When it comes to choosing the perfect summer camp for their kids, parents in the Black Hills are spoiled for choice. From adventure-filled outdoor experiences to creative and educational programs, the Black Hills offers a wealth of options. Browse our directory to discover the wide range of camps available right here in our community.
Day Camps & Youth Programs
Black Hills Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
Both boys and girls ages K-20 are encouraged to join any of the BSA programs. A Scouting journey provides programs and activities to allow youths to try new things, explore the outdoors, serve others, boost self-confidence and make ethical choices. BSA summer camps include Cub day camps, Cub & Webelos overnight camp, and Medicine Mountain overnight week summer camps.
Children’s House Montessori Summer Camps
Montessori summer camps offer 8 weeks of fun and discovery. Ages 3-6 campers will be filled with wonderful indoor and outdoor experiences that will capture their imaginations. Ages 6-12 campers will enjoy outdoor activities that include hiking, sightseeing and swimming in the beautiful Black Hills.
Dakota Frontier Camp Adventure for Kids
Dakota Frontier Camp provides a free one week summer camp and year-round activities for kids with cancer. Fishing, hiking, boating, and crafts are offered. The camp is located on 40 acres near Bear Butte State Park, and there is a medical clinic available on site.
Every Child is Special Child Care & Learning Center
Every Child is Special offers adventurous and fun summer camp programs for ages 5-12. Kids will experience themed activities and special field trips to include swimming, bowling, hiking, area attractions and restaurant tours, for a summer of fun, learning and friendship.
Fit-N-Fun Child Care & Preschool
During the summer months, Fit-N-Fun Summer Care is an experience for children ages 3-5. This exciting program includes weekly themed activities, water play, movie days, cooking club, engaging art and science projects, and supervised outdoor and indoor play. Fit-N-Fun Summer Camp is a learning experience for kids ages 6-11. This program is full of on-the-go activities and field trips, as well as spending time at Fit-N-Fun’s amazing outdoor playground or inside their 17,000 square foot gym.
Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons
The sky’s the limit for Girl Scouts ages K-12 when it comes to decide which of the thousands of rewarding activities to try. Forever friendship is the joy girls find from discovering new museums to camping at a state park all weekend together, or restocking the local food pantry, or lobbying for change at the local city council meeting. Check out the camp listing online to find an outdoor adventure to unlock that confidence!
Pennington County 4-H Camps
4-H youths ages 8-10 (Beginners), 11-13 (Juniors), and 14-18 (Seniors) learn agriculture by doing and following the principles of experiential learning. There’s nothing quite like a 4-H summer camp to provide these youths the full benefits of a 4-H experience with the wonderment of camping in the great outdoors. Check with the Pennington County 4-H office for Camp Poinsett and Camp Storm Mountain dates and availability.
YMCA Summer Day Camp & Youth Programs
YMCA Summer Day Camp is offered in Rapid City, Custer and Edgemont for grades K-5. Activities are geared for all skill levels and age groups, and may include staff-led STEM and art projects, literacy, cultural awareness, swimming, active physical games and hikes, and local area field trips. Kids are dropped off in the morning and picked up in the evenings, and throughout the day, campers will become more independent as they gain some outdoor skills, make new friends and grow as people. Each week offers a different fun theme with field trips, activities and swimming! In addition, the YMCA offers fun full day programs for school-aged kids during the summer months, such as youth sports and aquatic programs and much more!
Rapid City Arts Council Summer Camps
Weekly art camps for kids entering grades 1-6 are sure to unleash their creativity for a fun-filled artistic journey.
Youth & Family Services (YFS) Girls Inc. of Rapid City
YFS Girls Inc. serves girls ages 6-11 with fun, educational, and recreational programs highlighting community action, sports, health, careers and life planning. Girls are inspired to be strong, smart and bold with challenging and creative experiences.
Early Career Exploration
Black Hills Tire Camp DRIVE
Camp DRIVE is a passion project from the founders of Black Hills Tire. Hands-on and lecture stations are offered where kids will learn the ins and outs of tires, brakes, and alignments, then jump in to help with a repair. A guest speaker will be introduced, and campers can expect a ‘pit crew’ challenge team building learning experience. For ages 12-15.
Dakota Dreams Career Exploration Camps
Incoming 7th and 8th grade students will have hands-on learning exposure to ten career paths with a 5-day overnight residential camp at Black Hills State University, with day trips to Western Dakota Technical College and SD School of Mines, and afternoon tours of area business and industry. Evening recreational and social activities will also be available.
West River Area Health Education Center
Middle and high schoolers get a chance to explore nursing as a career during Give Nursing a Shot camp each summer. Campers will learn about nursing and healthcare topics, participate in several hands-on activities and tour a regional healthcare facility. Scrubs camp is a must for high school students thinking about a health career. There’s no charge to attend, and lunch and snacks are provided for this one-day, hands-on experience of working with healthcare professionals.
Religious Camps
Black Hills Retreat Center
Adventure awaits campers at Black Hills Retreat Center – water activities, zipline, high and low ropes course, and much more for campers as they grow in their faith at this secluded 60-acre retreat. Packages are available to rent for any ministry event.
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Camp Hallawasa
A Camp Hallawasa experience will help kids in grades 3-12 connect with God, nature, and one another. The remote setting encourages campers to disconnect from social media to be able to interact and build meaningful relationships.
Camp Judson
Camp Judson ministers year-round to children and families through youth, adult and family camps and retreats. Its unique outdoor setting, which includes 160 acres of mountain terrain in the southern Black Hills, provides an opportunity for people to know and grow in Jesus Christ.
Cedar Canyon Camp
Cedar Canyon Camp is located in Rapid City, but it feels like it could be in a secluded area of the Black Hills. Churches and other organizations host their camps and events throughout the year here to connect and grow with God.
Flag Mountain Camp
Retreat your kids to the heart of the Black Hills for worship and adventure. Kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, archery and crafts are some of the activities that await campers at Flag Mountain Camp.
Outlaw Ranch
Nestled in South Dakota’s picturesque Black Hills, Outlaw Ranch welcomes families and campers to a nurturing faith community. Explore the beauty of nature together, bond through shared adventures like hiking and horseback riding and build lifelong connections. You’re invited to an unforgettable camping experience, where the warmth of community and the wonders of the Black Hills come together to create lasting memories.
Placerville Camp
Modern amenities await campers at this historical retreat that’s been changing lives for more than 100 years. Camps seek to nurture healthy relationships to God’s creation with outdoor ministries providing a time away from the ordinariness of everyday life. Youths, adults and families enjoy different church camps and retreats by working, praying, and playing together at Placerville Camp.
Rainbow Bible Ranch
Youths ages 6-18 are able to enjoy riding horses and working with livestock on a working cattle and horse ranch. Experience fun adventures by teaching colts how to lead, playing capture the flag, fishing and more! Campers will grow with God while learning and experiencing ranch life.
Rimrock Camp and Retreat Center
Rimrock Camp and Retreat Center offers traditional church camps in the summer Rimrock Camp and Retreat Center offers traditional church camps in the summer for youths, adults, and families. The camps and retreats offer opportunities to connect with God, self, and others through morning devotions, small group time, whole group activities, and outdoor adventures. We offer hiking, tubing, archery, arts and crafts, and more! Our facilities are available for rentals and events year-round.
Storm Mountain Center
Storm Mountain is a camp and retreat center located just 20 minutes outside of Rapid City in a rocky mountain valley of the Black Hills. This historic and beautiful site is a place where campers find peace and adventure, and experience deeper connections with Christ, creation and community. Church camps happen throughout the summer, and the gorgeous facilities are rentable for family reunions and other events.
STEM/STEAM Youth Programs
Bricks Bots & Beakers
B3 classes focus on the important skills for STEAM. Youth Summer STEAM Camps in Spearfish. Check out the website for more info on programs!
Camp Invention: Illuminate
A confidence-boosting STEM summer camp where kids ages K-6 build creative inventions and lasting friendships. The weeklong program inspires campers to unlock their creativity and think like an innovator in fun, high-energy experiences.
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Dakota STEAM Learning LLC
Kids in grades K-5 will become artists, engineers, scientists, and so much more as they get up close and personal with STEAM concepts. Campers will engage in STEAM challenges, culture and history explorations, fun and food experiences, outdoor fun and breaks.
The Mammoth Site
The Mammoth Site offers a series of week-long educational summer camps for kids ages 8-12. Campers will experience the life of a paleontologist hands-on in a simulated dig site, from discovery and excavation to mapping and plaster jacketing. Kids will enjoy discovery at the Mammoth Site in any of their week-long summer camps, STEAM classes, or other educational programs available.
South Dakota Mines
It is rocket science at SD Mine’s summer STEM programs. And sword science. And computer science. And so much more! Campers participate in on-campus activities and field trips exposing them to how science works in the real world with hands-on learning experiences.
Outdoor Adventure Camps
Black Hills Basecamp
Give your child the adventure of a lifetime at this rock climbing summer camp, where they’ll develop climbing skills, build confidence and have fun both indoors and outdoors. With expert coaches, a small coach-to-climber ratio and a focus on teamwork, every child will feel supported as they challenge themselves and make lasting memories.
Camp Bob Marshall
This classic and rustic camp located six miles east of Custer provides a retreat for youth camping adventure.
Y Giraffic Park
Spend your summer making new friends, exploring nature and learning new skills, while making memories that last a lifetime. Y Giraffic Park covers 56 exclusive acres in the Black Hills with activities geared for all skill levels and age groups. Activities include staff-led STEM and art projects, literacy, cultural awareness, active physical games and hikes as well as field trips to local areas. Develop perseverance through the character development principles of Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility while becoming more independent and learning to work within groups. See how much you CAN DO!
Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch & Adventure Base
Medicine Mountain hosts the Boy Scouts and provides them the opportunity to get acquainted with nature and outside adventure. Scouts will return from camp with a stronger character and an experience of a lifetime!
SD Game, Fish & Parks Outdoor Campus – West
Make sure to check out the always-changing offering of outdoor classes that focus on fishing, camping, hunting and much more. Families are able to enjoy these classes together and discover a new way to enjoy the Black Hills through experiential education.
Performing Arts
Academy of Dance Arts
These exciting dance camps throughout the summer feature thrilling themes like Beach, Bubbles, and Mermaids and Nutcracker Preparation, designed to ignite the passion in dancers ages 3 to 18! Experience fun-filled days of creativity, choreography, movement, and joy that your dancers will absolutely love, all while developing friendships.
Black Hills Community Theatre
“The Adventures of Pericles” is this year’s Summer Stage production at outdoor locations throughout Rapid City in June. Black Hills Community Theatre is excited to bring free theatre to our community for family-fun enjoyment. Youth and adult workshops are also available year-round.
Black Hills String Retreat @ Cedar Canyon Camp
Since 1990, the Black Hills String Retreat has offered youths a wide variety of fun musical activities. There’s a Suzuki Day Camp for preschool to 3rd grade students, and youths in grades 5-12 are offered more intensive and varied programs under the direction of outstanding guest faculty in a casual fun environment. All campers participate in a closing performance concert.
Black Hills Playhouse Jr. Camps
The Black Hills Playhouse Jr. Performing Arts Camps provide a full week overnight camping experience for grades 5-7 and 8-12. The 5-7 graders will explore their skill level and expand their theatre experience and knowledge. The 8-12 program moves youths to expand their capabilities. Both camps are an inclusive and creative theatre experience that focuses on lifetime learning and appreciation
of the arts.
Matthews Opera House & Arts Center
During the summer, Matthews Opera House & Arts Center offers free arts, crafts, and theater camp programs to kids in grades 2-6 and 7-12, where youths experience arts and every aspect of theater inside the historic Matthews Opera House.
Rushmore National Music Camp @ Camp Judson
Rushmore National Music Camp will host senior high students for a week this summer at Camp Judson. Your young musician will have the opportunity to perform in concert and jazz band, along with activities including chess, fitness, dance and choir. Weather permitting, a final concert experience is held at the Mt. Rushmore Amphitheater.
Sports Skill Camps & Youth Programs
Black Hills Rapids Soccer Club
This soccer club is passionate about providing a unique path for every player and offers a Skills Soccer Camp for ages 5-10, and a Summer Soccer Camp for ages 6-13. So, whether your kid wants soccer to be a hobby or if they’re serious about competition, the Black Hills Rapids Soccer Club wants to craft a camp experience that’s right for everyone.
Black Hills State University Yellow Jacket Youth Individual & Team Sports Camps
Elementary, middle school and high school athletes are offered opportunities to develop and improve their basketball skills and abilities. All camps offered are a great basketball experience for athletes of all skill levels.
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Breakthrough Basketball Camps
Boys and girls of all ages who are looking to improve and further their basketball skills will be able to take their game to the next level before next season starts with one of these multi-day basketball camps.
Canyon Lake Little League
Regardless of physical size, skill, strength, gender, religion or nationality, Canyon Lake Little League offers baseball, softball, and a challenger division to kids ages 4-16. A District Travel program is also offered for a more competitive playing opportunity.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Sports Camp
Boys and girls grades 7-12 will receive exceptional athletic instruction in football, basketball, golf, cheer, cross country, swimming, soccer, tennis, track, wrestling, and volleyball. Campers learn practical leadership skills, hear inspirational speakers, engage in nightly programs, build lifelong friendships and more!
Ignite Soccer Club
This youth soccer club is family-focused and emphasizes good sportsmanship and success in both the sport and in life. This Club values fun as much as skill, and offers soccer lovers of all ages more than the traditional recreational league experience.
Nike Softball Camp – Black Hills State University
Girls ages 6-18 will learn proper instruction on how to play the game with some of the best training in the area, while having fun and creating lasting memories. Hitting, fielding, base-running, and game situations will be the primary focus of instruction.
Physio Performance
In partnership with the Black Hills Surgical Hospital Sports Medicine Team, Physio is the Official Strength & Conditioning Providers for all Rapid City Area School student-athletes. There’s a variety of athlete performance training camps throughout the summer at Central & Stevens High School or at the state-of-the-art facility in Rapid City. Camps for all ages & ability levels are led by expert coaches & professionals.
Rapid City Gymnastics Academy
Gymnastics provides youths with coordination, balance, strength, flexibility, and social group interaction. All levels of recreational and competitive gymnastics are welcome to improve their skills this summer at Rapid City Gymnastics Academy, which will feature a guest clinician.
Rapid City Junior Olympic USA Fastpitch Girls Softball League
Opportunities for personal and athletic growth will be provided to girls ages 4-18 as they learn the fundamentals of softball, the spirit of good sportsmanship, honesty and fair play, as endorsed and followed in this Junior Olympic USA Fastpitch Girls Softball League.
Rapid City Parks & Recreation
Swimming, golf, tennis and more. Kids can be registered for summer classes and activities to improve their skills and maybe discover a new love.
Rapid City Sliders Baseball
rapidcitysliders.com
Rapid City Sliders Baseball is the premier youth baseball development and travel program in western SD for ages 11-18. This program provides a way to teach skills and lessons through the game of baseball to prepare your enthusiast for the next level.
Rapid City Youth Baseball Little League
Kids ages 4-12 are offered the opportunity to experience and benefit from the life lessons, socialization, and camaraderie that are the cornerstones of Baseball Little League.
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SD School of Mines Athletics
Learn from SD Mines Hardrockers’ athletic staff during camps for individual youths entering grades 4-12, or for teams who will have the opportunity to play against solid competition in quality facilities. These individual and team skill camps provide the opportunity to improve fundamental skills and good sportsmanship in basketball, soccer, volleyball and football.
Sturgis Soccer Association
This soccer club serves all of western South Dakota. They strive to meet the unique needs of each player – whether their goal is to enjoy soccer as a hobby or sharpen their skills for more competitive play.
YMCA Youth Sports
Empower your child’s potential through a youth sports program at the YMCA. Sports programs at the Y encourage physical fitness, teamwork, and character building in a fun and supportive environment. Dedicated coaches prioritize skill building and self confidence, ensuring every child thrives. Basketball, volleyball and soccer programs are offered.