Go outside and listen for the buzz of the bees. Let’s look into the life of our buzzing and fluttering friends that make our world so colorful.
Summer Little Explorers is a combination of our beloved Little Explorers Nature Preschool and the Itty Bitty Einsteins class model. Classes are geared toward explorers between the ages of 3-5 and their families. Explore the science of nature and the nature of science through hands-on experiences and STEM journals together.
Fees must be paid at the front desk on the day of class.
SDDC Member: FREE
Nonmember: $4 per family group + general admission fees
Archives: Events
AGC of South Dakota Construction Camp
High School students have the opportunity to participate in our hands on Construction Camp. They will rotate between 6-8 stations and be fed pizza for lunch. They will learn about construction fields from experts in the industry along with educators. Examples of stations could be Heavy Equipment Operation, Welding, Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Civil Engineering, Survey, Architectural, Job Site Visit, etc. This event is held on the Mitchell Technical College Campus.
Native American Nursing Education Center Pre-Nursing Summit
Considering a career in nursing?
The Native American Nursing Education Center holds the Nursing Oíčhimani, a prenursing summit, in Rapid City. The summit is open to Native American high school students — those entering grades nine-12 and beyond in the fall.
It features sessions focused on nursing care, the science behind many medical activities and even a tour of an ambulance and a Flight for Life helicopter. 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.
Tech Theatre Camp
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
Dakota News Now Media Camp
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.
ABE Summer Camp 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
South Dakota American Legion Boys State
SD American Legion Boys State is a premier program for teaching how government works while developing leadership skills and an appreciation for your rights as a citizen. Students create a fictitious state starting at the City level, then continue to the County level and onward to a State level, culminating with the election of a Boys State Governor. Along the way, students will hear from South Dakota elected officials. They will participate in law enforcement classes from the Highway Patrol, Legal classes from members of the SD Bar Association, run for elections at every level of State government, partake in Party Caucuses, and argue Supreme Court cases at the Brown County Courthouse under the direction of a former SD Supreme Court Chief Justice.
Deadline for registration is May 1st with possible exceptions through May 8th. Application link: https://southdakotaboysstate.org/apply
USD Governor’s Camp
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
AGC of South Dakota Construction Camp
High School students have the opportunity to participate in our hands on Construction Camp. They will rotate between 6-8 stations and be fed pizza for lunch. They will learn about construction fields from experts in the industry along with educators. Examples of stations could be Heavy Equipment Operation, Welding, Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Civil Engineering, Survey, Architectural, Job Site Visit, etc.
Location: TF Riggs High School
AGC of South Dakota Construction Camp
High School students have the opportunity to participate in our hands on Construction Camp. They will rotate between 6-8 stations and be fed pizza for lunch. They will learn about construction fields from experts in the industry along with educators. Examples of stations could be Heavy Equipment Operation, Welding, Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Civil Engineering, Survey, Architectural, Job Site Visit, etc.
Location: Lake Area Technical College