EYC Summer Plans 2007: South Dakota

 

EYC Summer Mission Trip

Thunderhead Episcopal Center in Lead, South Dakota

 

Purpose:

The mission of the church is to restore unity to all people with God.  In this mission, we are called to journey out and find our unknown neighbors.  We are called to do the work of reconciliation and connection that makes the kingdom of God present here on earth.  This trip aims to provide our youth with the opportunity to explore this mission in a cross-cultural setting in our own United States. 

 

The Niobrara Convocation is a gathering of Lakota-Episcopal clergy and laity that has been going on for over one hundred years.  There, they will have the chance to meet and experience the spokespeople for the Lakota Christian experience in South Dakota.  We will be meeting with the Bishop of South Dakota who is delighted to welcome us.

 

The Thunderhead Episcopal Center is the diocesan camp property, located in the beautiful Black Hills.  The camp is a church-based camp focusing on cross-cultural exchange.  The kids are a mixture of local Lakota teenagers from the Diocese of South Dakota and other youth groups from around the country.

 

This year, I have been invited to act as chaplain to these camps.  The pattern of the camp experience will largely be modeled on Taize, and our youth will begin turning the reflective experiences they have had at Taize toward outreach and mission. 

 

 

Dates: June 21 or 22 through June 29

 

Itinerary:

  • (Thursday or Friday)Flight from NYC to Sioux Falls, SD, spend the night in Sioux Falls
  • Drive (21/2 hours) from Sioux Falls to Chamberlain, SD for Niobrara Convocation
  • Sunday, June 24, Drive from Chamberlain to Lead, South Dakota (4 ½ hours)
  • Sunday night through Thursday night, at the Thunderhead Episcopal Center, participating and leading the high school camp session.  Friday, drive back to Sioux Falls, fly home.

 

Cost:

Total trip cost will be in the neighborhood of $800.  Costs to be finalized when we know exactly who’s going.

 

Chaperones:

Rita Powell and Father Lucas Grubbs of Christ Church New Haven will help lead the trip.  Lucas is a native of Idaho and a priest who is familiar with the spiritual landscape of South Dakota.