In June, July and August
groups may schedule programs in the mornings and afternoons as
naturalists are available. Group program times fill quickly and are
filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Group
size:
Minimum group size is 10;
maximum group size is 20.
Other
programs:
Groups of 9 or smaller
should register for programs found in our community programs brochure.
Cost:
All youth programs are
free! Thank a hunter or angler for supporting our education efforts!
How many
programs?
Groups may schedule only
one program per season to ensure equal program availability to all
groups.
Confirmation letter:
After scheduling, we will
send the group leader a confirmation letter with instructions and a
waiver if the program requires it. Please be sure to read this
information thoroughly!
Waiver:
All individuals signed up
for boating, fishing, cooking, fly tying, orienteering, map and compass,
GPS or firearm (BB gun, archery) classes must have a waiver signed by a
parent/guardian in order to participate. We will send the waiver form
with the confirmation letter.
Chaperones:
We require at least one
adult chaperone for each youth group, and one licensed adult for each
youth angler age 7 and under. All adults age 16 and older chaperoning
fishing programs must have a valid SD fishing license.
Special
needs:
Please inform us of any
special needs, mobility concerns or health problems (including
allergies) when scheduling.
Furry
Animals
What mammals live in South Dakota? Find out in this fun program for
young naturalists! We'll explore the world of mammals using song, furs,
a puppet show and a nature walk.
Age: 3-5 years Time: 1 hour
Hop,
Slither, Crawl: Animal Movements
Hop like a rabbit, slither like a snake and crawl like a salamander!
Come join us as we learn about animal movements with a game, craft, hike
and much more!
Age: 3-5 years Time: 1 hour
Animal
Senses
We will learn how animals hear, touch, smell, taste and see through a
game, craft and some hands on activities. Go on a sensory hike to see,
hear, touch, smell and maybe even taste nature.
Age: 3-7 years Time: 1 hour
Animal
Talk
Discover the amazing world of animal languages! Learn why owls
hoot, coyotes howl and frogs chirp.
Age: 5-7 years Time: 1 hour
Leave it
to Beaver
Meet South Dakota’s master dam builder! Enter the wet world of the
beaver. Take a hike and find traces of this fascinating aquatic
mammal. Discover the beaver’s special adaptations and skills
through the use of skins, skulls and fun activities.
Age: 5-10 years Time: 1 hour
Wet and
Wild!
Meet some of the wet and wild creatures that live in the wetlands!
We’ll go outdoors and catch some wetland critters with nets and make a
craft. Wear old shoes for this adventure and prepare to get wet!
Age: 5-8 years Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
The
Unhuggables
Participants will learn about some of their least favorite animals and
why they don’t like them. Get up close and personal with animals
such as spiders, skunks, snakes and bats and find out why these animals
are often misunderstood.
Age: 8-12 years Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
What’s
for Dinner?
What’s on the dinner plate of critters that live in South Dakota?
Learn about food chains and food webs though hands-on activities and
games. We will also see first hand what Mr. Owl had for lunch as we
will dissect owl pellets.
Age: 8-12 years Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Outdoor
Careers
Come meet some of our Game, Fish and Parks staff and learn about the
many career options GFP has to offer. This will include a naturalist,
and (depending on availability) a conservation officer, and a
fisheries, wildlife, or habitat biologist.
Age: 10-18 years Time: 1 hour
Living
on the Edge: Endangered Species
Going, going, gone! This is the fate of many endangered species.
Learn about what it means for animals to be endangered, threatened,
rare or extinct. We’ll play games, do a craft and find out what you can
do to help the critters that are going away.
Age: 8-12 years Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Animal
Adaptations
Claws, teeth, spots and stripes: all things animals depend on
for survival. Join us as we learn about these and many more
animal adaptations through a game, craft, hike and more!
Age: 8-12 years Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Fishing
Fun!
Kids get a fun introduction to fishing and safety! This program has
games, basic fish ID, casting practice and hands-on fishing at the pond.
Each youth must have an adult partner for this program. All adults
age 16 and older must have a valid SD fishing license. Individually
signed waivers are required of each participant, including
chaperones, in this program.
Age: 8 to adult Time:1.5 hours
Summer
Nature Hike
Our naturalists and trained volunteers lead your group on an
age-appropriate tour of the wildlife and plants along our trails.
Stumble across frogs, beavers, ducks or toads. Who knows what you’ll
see on the trail!
Age: 8 years to adult Time: 1 hour
Paddling
Learn the basics of
flat-water paddling in canoes and kayaks. Course includes basic safety,
paddling strokes, and hands-on practice at our pond. Wear shoes and
clothes that can get wet! Individually signed waivers are required
of each participant, including chaperones, in this program.
Age: 10 years to adult Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Fly
Fishing Basics
Get a hands-on introduction
to fly fishing equipment, knots and casting. Practice casting on our
lawn, then do the real thing at our pond! Bring your own hat and
sunglasses to keep you safe! Valid SD fishing licenses are required of
participants age 16 and older. This includes all adults and chaperones.
Individually signed waivers are required of each participant,
including chaperones, in this program.
Age: 10 years to adult
Time: 1 to1.5 hours
Fly
Tying Basics
Learn what equipment and materials you need to tie flies for fly
fishing in local waters. Practice tying your own flies!
Individually signed waivers are required of each participant,
including chaperones, in this program.
Age: 10 years to adult Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Outdoor
Cooking
S’mores and hotdogs are
great campfire foods but there aren’t the only foods you can cook in the
great outdoors. Learn fire safety, practice useful cooking techniques,
and eat delicious food. Remember, everything tastes better when you
eat it outside! Individually signed waivers are required of each
participant, including chaperones, in this program. Participants are
required to wear closed-toed shoes for safety reasons.
Age: 10 years to adult years
Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Maximum Class Size: 15
Orienteering
Orienteering is a fun
activity for all ages. Younger participants can hone map reading skills
on the beginning map courses. Older participants can learn how to use
the map and compass together to navigate in the backcountry, in
orienteering meets or in adventure races. Individually signed waivers
are required of each participant, including chaperones, in this program.
Age: 8 years to
adult Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
GPS and
Geocaching
Learn the basics of Global Positioning Systems and a little bit of its
history. Get outdoors and use a GPS receiver to navigate several GPS
courses! Program participants will use the Campus’ GPS receivers.
Individually signed waivers are required of each participant, including
chaperones, in this program.
Age: 12 to adult Length: 1 to 1.5 hours
Introduction to Archery
Experience archery at The
Outdoor Campus! We will learn about safety and archery equipment, then
use Genesis Bows to try your skills with 3D targets. Due to safety
concerns, the following special requirements apply. No exceptions!
Individually signed waivers are required of each participant, including
chaperones, in this program.
-
One adult chaperone (age 18
or over) is required for every 5 participating children.
-
Children must be 12 years
of age or older to participate.
-
Horseplay and
inattentiveness will not be tolerated at any time.
-
Two naturalists must be
available for the slot you choose for your archery program.
-
Due
to the number of bows we have and size of the archery range, maximum
class size is 15 participants.
Age: 12
years to adult Length: 1 to 1.5 hours
