Dakota Dreams SDSU Summer Camp

The Dakota Dreams summer camp program is a three-year grant awarded to the South Dakota Board of Regents (BOR) from the South Dakota Department of Education (DOE) in February 2022. This grant provides rising 7th and 8th graders week-long, residential summer camps hosted on university campuses with day trips to area technical colleges during the summers of 2022, 2023 and 2024. Camps are designed to help students explore career options and how they relate to educational choices in middle school, high school and college.

Students arrive at the camp on Sunday and depart on Thursday. During their time at camp, they will experience four days on a university campus and one day trip to an area technical college while learning about career pathways through hands-on activities. Additionally, during their camp experience, they will take business and industry tours to observe careers in action.

These camps are provided at no cost to campers. All expenses are included, i.e., instruction, lodging in the university residence halls, dining at university dining facilities, social activities, and transportation throughout the week. This opportunity is being funded with federal dollars available to South Dakota Department of Education (DOE) through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Transportation to and from the camp is not provided. Parents, guardians or designated representatives will be responsible for the transportation to and from camp.

Parents/guardians submit applications for their students to attend camp at Our Dakota Dreams.

In 2024, the application for camp participation will open February 1, 2024

In 2022, the following logic was applied when selecting campers:

1. Camp preference
2. High priority school district by need (as determined by school districts labeled Title I and/or Excessive Absenteeism during COVID)
3. Student grade level in Fall 2023
4. Date of application

Applicants were first sorted by their #1 camp preference. Then they were sorted by high priority school districts and grade level. All rising 8th graders in the high priority districts were admitted into the summer 2023 camps. Once those students were accepted, the remaining camp spots were filled with rising 7th graders from high priority districts. The date of application was used to prioritize these 7th graders. When there were additional camp spots remaining beyond those in high priority districts, rising 8th graders from non-priority districts were accepted. Their date of application was used to determine priority.

In 2024, same logic applies when selecting campers, except that if any applicants attended a camp in 2023, they will be dropped to the bottom of the list.

Notification emails from the Board of Regents grant administrator are sent to students accepted into each camp shortly after the application is closed. Responses are monitored for cancellations, and when cancellations are received, individual emails to the next students on the waitlist are sent. Shortly thereafter, another email is sent to all applicants who are not placed at one of the camps, notifying them of their waitlist status.

Shortly after the acceptance email, an introductory email from each campus will be sent to parents to provide an early welcome and other information such as an overview of check-in and check-out times (if available), information about the opening luncheon/orientation, and what to pack.

Parents/guardians will receive a DocuSign form via e-mail with an RSVP for the Sunday lunch and additional waiver forms.

During the week prior to camp, a series of parent/guardian e-mails will be sent with final information and important reminders.

SDSU will also provide parents a staff cell phone number in case of issues throughout the week.

During application, parents are required to sign a Release and Waiver of Liability; Assumption of Risk Agreement; and Indemnity Agreement. They are also asked to provide a media consent if they are comfortable. After acceptance to the SDSU camp, parents will be asked to sign additional SDSU camp documents including:

1. Release and Waiver of Liability; Assumption of Risk Agreement; Indemnity Agreement; and Consent to Medical Treatment and Emergency Contact Form
2. Parent/Guardian Self-Administration of Medication, Release and Waiver Form
3. Parent/Guardian Consent for Over-the-Counter Medication Form
4. Media, Photo and Video Release, Waiver, Indemnity and Hold Harmless Form (optional)
5. Camper Code of Conduct

Room assignments are made based on roommate preferences first and then grade level next. If only one camper indicates a preferred roommate on the application, they are not assigned to the same room since both campers must indicate that on the form to be matched.

When selecting career pathway sessions, camps are asked to give preference to high demand professions in South Dakota, including careers in Teacher Education, Nursing, Health Sciences, Finance/Accounting, Marketing, Business, Engineering and anything STEM related. They are also encouraged to highlight career fields that set their campus apart from others.

Camper reflection on the career pathway sessions, business tours and overall experience is a critical component of camp. The SDSU Dakota Dreams Camp includes various opportunities to foster reflection and learning. Examples include formal reflection opportunities in the evenings during small group time as well as informally during meals/transitions.

Check-in will occur in the residence hall. Check-in should be followed by an orientation lunch for parents/guardians and campers. Additional details will be provided in the camp communications.

The SDSU Dakota Dreams Camp has a code of conduct to outline camper expectations and ensure a safe and fun experience for all campers. The camper and parent/guardian will be asked to sign the code of conduct at the orientation lunch.

Dakota Dreams Camper Code of Conduct

We, the undersigned, agree that (camper’s name) will obey the rules of conduct for the SDSU Dakota Dreams Camp

1. Attend and be on time at all events and activities.
2. Observe hours set for being in rooms at night.
3. Avoid abuse of room furnishing. Participants will pay for damages done.
4. Boys and girls will be housed on separate floors. No boys will be allowed on the girls’ floor or in a girl’s room nor will girls be allowed on the boys’ floor or in a boy’s room as individuals or groups.
5. Participants will remain in their assigned groups throughout the events and activities of the camp. Youth are not to leave campus or training sites at any time except for scheduled off campus activities with chaperones.
6. Participants are to wear name tags at all times.
7. Observe rules of good manners and proper grooming (manner of dress, make-up, hairdo, haircut, cleanliness, etc.)
8. Participant possession or use of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, tobacco products, or vape products is prohibited. Violation of this regulation will result in the participant being sent home at their expense.
9. Any forms of fighting, bullying, and harassment will not be tolerated and will result in the participant being sent home at their own expense.
10. Be actively engaged in camp activities. Campers will not use their cell phones or other electronic devices during camp activities and presentations.

Conduct not in keeping with the high standards of South Dakota State University will not be tolerated.

Flagrant violation of points listed above will result in the camper being sent home at their own expense.

We understand the reason for this agreement is to ensure conduct and behavior that will result in every participant receiving the full benefit and enjoyment of the education experience at the SDSU Dakota Dreams Camp, and it is not intended to place undue restriction upon them.

Camper Signature:
Date:
Parent/Guardian Signature:
Date:

Campers will experience various aspects of the South Dakota State University campus life during the Dakota Dreams Camp, including an evening at the Miller Wellness Center and a science show.