The South Dakota State Historical Society’s State Historic Preservation Office, supported by South Dakota Archaeological Research Center, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will be hosting their annual Archaeology Camp in Pierre June 9th -11th for students going into grades 4-6 for the 2026/2027 school year.

Archaeology Camp provides students with an active, outdoor experience located on an archaeological site near the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area north of Fort Pierre. Students should be prepared to hike and to work in the dirt alongside professional archaeologists. At Archaeology Camp, campers will be introduced to the field of archaeology. They will learn the purpose of archaeological digs and the stories that artifacts can tell people about the past.

In addition to excavations at the site, other rewarding and fun activities will include processing artifacts, practicing with atlatls (ancient weapons that preceded the bow and arrow), and touring historic sites around town.

Camp dates are June 9th -11th, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The program is structured for students to attend all three days. The registration fee per camper is $50.

Registration will open Friday, May 1, at 8 a.m. CT and will close when the camp is full or on Sunday, May 3, whichever comes first. Due to the popularity of the camp, registrations are first come first serve for 20 applicants who have not previously attended. Prior participants may apply, but their names will be added to a waitlist and only considered if there are less than 20 new campers. No walk-in campers will be accepted on camp days.

Registration information is available at https://history.sd.gov/preservation/ArchaeologyCamp.aspx .
For more information on the Archaeology Camp, please contact Katie Wasley with the historic preservation office at (605) 773-2906 or at Katie.Wasley@state.sd.us.