Because of your support for our business, we have been able to give back to the community in many different ways and are continually committed to supporting the many worthwhile organizations that make our community so great.
A Dream is Becoming a Reality at the Outdoor Campus Sioux Falls
Your support of our business January – March allows us to partner with the Outdoor Campus Expansion Project that will build generations of responsible outdoor enthusiasts. Total Support: $25,000.
THE MISSION
For over 25 years, the Outdoor Campus – Sioux Falls has been providing quality outdoor education programming to community residents of all ages. The purpose is to provide hands-on experiences in hunting, fishing, outdoor skills, and conservation science. Free educational classes for youth, adults and families are held throughout the year. Visitors can explore indoor exhibits, a butterfly garden, and an outdoor playscape, as well as enjoy over 2 miles of trails for walking and cross-country skiing.
Since opening the doors in 1997, Outdoor Campus has reached over 534,000 participants by offering almost 21,000 classes FREE to the public! Over 3,000 volunteers, 9 permanent staff and numerous interns have worked to create this unique learning environment.
IT’S TIME TO EXPAND!
The Friends of the Outdoor Campus – Sioux Falls, together with the SD Parks & Wildlife Foundation, and the SD Game, Fish & Parks are excited to partner with the community for this expansion project that includes support from both private and public partners.
What started as a dream is becoming a reality thanks to the dedication and generosity of people like you. Please join us in this exciting celebration of a true community resource that is helping to build generations of responsible outdoor enthusiasts.
"I often hear people say the Outdoor Campus is a hidden gem. My hope is that we lose the 'hidden' piece. I want people to know what we do and get excited about the classes." ~ David Parker, Director, The Outdoor Campus
The new and improved expansion space will include additional classrooms, reorganization of current spaces to better accommodate proven needs, and the addition of an indoor & outdoor archery range.
GROWING STRONG
- Additional classroom space
- 5,000 sq/ft indoor range with 12 shooting lanes
- Dedicated intern space
- Updated restroom & family restroom
- Nursing mother’s room
- Game processing & wild game cooking with walk-in cooler
- Outdoor meat smoking & grilling patio
- Improved bird viewing area with heated pond
- Enhanced outdoor shooting range
- Outdoor range spectator courtyard
The expansion has two phases, the first of which broke ground summer 2024. That'll include a 60-yard outdoor archery range with 10 lanes, ADA accessibility and the ability to shoot the same types of bows used in actual hunting. The second phase will include expanding the indoor classroom space, adding an indoor archery range and adding outdoor learning space for classes on processing and cooking hunted game.
The plan is to also make that range available to the public to use at no cost whenever there aren't scheduled classes going on.
The existing archery program only allows participants to shoot smaller, 20-pound bows, which aren't necessarily powerful enough to use for hunting. The new range will allow for larger, stronger bows – exactly the same weapons that'd be used in bow hunting.
Become more acquainted with the Outdoor Campus Sioux Falls for yourselves!