
  • City of Pittsburg – Memorial Auditorium- 2025/2026 School Outreach Series
  • City of West Mineral, Kansas- A Gathering Place for All
  • Compass Academy Network, Inc.- Pitsco Modules at Compass Academy Network in SEK, 2026
  • Curious Minds Discovery Zone, Inc.- Exploration Through Energy Release
  • Families and Children Together Inc.- Autism Safe and Play
  • Fostering Connections- Teen Impact Events
  • Frontenac USD 249- Next Gen Assembly at Frontenac USD 250
  • Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland- First Aid and Safety Fair
  • Inspire Health Foundation, Inc.- Inspire Health Careers
  • Kids First Daycare- New Playground Equipment
  • Learning Tree Institute at Greenbush- Interactive Video Wall
  • Miners Hall Museum Foundation- Franklin Community Park Playground Improvements
  • Oswego Historical Society- Voices of Oswego: Youth Oral History Recording and Digital Access Project
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Parish/St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools- Playground Fun
  • Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America- Ozark Trails Council Recruitment Activity Materials
  • Pittsburg Kiwanis Club (Noon)- Kiwanis Park Improvements
  • Reach One Teach One Foundation- Youth QPR Suicide Prevention Training
  • SEK Running Camp- The Running Camp
  • SparkWheel- Sparking Success for Students in Uniontown
  • Special Olympics Kansas- Unified Games in Southeast Kansas
  • Spring River Mental Health and Wellness- Pathfinders 2025-2026
  • The Foster Closet, Inc.- Family Enrichment Events
  • The Salvation Army- Gifting Indoor & Outdoor Play Items
  • USD 257- Writing Our Way Out: Publishing Youth Perspectives in Allen County
  • Victory Life Church- Back2School Event 2025

CFSEK also granted $5,000 for youth activities to each of its affiliate foundations in Columbus, Fort Scott, and Girard.

CFSEK would like to congratulate this year’s recipients and thank them for their work in Southeast Kansas every day, making this a great place to call home.

Government, Kansas, Youth

KS Modernizes Child Welfare System

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DCF Announces Contracts Awarded to Modernize State’s Child Welfare System

New System Will Help Agency Work More Efficiently, Effectively

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced on July 22, 2025, three contracts have been awarded for the department’s new Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS). The CCWIS project will modernize DCF’s child welfare information systems and develop interfaces between the various agencies serving DCF’s Prevention and Protection Services (PPS) and Adult Protective Services (APS) programs.

Many states are pursuing CCWIS projects. Kansas’ CCWIS project will consolidate the functions of the agency’s multiple legacy information systems – most of which are based on 20th century technology – into a single, integrated solution that is flexible and collaborative, streamlining work processes and services for employees, partnering agencies, and clients.

The three new contracts joining the DCF project team include: Design, development, and implementation (DDI); independent verification and validation (IV&V); and quality assurance (QA). The three selected vendors will work with the DCF CCWIS project team to develop and implement the new system.

Design, Development, and Implementation Contract
The DDI contract is the largest contract for the project. This contractor will work alongside DCF staff to develop and roll out the new system. Eleven bids were received for the DDI RFP. RedMane Technology LLC, a Chicago-based software solutions and systems integration company, was selected during the competitive bid process and has been awarded a $44 million contract to design, develop, and implement the department’s CCWIS.

Since 2000, RedMane has created software solutions to help health and human services organizations implement, modernize, and optimize systems for child welfare, child support, and critical case management.

Independent Verification and Validation Contract
Maximus US Services, Inc. has been selected as the IV&V vendor. Maximus brings 23 years of experience, providing IV&V and real-time objective assessment services to the CCWIS project as well as independent oversight of the DDI contractor’s project performance and adherence to schedules and scope of work. The contract award amount is $2,192,200.

Quality Assurance Contract
CSG Government Solutions, headquartered in Chicago, has been selected as the Quality Assurance (QA) vendor for DCF’s CCWIS project. The CSG team offers 25 years of experience delivering quality assurance services for complex health and human services agencies across the country, including multiple active CCWIS projects.

Under the awarded contract valued at $4,745,760, CSG will provide quality analysis of the project’s output, validate system functionality, and ensure Kansas receives the system as contracted.

“A modern and adaptable information technology infrastructure system will help our employees and partners seamlessly work together to better serve Kansans,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “We’re happy to be working with RedMane, Maximus, and CSG to bring the information technology side of Kansas’ child welfare system into the 21st century.”

Benefits of a CCWIS
The new CCWIS will replace multiple older systems, eliminating redundancy and standardizing practice and service delivery statewide. The CCWIS solution will better support key child welfare functions such as management of client files, intake functions, ongoing case management, visitation report entries, court record production, comprehensive reporting, and decision support processing.

Other key benefits may include:

  • Improved interfaces with Title IV-A (TANF), Title IV-D (Child Support Enforcement), Title XIX (Medicaid), and the State’s financial and administrative systems;
  • Better data sharing with key community partners, including courts, schools, law enforcement, and other state agencies;
  • Data accuracy and timeliness.

Once implemented, the CCWIS solution will be fully compliant with the CCWIS Final Rule and subsequent communications by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

“This project aligns with our mission to protect children and promote healthy families by transforming our dated child welfare information technology systems into a modern, adaptable ecosystem that will provide the right services and supports needed to help support the well-being of Kansas children and families,” Howard said.

Process and Funding
DCF has spent the past few years planning for the new CCWIS. The project is expected to cost a total of $100 million over the estimated four-year development period. Approximately 50% of the total cost will come from the State General Fund and 50% from Federal IV-E funds.

During the 2024 Legislative session, Governor Laura Kelly requested, and the Kansas Legislature approved, an enhancement request for an additional $17 million per year for four years starting in FY2025. This $68 million of additional funding, along with $32 million from the base budget, will provide $100 million over the next four years to finish the development. The total cost includes contracts for DDI, QA, and IV&V vendors as well as costs for internal salaries, staffing contractors, travel, training, and other required contracts.

Timeline
Project initiation is anticipated to begin immediately now that all contracted partners have been approved by ACF and the State of Kansas. The DDI contract, the centerpiece of the project, is for four base years and includes three optional 36-month renewals.

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Fort Scott, Sports, Youth

Fort Scott Mud Turtles 16U Softball Team Wins World Championship in KC

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Front row left to right: Jace Cowan, Abbie Gorman, Rylee Loercher, Lexie Forester, Bristol Marsh, Raylee Cowan. Back row left to right: Kylee Hampton, Kinley Clements, Ella Regan, Aubrey Yarick, and Elsa Bishop.

“The Fort Scott 16b Mud Turtles have finished their summer season,” said Chrystal Cowan, coach. “One of the many highlights of the season was the KC Metro World Series Championship, in which the crew battled through rain, lightning, and extreme heat. The team has fought adversity this summer, but has managed to put it all together and continue to fight for each other.  Southeast Kansas is loaded with softball talent, and continues to dish out incredibly skilled kids!”

The girls are coached by Cowan, Zack Marsh, and Eric Loercher.

“The 16U Mud Turtles participated in a softball tournament on the weekend of July 11-13th,”.  The team competed against 24 other regional teams and went undefeated to win the tournament.  The girls on the team have been playing together for almost eight years and display remarkable sportsmanship and teamwork,” said Marnie Zimmerman, an aunt to Lexie Forester, a member of the team.

This group of young athletes is a 16-year-old and under traveling softball team from Fort Scott.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fair, Food, Youth

Today at the Bourbon County Fair

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Today, July 15,  at the Bourbon County Fair:
The Uniontown 4H Club will be selling items at the Chuckwagon in the Cloverleaf Event Center starting at this morning.

This is a fundraiser for their club this year.

The Rabbit Judging will begin at 8 am in the Rabbit/Poultry Barn followed by Poultry Judging at 10 am.

The Myers Building is closed until 12 pm for Open Class Judging.

At 12 pm the FCE (Food and Community Education) will be auctioning the Open Class Food entries to raise funds for the scholarships they provide to area students.

The Sheep Show will begin at 5 pm followed by the Meat Goat Show at approximately 6:15 pm.

The Merchant’s Building is Businesses only this year and opens at 5 pm.

Vendors include:
Miller’s Feed and Farm
Sally Kraft
T-Mobile
Flying P
Pretty Notations
Baked by Dylan
Mary Kay – Lauren Wagner
Twig and Berries Cotton Candy
Fizz Factory – Non-alcoholic Dirt Sprites
Uppa Creek Honey
2 Ashley’s Just Crafting Around
Riggs Chiropractic
Leaf Guard
Champion Bath
Kitty’s Kreations
Kaitlyn’ Comely Creations
Seams Sew Nice

Remember to get your Chicken Annie’s ticket by Tuesday, July 15th from the Fort Scott FFA Officers or Aikins Insurance, to support the Fort Scott FFA. Then stay and play some Cornhole supporting the Uniontown FFA.

Fort Scott, Schools, Sports, Youth

FSHS Senior Ali Simhiser Is Competing At The Junior National Wrestling Championship

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Ali Simhiser. Submitted photo.

Ali Simhiser, who will be a senior at Fort Scott High School this fall,  is the only female Fort Scott wrestler to be invited to the 2025 U.S. Marine Corps Junior National Women’s Freestyle Wrestling Championship, held  July 10-19 in Fargo, ND.

The event is at the Fargo Dome and men’s wrestling Freestyle and Greco-Roman athletes will also compete.

“It’s the largest in the world and a pretty big deal to be invited,” said her Aunt Stephannie Erie,  who submitted the information. “She is the first female from First Scott to attend. She is also ranked 2nd in her weight class of 190lbs in the state for 4A.”

“She is a two-time state qualifier, placing 3rd at state, winning a Southeast Kansas League Championship, and reaching a huge milestone—100 career wins and pins as a junior.”

Ali Simhiser, top position, wrestles with a competitor. Submitted photo.
Ali is pictured in a contest with another wrestler. Submitted photo.

 

This Kansas Female Wrestling Team is representing the state in different divisions at 2025 U.S. Marine Corps Junior National Championship in Fargo, N.D.. This photo was posted on the Columbus High School Wrestling Team Facebook page and was submitted.

Alvin Metcalf is the head wrestling coach at Fort Scott High School.

Area News, Kansas, Youth

Learn How Recent Federal Bill Will Affect Families

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Submitted by

Jessica Herrera Russell

Senior Communications Manager for Kansas Action For Children

 

Now that the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” has been passed and signed into law, advocacy groups like Kansas Action for Children are diving deeper into the provisions to understand exactly how everyday Kansans will be impacted. Join the KAC experts on Tuesday, July 15, at 11:30 a.m. (CT) to learn what the bill means for kids and families. After the briefing, KAC policy advisors will be available for questions.

 

REGISTER: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/uTupmf1VQROKaVvHCR29kw

 

Featuring:

  • Emily Barnes, Education Policy Advisor, KAC
  • Heather Braum, Senior Policy Advisor, KAC
  • Dustin Hare, Economic Security Policy Advisor, KAC
  • Nathan Kessler, Fiscal Policy Manager, KAC

 

During the call, we’ll cover what happened with Medicaid, SNAP, taxes, education, and more, including:

  • How SNAP is in danger of ending in Kansas – if state lawmakers don’t choose to pay the required cost share
  • Changes to child care tax credits
  • Implications for the health care system
  • Kansas kids losing access to the federal child tax credit