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Pre Departure Information

Thank you for dedicating your time and talents to serve youth and families on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. The amount of time that you will be in these communities is relatively short. A much longer stay is needed to develop lasting relationships, to truly 1earn about the Lakota people or to “impact issues” of poverty, alcoholism, and education. This said, your visit is a great first step in your learning. The following are some suggestions and basic information that will assist you and us in making your experience fulfilling and educational. If you have further questions, please call or email: crandall@siouxymca.org  (605) 365-5232   (605) 365-5230 fax     (605) 365-5765.

As a volunteer or summer staff person, you representative the Sioux YMCA, a community service organization whose primary focus is to provide programs and services for children and families. We endeavor to create service and project options based on community needs and your group’s skills. Volunteer groups have a short orientation before the first working day. The sudden extremes of weather and dynamics within the communities create change. Options, rather than concrete plans, provide flexible choices for a possible last minute change or cancellation. A positive exchange and experience will involve a sense of humor, including the ability to laugh at your self, patience, listening and above all, flexibility.

Often, individuals or volunteer groups come to the Cheyenne River Reservation with inaccurate, preconceived notions of Native Americans and Reservation life. These ideas usually stem from common media stereotypes, false assumptions and agendas of various authors or media.  Each Native Peoples has its own history, culture and current day issues. The dynamics within the communities on the Cheyenne River Reservation vary from each other as reservations vary from each other. Listen, observe and learn.

We encourage you to visit cultural events that might be happening in the area, but we ask that you do not come with an agenda and a list of ceremonies you want to partake in. Visiting or working on the Reservation is not like going to Disney Land. The Sioux YMCA is not in the business of tourism, rather we are here to serve and work towards the best interests of the youth and their families. You will have the opportunity to have a “cultural talk” with a community member. When you come with the mind set to serve and “get what you get”, you will have a richer experience, a clearer understanding of the Lakota culture and some ideas about the challenges faced by the people today.

During your stay here, regardless of your age, we require everyone commit to live an alcohol, tobacco and drug free lifestyle while on the Reservation. The serious drug and alcohol problems on the Reservation do not permit us to send mixed messages to the children and adults through our behaviors. You will be asked to leave immediately if you cannot abide by this request.

Project Options:

bullet You can expect to work with children and teens, for they are the primary focus of the Sioux YMCAs. The After School Program runs from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Summer Day Camps begin around 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., with outdoor activities or sports possible until or after sunset. Activities such as: crafts, sports, movies, board games, storytelling, table tennis, foosball, air hockey, basketball, volleyball and pool are popular.  You can also develop your own special activities. The Y does not have a gym or swimming pool. It is a log cabin structure with electric heat and no air conditioning. We have a deck and a large grass area adjacent to the building with a few trees, horse shoe pits and picnic tables.
bullet Lakota Achiever teens have leadership meetings, do community service projects and take trips to colleges/technical schools, places of work and recreational sites.  
bullet Elders. We serve a Soup and Social lunch twice per week. Bingo played for dish and laundry soap, toilet paper, grooming items and other useful things. Other assistance and activities may be needed.
bullet Fitness and health are issues facing the people. Sports, physical activities, education and other activities target high rates of diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
bullet Summer Lunch Program for youth, Monday – Friday, 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
bullet The Y has several public computers. Assistance with computer lessons and maintenance is appreciated. There is DSL Internet service.
bullet Assistance with setup and sales of rummage.
bullet Indoor or outdoor painting of buildings, minor repairs, cleaning and organizing.
bullet Other options per requests from various people, communities and per the talents of your group.

What to Bring:

bullet Be prepared to sleep on folding cots. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow. If necessary, separate areas for men and women are possible.
bullet Towels and personal care items. The Y has a stall shower and two small areas with toilet and sink. Hot water is limited. Scheduling the showers works well for groups.
bullet Casual clothing such as, untorn jeans, cotton pants, tee or sweat shirts, mid-thigh shorts, are acceptable. Men need to keep their shirts on and women are asked to not wear low-cut, mid-drift revealing, spaghetti strap tops. This is a conservative society. There is a laundry in Dupree. Please do not wear clothing that “advertises” beer, sex, drinking, drug paraphernalia and such.
bullet Sneakers or closed toe shoes are advised. Our dirt roads become very muddy with rain or snow and the prairie has unseen hazards.
bullet The YMCA has a small kitchen. Groups may bring enough food for the entire week, or you can purchase your groceries after you arrive. Storage space is limited. If driving, please try to bring large plastic coolers and tubs to store your items. The grocery store in Dupree closes by 6:00 p.m. and is not open on Sundays/holidays. The Eagle Butte grocery store, Lakota Thrifty Mart, on the corner of Rt. 212 and Main Street is open seven days and closes by 9:00 p.m. It is 22 miles one-way from Dupree and has the best selection and prices. Groups, please bring paper plates and plastic ware. We have limited pots and pans. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be more expensive if purchased here. There is a Taco John, Dairy Queen and sub-sandwich places in Eagle Butte. Dupree has a café.
bullet Most stores on the Reservation have a limited selection of items and brand name goods. If you or any member of your group needs a specific item, such as contact lens solution, special dietary food or medication, they should bring enough for the entire trip/stay.
bullet The YMCA has a safe for your cash and small valuables. We suggest you leave your valuable jewelry and other expensive items at home. There is an ATM at the Cenex gas station on Rt. 212 in Dupree and in Eagle Butte. Banks have limited hours.
bullet Cell phones generally do not work on the Reservation. Please bring a calling card for long distance calls.
bullet Many groups bring arts and crafts supplies, sports equipment, books and games to use while they are here. We also have a Wish List for items we’d like donated. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding what is needed and what you’d like to donate.
bullet In the summer bring sunscreen, a hat and insect repellant containing Deet. Ticks and snakes are plentiful on the prairie, so bring a pair of long pants and socks. Bottled water is advisable. It is very arid here and serious dehydration is possible. Temperatures range from 114 to 50 degrees in the summer and 60 above to 20 below in the winter.  A windbreaker or sweatshirt is advised. Thunderstorms can be severe and contain high winds and extensive lightning. The reward for the extreme weather conditions is the night sky, sunsets and 360 degree views for over thirty miles.
bullet The Sioux YMCA Arts & Crafts Project helps local artists by buying their Native American crafts and jewelry. You will have the opportunity to purchase items. Most items range from $10 - $35 and easily fit in backpacks/suitcases. We accept VISA and MasterCard.

Fees:

We ask that you assist us with a donation of $200, for groups up to twelve people, to cover utilities, maintenance supplies and other expenses that occur during your stay.

Transportation:

The closest major airport is in Rapid City, over three hours driving time, one-way (going 65mph) from Dupree. There is a smaller airport in Pierre, about two hours distance. Northwest and United Airlines serve this area. Make your air reservations as early as possible. There are no train or bus services to the Reservation.  Car rental can be very difficult in the summer as the Black Hills are very popular with tourists. If you need to rent a vehicle, arrange it well in advance. Depending on weather conditions, staff and our scheduled program activities, we might be able to pick up a small group or individual. We will need to discuss this with us prior to your trip. Arrivals and departures by air travel early in the morning or late at night are not advised given long distances, remoteness and weather conditions.

Please keep in mind that South Dakota is sparsely populated and that the weather and driving conditions can be dangerous year-round and change very fast. Watch out for deer, road repair, large farm equipment, cattle drives and sudden summer and winter storms. Drive safely and keep you gas tank at least half full at all times. Gas/service stations are few and far between (up to 200 miles) and might not be open on holidays and Sundays. Make good use of rest stops and outhouses when available. Keep to main, paved roads. We can assist you with planning the best driving route. Cell phones, for the most part, do not work out here.

The gravel/dirt roads on can be extremely dangerous. We have had volunteers get into accidents by driving to fast on these unfamiliar roads. These roads have washboards and loose gravel, both which make it very easy to lose control of your vehicle and roll over. Please drive slowly, 20-30 mph, on gravel/dirt roads. Thunderstorms arise quickly and heavy rains can cause muddy conditions, making driving literally impossible.

If arriving other than Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., you will need to make arrangements for us to meet you when you arrive in Dupree. Main Street is directly off (south) of Route 212. There is a Cenex convenience station on 212, near the turnoff. Go south on Main Street for two blocks, turn left, go another two blocks and you will see the YMCA log building and sign. We are on Mountain Time in the winter and Mountain Daylight Savings Time in the summer.