Suit up for adventure, and rocket away as we explore the sun, moon, planets and many more wonders above our atmosphere! Campers travel to the stars in our Journey Beyond the Known Planetarium and study the behavior of matter through time and space with interactive, hands-on experiments.
8:00am-12:00pm
Session One: every Monday June 2-23
Session Two: every Monday July 7-28
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
Artificial Intelligence is all the rage, but it begins with simple code instructions to a robot. Campers learn the basics of coding and robotics and ignite their curiosity, building with LEGOs and thinking creatively about how their machines can perform tasks to solve a set of sticky problems.
July 8th, 22nd, and 29th:
1:00pm - 5:00pm
July 15th
8:00am - 12:00pm
Session One: every Tuesday June 3-24
Session Two: every Tuesday July 8-29
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
Capital Area United Way is supporting our efforts to build central South Dakota LEGO League—this means a 50% registration discount to our Robotics Camp (grades 3-5)!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
Movies, photography, painting, do you know the science of color, chemicals, and special effects? Campers get their hands dirty as they walk the line where art and science meet. In the process they find out how artists impact the way scientists communicate with everyday people.
8:00am-12:00pm
Session One: every Thursday June 5-26
Session Two: every Thursday July 10-31
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
Suit up for adventure, and rocket away as we explore the sun, moon, planets and many more wonders above our atmosphere! Campers travel to the stars in our Journey Beyond the Known Planetarium and study the behavior of matter through time and space with interactive, hands-on experiments.
8:00am-12:00pm
Session One: every Monday June 2-23
Session Two: every Monday July 7-28
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
Artificial Intelligence is all the rage, but it begins with simple code instructions to a robot. Campers learn the basics of coding and robotics and ignite their curiosity, building with LEGOs and thinking creatively about how their machines can perform tasks to solve a set of sticky problems.
July 8th, 22nd, and 29th:
1:00pm - 5:00pm
July 15th
8:00am - 12:00pm
Session Two: every Tuesday July 8-29
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
Capital Area United Way is supporting our efforts to build central South Dakota LEGO League—this means a 50% registration discount to our Robotics Camp (grades 3-5)!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
Movies, photography, painting, do you know the science of color, chemicals, and special effects? Campers get their hands dirty as they walk the line where art and science meet. In the process they find out how artists impact the way scientists communicate with everyday people.
8:00am-12:00pm
Session One: every Thursday June 5-26
Session Two: every Thursday July 10-31
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
Suit up for adventure, and rocket away as we explore the sun, moon, planets and many more wonders above our atmosphere! Campers travel to the stars in our Journey Beyond the Known Planetarium and study the behavior of matter through time and space with interactive, hands-on experiments.
8:00am-12:00pm
Session One: every Monday June 2-23
Session Two: every Monday July 7-28
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
Artificial Intelligence is all the rage, but it begins with simple code instructions to a robot. Campers learn the basics of coding and robotics and ignite their curiosity, building with LEGOs and thinking creatively about how their machines can perform tasks to solve a set of sticky problems.
July 8th, 22nd, and 29th:
1:00pm - 5:00pm
July 15th
8:00am - 12:00pm
Session One: every Tuesday June 3-24
Session Two: every Tuesday July 8-29
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
Capital Area United Way is supporting our efforts to build central South Dakota LEGO League—this means a 50% registration discount to our Robotics Camp (grades 3-5)!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
Movies, photography, painting, do you know the science of color, chemicals, and special effects? Campers get their hands dirty as they walk the line where art and science meet. In the process they find out how artists impact the way scientists communicate with everyday people.
8:00am-12:00pm
Session One: every Thursday June 5-26
Session Two: every Thursday July 10-31
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
July is a two-fer. We will take a walk looking for "fly-bys", that is dragonflies and butterflies.We will meet at 8:30 at the Lewis and Clark trailhead at the Farm Island West Boat Ramp parking lot (map) and walk about a mile looking for butterflies and dragonflies. We will, of course, be looking for birds too. This is a chance to practice your photography of flittery, flying things.
You must have a state park entrance pass to participate. Beginners and experts welcome. We welcome families but regret we cannot supervise those under the age of 14.
Bring a camera, hat, water bottle and bug repellent like lemon eucalyptus or picaridin sprays (no DEET please). We will have some on hand for those without.
Suit up for adventure, and rocket away as we explore the sun, moon, planets and many more wonders above our atmosphere! Campers travel to the stars in our Journey Beyond the Known Planetarium and study the behavior of matter through time and space with interactive, hands-on experiments.
8:00am-12:00pm
Session One: every Monday June 2-23
Session Two: every Monday July 7-28
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
Artificial Intelligence is all the rage, but it begins with simple code instructions to a robot. Campers learn the basics of coding and robotics and ignite their curiosity, building with LEGOs and thinking creatively about how their machines can perform tasks to solve a set of sticky problems.
July 8th, 22nd, and 29th:
1:00pm - 5:00pm
July 15th
8:00am - 12:00pm
Session One: every Tuesday June 3-24
Session Two: every Tuesday July 8-29
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
Capital Area United Way is supporting our efforts to build central South Dakota LEGO League—this means a 50% registration discount to our Robotics Camp (grades 3-5)!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
Movies, photography, painting, do you know the science of color, chemicals, and special effects? Campers get their hands dirty as they walk the line where art and science meet. In the process they find out how artists impact the way scientists communicate with everyday people.
8:00am-12:00pm
Session One: every Thursday June 5-26
Session Two: every Thursday July 10-31
We are excited to offer flexible camp days for the 2025 season! If you have visiting grandchildren or friends, need to watch your expenses, or if you’re worried about a vacation taking away from your child’s ability to participate in camp, you can pick your days!
Each camp runs once per week for four weeks in June before repeating in July and you can register day-by-day! Each camp day is $25 for members and $31.25 for nonmembers. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register quickly!
âSDDC Members can enter in the discount code "MEMBER" to receive a 20% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Employees and members of SDDC partner organizations can enter their specific organization as a discount code (AVERA, YMCA, BGC, GOLD) to receive a 10% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page.
Campers who receive economic assistance can enter the specific discount code (TANF, WIC, SNAP, DSS) to receive a 50% discount off of their total registration. Enter your code at the bottom of the Contact Information page. more info...
We are back at Farm Island looking for summer migrants, either those that are passing through or those who are wrapping up their breeding season here. Join us for a leisurely walk to see what we can see. Bring your binoculars as birds are not as vocal as they are in the spring so we rely more on sight than ear.
And for those who enjoy reporting to E-bird or iNaturalist, bring your cameras!
No experience necessary. Those with birding expertise are welcome to share their knowledge. While we welcome young birders under the age of 14, we regret we cannot provide supervision.
Please note that a park entrance pass is necessary for this event. more info...
Best For Last: November 20, 2025 Grow Here, Play Here
Get your ticket to our biggest celebration of hands-on science education!
Every dollar raised supports staff and activities in the SDDC Exhibit Hall, a science playground for ALL to enjoy! Join the generations of children, and adults, who have grown up with greater access to hands-on learning and fun!
The Best for Last reverse raffle takes place on November 20, 2025. You get to enjoy delicious local vittles and chances to win fabulous prizes, including a 1 in 252 chance at $10,000. Fabulous odds!
Bioinspired Fluid Dynamics Research Experience for Teachers and Students Dates to be arranged with Dr Basu.
The Biomedical and Bioinspired Fluid Dynamics Lab (Basu Lab), directed by Dr. Saikat Basu at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State University, is inviting high school teachers and students to participate in their NSF CAREER-funded project. The topic is on respiratory fluid mechanics and how art could be incorporated in biophysics modeling studies. Participants will spend 3 days on SDSU's campus. Teachers will create a learning module based on the experience.
Recruitment asks:
- We are looking for Science teachers (with interest in integrating art with cutting-edge biophysics research) at the high schools in the region, with preference for institutions in the Tribal reservations.
- Time commitment: 3-4 days in Summer (specific schedule is flexible, we will pick the mutually best possible week during June/July/Early August)
- The teacher will bring around approximately 3 students to Brookings and work on projects described.
- The learning module developed from the camp activities could be shared with the students at the home institution.
- We will also develop a poster outlining the experience of the workshop days
- The students can present the poster at regional/local science fairs
Benefits:
- $1000 stipend for each teacher
- Reimbursement for other expenses and covered accommodation and meals
- Small stipends on the scale of $100 for each student participant
- SDSU certificates for each student participant
- Long-term mentorship for the student participants
To indicate your interest, please email Saikat.Basu@sdstate.edu . Include your name and teaching position. OR complete this registration form and your information will be sent to Dr. Basu. more info...
July is a two-fer. We will take a walk looking for "fly-bys", that is dragonflies and butterflies.We will meet at 8:30 at the Lewis and Clark trailhead at the Farm Island West Boat Ramp parking lot (
We are back at Farm Island looking for summer migrants, either those that are passing through or those who are wrapping up their breeding season here. Join us for a leisurely walk to see what we can see. Bring your binoculars as birds are not as vocal as they are in the spring so we rely more on sight than ear.
Dates to be arranged with Dr Basu.