Thunderhead Episcopal Center - TEC

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Thunderhead Episcopal Center - TEC

Thunderhead Episcopal Center (TEC) is the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota's primary camping ministry located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.

(This is the official Thunderhead Camp page of the Diocese of South Dakota.)

07/02/2026

🌲 There's still time to get to camp this summer! 🌲
Environmental Camp — All Ages is Thunderhead's final session of 2026, and this year we've opened it up to EVERYONE. Families, couples, individual adults, and youth campers ages 10–17 are all welcome to join us in the Black Hills.

📅 July 12–17
📍 Thunderhead Episcopal Center, Lead, SD
Led by Rev. Dr. Christina O'Hara (priest, Good Shepherd Sioux Falls) and Dr. David O'Hara (professor of Environmental Studies), this week blends hands-on time in creation with daily worship, campfires, arts & crafts, and a closing Eucharist. Kids under 10 come with a parent or guardian — youth 10-17 can attend on their own as residential campers.

💚 Camperships and financial assistance are available for anyone — no one is turned away for lack of funds, and all requests are confidential.
Registration closes July 10 — don't wait!

👉 Register at https://forms.gle/W7iSttiRu7R8NsyR6
Questions? [email protected] | Camp office: 605-584-2233

06/28/2026

Middle School Camp starts today! The Rev. Kimberly Folts and her friend, the Rev. Sally Franklin, are the camp's chaplains. They will use the 2024 animated sci fi movie, The Wild Robot, to focus on showing kindness and offering service to those around us. We are looking forward to a fun week!

06/22/2026

Elementary Camp is underway now! Middle School Camp is June 28-July 3, and High School Camp is July 5-10. If your child's grade camp doesn't work with your schedule--or they want to come back for more TEC--consider Environmental Camp! Environmental Camp is the last camp of the season, July 12-17, led by the Rev. Dr. Christina Swenson O'Hara and Dr. David O'Hara, Canon of Creation Care for our Diocese. It is open to rising 7th-12th graders, as well as 2026 graduates. The land around Thunderhead Episcopal Camp will be our classroom, our playground, and our worship space. Campers will learn about the unique habitat and ecology of the Paha Sapa (Black Hills). We will hike to the Outdoor Chapel, and we will learn about the plants and animals in the area as we walk and talk. We will share snacks on the trail and Eucharist on the hilltop. Trips to local watersheds like Roughlock Falls and Spearfish Creek will allow us to wade in cool water and to talk about creation care and the importance of faithful stewardship of natural resources. No prior environmental experience is required. Last day to register for a ride to camp is June 30. Camp routes run along I-90. Those providing their own transportation can register closer to the camp start date.
https://www.thunderheadec.org/summer-camps

06/21/2026

Elementary Camp starts today for rising 3rd-5th Graders, led by Canon Lauren Stanley of Pierre and Deacon Marty Garwood of Rapid City. Using “The Wizard of Oz" & "The Wiz,” campers will explore courage, compassion, wisdom, connection, trusting intuition, and independence as Dorothy goes on her hero’s journey. Campers will search out the Gospel message of love throughout the story. Camp ends Thursday. Thanks to today's drivers, Lee Lewis and Libby Lewis, and Harold and Becky Walker. Please pray for safe travels and wonderful growth opportunities for our campers this week!

06/14/2026

Camp looks beautiful today - a huge shout out to our friends at Black Hills Equipment Rentals for loaning us a mower last week! And to Walker and Becky for mowing the grounds.

Today we're welcoming families of all shapes and sizes from across the diocese for Family Camp.

06/09/2026

This Friday (6/12) is the deadline to register for Family Camp at Thunderhead Episcopal Center! Camp dates are June 14-18. This is great family time and a wonderful way to introduce kids to camp. It is also open to individuals and couples wanting a spiritual retreat in the beautiful Black Hills.

The Rev. Ramona Hayes of St. Paul's, Brookings, is chaplain. By connecting morning devotionals with interactive recreation, campers will explore their unique, spiritual gifts and learn how to actively live out their beliefs. Exploring the camp theme of faith in action, love without limits, campers will explore God’s purpose and call in our lives and practice radical love through scripture, reflection, crafts, music, and games. Plus, lots of campfire time and other outdoor fun.

Cost is $100 per person, with a maximum cost of $400 per family. Financial assistance is always available, and requests are handled with care and confidentiality. Questions? Contact Canon Sierra at [email protected]

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecB_76HyiCiq0hQO8cN0cxsjAFnRKnnQRrU_52-bgE07XuGA/viewform

06/02/2026

Deacon Bonnie Slusher (shown with husband Kim, who built the new grill enclosure and the fire pit they're sitting on) is the chaplain for Counselor In Training/Leadership (CIT) Camp. CIT is June 7-12 for rising 10th-12th Graders. "We will map our faith journeys and talk about using our spiritual gifts to bless others by our actions," says Bonnie of All Angels, Spearfish. One of Bonnie's gifts is being fluent in American Sign Language. "In keeping with Faith in Action, my sign language knowledge will come into play through prayer, awareness, music, and call." CIT Camp will empower the next generation of leaders and build practical skills in a wilderness setting. It's for the mature teen who is ready to move into mentorship. Fee is $125 with scholarships available. Get registered today at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHRRnnsg2dmfHhEaTOMUoMEXvVfuRi36N8_jCqvN_8mmdZyw/viewform

06/01/2026

The first two staff members have arrived to join Camp Director Sierra Gore Kacher at TEC for the summer camping season! Ashton Legerski and Priscilla Hagerman got right to work stocking up on provisions. Now they're enjoying the peace and beauty of TEC while they await the arrival of others for staff training. Get registered for camp asap!
https://www.thunderheadec.org/summer-camps

05/26/2026

New life at Thunderhead Episcopal Center! The wild strawberries that grow on the grounds are flowering, and baby robins are hatching. After being closed last summer for camp improvements, a new TEC season begins with Counselor In Training/Leadership Camp on June 7. This is for rising 10th through 12th graders ready to move into mentorship roles at camp and beyond. Deacon Bonnie Slusher of All Angels, Spearfish, is the chaplain for this camp.

Get those camp registrations in - link below - and contact camp director Canon Sierra Gore Kacher with any questions: [email protected] or 618-799-2939.

Faith in Action, Love Without Limits.

https://www.thunderheadec.org/summer-camps

Address

21978 Highway 85 S
Lead, SD
57754

Website

https://www.thunderheadec.org/

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