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
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
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
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: Central States Fairgrounds
Note: This is a 1-day camp and you can choose what day you go
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 Southeast Technical College Campus.
The Natural Resources High School Camp is a great way to gain exposure to the world of natural resources, including fish, plants, wildlife, soils, invertebrates and water. The camp offers opportunities to gain hands-on experiences in natural resource ecology and management. The camp is intended for high school students, entering grades nine through 12 who have a strong desire to learn more about the natural world or who have an interest in pursuing a career related to natural resources. Permission of parent or guardian is required.
Activities will be led by SDSU Department of Natural Resource Management faculty and graduate students. We will also host biologists from natural resource agencies.
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 7TH GEN.® Summer Program is a unique 8-week summer semester where High School seniors jumpstart their post-secondary journeys with 12 tuition-free college credits through our partnership with Black Hills State University and gain valuable work experience through a paid internship at Crazy Horse Memorial. They also experience fun field trips to sites in the surrounding Black Hills area and participate in hands-on cultural workshops. Our academic advisors assist each student with their post-secondary planning i.e. FAFSA, scholarship hunting, housing application, class registration, etc. Interested students may access more information and the online application through our website link.
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.
Our Precision Camps provide students with the opportunity to step into the shoes of an Equipment Precision Technology Specialist. Campers will collaboratively work through hands-on projects as they learn about the technical and digital systems found in heavy equipment, as well as problem-solve through general maintenance processes. Throughout the camp experience, they will explore the ins and outs of Precision Technology alongside our Precision Technology instructors and top industry experts!
Overnight Precision Camp
