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Sioux Falls Y Camps have served tens of thousands of kids over the
years. The memories of camp never seem to fade from the minds of campers and staff. One camper from 20 years ago said,
"You can outgrow camp, but you won't outgrow your camp memories ".
The future will offer additional thousands of kids the same opportunities. The Sioux
Falls metro area is growing, and camp is in need of expansion. Presently we cannot expand on our campgrounds due to building
regulations, flooding issues, city road work, etc.
Due to this, we are in need of new land, activity structures, equpment, etc.
If you have a desire to leave a legacy for the campers of the future, here is a partial list
of what will be needed for expansion:
Calling all YMCA Champions, Camp
Alumni, & Friends of Camp!
For 90 years, the
Sioux Falls YMCA has created, developed and established new camping experiences for the children and families of our community.
We are passionate about providing quality programming that plays a vital role
in the development of our community. It is through our strong history, traditions
and experiences that we have successfully established a foundation that allows us to:
· provide
a natural environment for our youth to grow in spirit, mind and body
· demonstrate
Christian values in all we say and do
· develop
and promote leadership, social skills and teamwork
· make
camp scholarships available to lower income families
· create
employment opportunities for area youth
· provide
each child with the happiest two weeks out of the year
Today, we are asking you for the opportunity to
help us expand and grow our programs in order to make it accessible to the growing number of youth in our region.
· Current
location has reached its maximum capacity of 2,900 campers. Our 66 acre property
is land-locked and unable to expand. The result is that we are unable to add
additional programs for the growing number of school aged children.
· Our
existing locations are designated flood way/flood plain. When flooding occurs,
it has a substantial impact on our programs; forcing us to evacuate and relocate all of our activities. Both our Leif Ericson and Xcel North Camp were flooded for two weeks this past summer.
How You Can Help
The YMCA Camp Expansion Committee
is looking for individuals, foundations, or trusts to help us realize our dream for long term growth, sustainability and the
ability to expand our programming activities. In short, we are looking for
an additional camping destination to handle these needs. We want to continue
to expand our 45 year legacy that has served over 68,000 campers since 1966.
Of course we have some specifications in mind;
the most important of all is that the location be in a flood-free area:
· Non-Flood
Way, Non-Flood Plain (must have)
· Within
a 15 to 18 mile radius of Sioux Falls (must have)
· Approximately
100 acres
· Trees
for tree houses, nature education and shade (great to have)
· Flat
ground for field activities and horse programs
· Access
to water close by for a boating program (great to have)
If you or someone you know
has land that may fulfill our needs, who would also be interested in selling or donating land for this purpose, please contact
Mike Gulick for more details about the YMCA’s Camp Expansion Project or to arrange a meeting with members of our Camp
Expansion Committee.
Mike Gulick
President/CEO, Sioux Falls Family YMCA
mgulick@siouxfallsymca.org
605-336-3190
We appreciate any and all help that would help
identify persons or organizations that can help us reach our goal.
Positively, Friends of Leif Ericson and TepeeTonka
Land: 80-100 acres with trees and near water,
preferably a lake. A distance of no more than 20 miles from Sioux Falls. Land adjacent to a state recreation area or park
would enable us to utilize the state facilities also.
Activity Facilities: Small and large shelters. Small ones,
such as our overnight shelters in our present location, and larger ones such as our "Big Top" shelters. Ranges for Archery
and BB guns, craft and music structures, and nature facilities will be needed.
It is the dream of camp to one day have a four story nature tower that would allow for nature observation and an astronomical
observatory for overnights.
Water Activities: Boats, motors (electric), canoes, Kayaks, fishing equipment, docks,
life jackets, etc.
Transportation and maintenance: Pick-up trucks, ATV or golf carts, mini-bus, Bobcat,
tools, fencing, mowers, roads, electricity lines, water lines, wells, pumps, gates, etc.
Hiking and Nature: Gravel, kiosks, observation stations, books,
binoculars, telescopes, bridges, compass', handheld GPS, native plant/flower seed, bird feeders, bird houses, trees, shrubs,
etc.
Chapel: Shelter, seating, stage, sound system, etc.
First Aid: First Aid kits, bandages, ointments, gloves, CPR equipment, etc.
Horse Program: Tack, shelter, feed, fencing, medicines, grooming
materials, etc.
Activity Equipment: Slides, tunnels, mazes, castles, soccer goals,
nets, basketball equipment, balls, storage, Air Rifles, bows and arrows, targets, etc.
Communication: Field phones, large camp bell, etc.
Most of the above needs are things we have or do at our present in-city location. A new location
would need some of the same and some different materials.
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