This technical theatre camp is a crash course in behind-the-scenes work. Students will work side by side with Spotlight Theatre Company’s technical theatre staff and will spend the week learning the tricks of the trade from concept and design to painting and construction. Students will put their new skills to work on the technical aspects of our full-length Broadway musical theatre camp show. If students are also available July 13-18, they are invited to join us on the tech crew for rehearsals and performances of our summer musical.
Ages 12-18
June 22-26 | 9am – 12pm
WHAT:
Work with the professionals at Dakota News Now TV during Summer Media Camp, a tremendous opportunity for high school students interested in becoming the future newscasters of Sioux Falls. The Washington Pavilion and Dakota News Now are partnering to offer an exciting week of broadcasting, acting, production, and behind-the-scenes action. Students with a passion for journalism and an interest in a newsroom career are encouraged to apply.
TAPED AUDITION:
With their application form, students will need to submit an audition recording of themselves presenting a mock news story of their own creation no longer than 3 minutes. DVDs, video files, or YouTube links are all acceptable forms of recordings for review. To prepare a video audition, you’ll need to film it and upload it to a video platform of your choice and submit the link in the appropriate field on this form. Make sure the video is either public or (if you choose to have it be private or unlisted) set so that we can open it to view with a link.
WHAT ARE THE CAMP ACTIVITIES?
From creating promos and sales pitches to interviewing people for a news story, students will experience several different facets of the media world – all in one week! Students will glimpse the steps it takes to piece together a news story and better understand all that happens behind-the-scenes. The week will culminate in the creation and presentation of a 5-minute newscast which will air on Dakota News Now.
WILL I GET TO BE ON THE NEWS?
Yes! Students will work together to create a 5-minute newscast that will air this summer on the Dakota News Now evening news.
QUESTIONS?
Contact us at spotlight@washingtonpavilion.org or (605) 731-2370
APPLICATIONS DUE BY FRIDAY MAY 8, 2026.
Ready for a one‑day adventure in real‑world engineering? Jump into our Engineering Exploration Camp, where high school students get hands‑on with food and bioprocess tech—like dairy processing and extrusion—and then head outdoors to collect groundwater samples and run tests just like natural resource engineers. It’s fast‑paced, fun, and packed with eye‑opening experiences that show how science shapes the world around us. Perfect for curious teens and parents who want a glimpse of exciting future careers.
Application deadline: June 10, 2026
The University of South Dakota School of Education offers a week-long summer program for gifted and high achieving students entering grades 6th-9th in the fall of 2026 who want to expand their strengths and make lifelong friends. We believe each child is gifted in a unique way, and we welcome anyone who is eager to challenge themselves and build upon their talents.
The South Dakota Governor’s Camp is focused on STEAM education. Students who successfully complete 9 rigorous educational sessions will be eligible to receive a STEAM medal and will be recognized at the closing ceremony.
In addition to our STEAM class offerings, we have many sessions that will match your unique interests and talents. You’ll get a taste of college life, eating with friends in the dining hall and living in USD dorms. You’ll hear from inspiring speakers, and you will engage in a variety of team building and recreational activities.
You’ll go beyond the classroom and take hands-on courses in the subjects that interest you. Previous classes have included:
Robotics
Intro to Guitar
Bird Banding
Veterinary Dissection
Visual Art
3D Printing
And many more!
Whether you’re an aspiring scientist, a talented musician or still unsure, the South Dakota Governor’s Camp will help you discover and develop your passion.
By May 31- Full refund, less the non-refundable deposit
June 1-July 1- 50% refund, less the non-refundable deposit
After July 1 – No refund
Ready for a one‑day adventure in real‑world engineering? Jump into our Engineering Exploration Camp, where high school students get hands‑on with food and bioprocess tech—like dairy processing and extrusion—and then head outdoors to collect groundwater samples and run tests just like natural resource engineers. It’s fast‑paced, fun, and packed with eye‑opening experiences that show how science shapes the world around us. Perfect for curious teens and parents who want a glimpse of exciting future careers.
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.
Join Us in the Black Hills to Explore Nursing!
Nursing Career Exploration Camp features sessions focused on nursing care, the science behind many medical activities and even tours of area health care facilities. There will be opportunities for hands-on experiences and to hear from professionals in the field. Sessions will be led by South Dakota State University College of Nursing faculty, Black Hills State University Science faculty, and medical professionals from the Black Hills and the West River Area Health Education Center.
Day camps only, no overnight accommodations.
Join Us in the Black Hills to Explore Nursing!
Nursing Career Exploration Camp features sessions focused on nursing care, the science behind many medical activities and even tours of area health care facilities. There will be opportunities for hands-on experiences and to hear from professionals in the field. Sessions will be led by South Dakota State University College of Nursing faculty, Black Hills State University Science faculty, and medical professionals from the Black Hills and the West River Area Health Education Center.
Day camps only, no overnight accommodations.
For the last 61 years, the South Dakota Wildlife Federation Youth Conservation Camp has been made available to South Dakota teens to not only introduce them to the outdoors but also to open wide the door to learning new hobbies, skills, and trades for possible vocations in conservation and wildlife to preserve our state heritage! This camp held in the Black Hills is about more than about getting kids outside – it’s about learning how to give back to their communities! Year after year, campers build lifelong friendships with others from across the state, and it’s so incredible to see.
Our organization, as a non-profit, is known as South Dakota Wildlife Federation Youth Conservation Camp. SDWF is an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, the largest conservation organization in the world. The close working relationship between the state and national organizations ensures effective, coordinated conservation action at all levels of government. For over sixty-five years, SDWF has been leading the fight to protect the interests of South Dakota’s current and future outdoor sports enthusiasts. This camp is just one small part of the greater mission of SDWF, but it is incredibly impactful to those who have attended in the past, and they have a BLAST! We still have a lot more available spots for campers to attend and available sponsorships!
The DSU Cyber Camp for Middle School Boys is a residential summer camp designed for middle school boys who are curious about computers, technology, and how the digital world works. Campers explore foundational cyber and technology skills through hands-on activities and guided challenges in a supportive environment.
