The history of the Sunflower Ramblers (aka Buhler Ramblers)
The Buhler ramblers Chapter of the NCHA (FCRV – Family Campers and RVers) was formed in 1964 during the month of May. There was a meeting of interested couples who met at the City building to attend a briefing session which was given by Wayne and Ann Jantz of Newton. Wayne and Ann were also instrumental in forming a number of other chapters including McPherson, Marion, and several others. They later became the presidents of the Kansas Campers Association. The charter members of our Chapter are: Chat & Lila Peckover, Bud & Kay Archer, John & Edna Sawatzky, Quenton & Rosa Mae Lorentz, Richard & Laverne Nachtigal, Irvin & Irma Peters, Homer & Vi Goertzen, Eldo & Evelyn Regier, Herb & Louise Regier, and Marlo & Francis Oltman. Our first Chapter campout was held during the July 4th weekend in 1964 and was attended by about 8 families.
In the beginning we had between 18 and 19 teen members and we started the very first teen chapter in Kansas; the RAM TEENS Chapter. It has been interesting to see just where these members have settled down. We have had nurses, pastors, electricians, sales people, secretaries, nursing home administrators, and other professions as members and we hope all were influenced by the friendship they made while camping.
We have been interested that the very same places we took our youngsters are the same places that our kids take their own families.
The first national Camping convention that we attended was in 1965 in Bowling Green Kentucky with 2 families attending and by 1966 we were helping our State Association host the National NCHA Campvention which was held on the east side of Kanopolis Lake. We were even lucky to have the Kansas KCA Teen Queen, Linda Kraft representing Kansas during this campvention.
By 1967 our group had grown to 24 member families and we all enjoyed the fun and fellowship of camping together, making meals together and all of the other activities that camping families do. During the years we have attended countless district, state and National Campventions. We have served on convention committees, had members serve on State Association committees, and even had one couple serve as Kansas State Director for a term of 10 years. It’s been quite a ride and we hope that there is more to come.
Written by Irvin and Irma Peters