ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Families looking for travel opportunities in Kansas will soon have just that chance thanks to the Kansas Department of Tourism and its Sunflower Summer Program.
The Sunflower Summer Program will start Saturday, July 12 and run through Sunday, Aug. 3 and as Special Projects Coordinator Rosa Cavazos tells it, there will be a lot to do.
“We have more than 230 attractions participating in the Sunflower Summer Program, and it's a really great way to get Kansas families out and about and learning more about their state and what Kansas has to offer,” Cavazos said. “We often hear how there's nothing to do in certain parts of the state, so this is a great opportunity for parents to take their children and go out and see what there is to do in Kansas and explore it. There are so many different types of places participating, it's amazing. We have museums, discovery centers, zoos, state parks, historic sites, and so, so much more. If there's something you've been wanting to do or somewhere you've been planning to visit, this is a great time to visit when things are more affordable.”
Those looking to participate will be able to look at all the different attractions online to help make their plans.
“We do have a coupon page attractions and cities have been adding to, and if you visit travelks.com, you'll find that page, which will feature the attractions and cities and what all is being offered,” Cavazos said. “Those coupons are another way to help make these trips even more inexpensive, so that's another incentive. Also, since the people will be staying in-state, there's no flights to board or complex travel accommodations to make, and you'll be able to check out the byways and historic sites and everything else the state offers.”
Earlier this year, however, Cavazos said, there was some uncertainty about the program being able to happen.
“Proposed reduced funding from the Kansas Legislature created uncertainty and threatened the program's ability to operate in 2025, ultimately resulting in a shortened season and other modifications,” Cavazos said. “The House Appropriations Committee initially proposed cutting the program's funding significantly. Many advocates for the program, including more than 150,000 families who signed up for it, highlighted its economic benefits and urged the legislature to restore full funding. Ultimately, the reduced funding directly impacted the program's operations, and the reduced funding also led to a shorter program season and new limitations on adult participation.”
With that uncertainty now gone, Cavazos said she and staff are excited to have the program up and running this summer.
“We're excited to have the opportunity to provide the Sunflower Summer Program again. There was that concern earlier this year about it not happening, so we're really excited to have the opportunity to show off this state with our residents and families,” Cavazos said. “We've been promoting this in schools and on our social media throughout the state, and we've gotten several calls and emails about when everything will start and when the app will be updated and everything else. It's great knowing there are so many people still invested in this program.”
Cavazos added the importance of programs like the Sunflower Summer Program cannot be overstated.
“Programs like this are important because they give people the opportunity to learn and see all the different sites in the state. It also really helps us promote Kansas so people really know what's happening here and what great places there are for families to visit,” Cavazos said. “Kansans are our best ambassadors, so them telling other people about their trip to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park in Oakley, or some other stop, is amazing publicity. I know Kansas has more of a reputation of being rather flat, but there's so much more we offer, and I actually don't know of any other state that provides this type of opportunity for citizens to get out and see their state and get in free, which is amazing.”
Cavazos said coordinating the program is a fun challenge every year, and she said she hopes to see record numbers this summer.
“It's great to hear from residents who tell us they might not otherwise have had the opportunity to travel like this if not for the program. If you're a single parent or grandparent, or if you're doing some vacation planning for this summer, this program is a great way to get out and about without completely breaking your bank account,” Cavazos said. “It's just a great chance for people to explore the state and have some fun. We were only able to start planning for this year in early May since there was that uncertainty surrounding the program, and we were in overdrive getting everything ready to go in terms of getting attractions and sites to participate and getting everything ready for the app. Last year it was amazing how many attractions participated, it was the most we'd seen since the program started, and we're very happy to have all of them and some new ones be part of this year's fun. I would say in the three weeks we have this program running, we'll blow it all out of the park. I can only imagine we'll have more families taking advantage of this program and exploring the state.”
Overall, Kansas is a wonderful state to explore, Cavazos said.
“I want to encourage families to get out in the state and see what Kansas has to offer,” Cavazos said. “We have a beautiful state, wonderful attractions, friendly people, and I know families won't be disappointed once they're officially out and about and exploring.”
