Gregory County Historical Society (Burke-Herrick-Lucas Chapter) (Herrick)

Contact: Barb White
  P.O. Box 234
  Herrick, SD 57538
  Phone:  605.775.2903
  E-mail:   bbwhite@gwtc.net
  Website:  www.herrickelevator.com/retreats

Herrick Elevator:  Helps people experience stories, places and people of historical Lakota in order to understand social, cultural and economic complexities of Lakotan life today.  The Great Sioux Nation existed in this location 107 years ago and continues living in the area.  Speakers from the Rosebud Sioux nation accompany visiting groups.  Through cultural exchange and service-learning opportunities, program coordinators encourage great participation in and appreciation for the community traditions of the Rosebud Sioux, including Milk's Camp Community.

Project/Focus:Two itineraries suggested.

1. Stay at Herrick, SD in renovated historic grain elevator.  Engage in immersion experiences of day-long journeys to Rosebud Sioux and the Milk Camp  Lakotan community.  Sample Itinerary.  Service-learning projects can be arranged with the local Lakota community.  Projects might include3 cemetery upkeep for Milk's Camp Community (a community of the Rosebud Sioux) or painting.  Projects might also include clean up and repairs for the Episcopal church set in place in 1903 by Chief Milk's children; or for the UCC church's recreation center and cabin construction.
2. South Dakota Lakota Pilgrimage.  Immersion experiences with Rosebud Sioux, including Milk's Camp Community - 2 days.  Journey west to Pine Ridge Reservation, Wounded Knee Monument, geographic Badlands, and Mount Rushmore - 3 days.  Return to Herrick for reflection, integration, and advocacy planning - 1-2 days.

Educational/Advocacy Components:Groups are immersed in shared Native and European American history, including integral issues of justice.  Practice cross-cultural communication.  Accept the invitation of local community to a Pow-Wow.  Explore how history affects the present, locally and nationally.  Engage in theological reflection.  Tools for learning cross-cultural competencies and advocacy are available.

Time:May through September

Group Size: 10-18 for lodging at Herrick Elevator or larger groups possible with lodging at UCC Rec. Center or Herrick Catholic Church.

Minimum Age: High School-aged

Adult to Youth Ratio:  1:6 with both male and female advisers for mixed gender groups.

Conditions:Herrick Elevator:  5 bedrooms with twin, queen and bunk beds, bath/shower, and fully-equipped kitchen.  UCC Rec. Center and Herrick Catholic Church:  open floor plan.  Herrick Church Parsonage:  2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, seating, and full kitchen.

Cost: $300 per person for 6 nights.  Transportation and food not included.  Cost of service supplies are individual to each project.

Sample Educational Itinerary

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RE-MEMBER (Pine Ridge)

Contact: Ted Skantze, Executive Director
  P.O. Box 5054
  Pine Ridge, SD 57770
  South Dakota Office:  605.837.2285
  South Dakota Office Fax:  605.867.2285
  Work Cell:  605.454.5130
  Personal Cell:  616.292.6467
  E-mail:  ted@re-member.org

Volunteer Trip Coordinator (Paula Sibal) at:
  Re-Member
  9440 Marsh Road
  Plainwell, MI 49080
  Phone: 616.550.7180
  Fax: 866.583.1719
  Email:  trips@re-member.org
  Website: www.re-member.org 

Re-Member  works with the Oglala Lakota Nation on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  Volunteers participate in work projects across the Reservation, helping rebuild relationships, homes and lives.

Project/Focus: Projects include building and installing bunk beds in the homes of Oglala Lakota families on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, outhouses, trailer skirting/steps/decks and rehabilitation and renovation of homes. The weeklong trips are divided between service and cultural immersion.

Educational/Advocacy Components: Cultural immersion activities scheduled in afternoons and evenings, including guest speakers, Lakota crafts, tours, museums, and social gatherings with Lakota friends.

Time: Groups are scheduled from the last week in February (to accommodate alternative spring breaks) through the middle of October.  Registration is secured on receipt of deposit and completed Trip Reservation Agreement, sent out by Trip Coordinator.

Group Size: 60 persons maximum per trip week, Memorial Day through Labor Day, with a group size cap of 20.  In the spring and fall:  40 per trip week with a group size cap of 13.  Subject to availability after cutoff of 2 months prior to trip date, group sizes may be increased.

Minimum Age: 13 years During Family Weeks (2 per summer) children age 6-12 are welcomed, and special programming is provided for them.

Adult to Youth Ratio:  1:6

Accommodations: Dormitory-style housing with bunk beds, bathrooms, and showers. Full kitchen and dining facilities on site. Groups assist full-time kitchen staff in preparing and clean up of meals.  All meals are provided, as is all transportation during the trip week.  Shuttle service is available, at additional costs, for volunteers flying into rapid City, SD, which is approximately 90 miles away.

Cost: $390 per person includes housing and meals, and transportation from Saturday evening through Friday morning and some local transportation.

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