Caring adult mentors
With the support and guidance of the LYD leadership, Elder advisors and skilled business mentors, our youth are immersed in a safe non-judgmental nurturing environment that inspires trust, healthy relationships, and leadership development.
We are certified for Project Venture's Positive Prevention Model. Our camps and out of school programs are offered for youth in Gregory, Todd, Mellette and Tripp Counties in South Dakota.
2025 Retreats
January 24-26
February 7-9
February 21-23
March 7-9
March 21-23
April 4-6
April 25-27 (tentative)
May 16-18
August 22-24
September 5-7 Hunt Safe Certification October 17-19 Bow & Arrow Camp October 24-26 Bow & Arrow Camp November 7-9
November 14-16
December 12-14
2026 Retreats
Jan. 9-11, 2026
Jan. 23-25, 2026
Feb. 20-22, 2026
Mar. 6-8, 2026
April 3-5, 2026
May 1-3, 2026
2025 Camps
May 30-Jun 2 1st Chaperone training
June 17-20 Spring Camp
June 24- 27 Isnati Awica Lowanpi
July 8-11 Leadership Camp
July 22-25 Bow and Arrow Camp
August 1-4 End of Summer Camp
August 29-31 Labor day powwow
2026 Camps
June 9th -12th Spring Harvest Camp
June 23rd-26th Isnati Coming of Age Ceremony
July 7th-10th Leadership Camp
July 21st-24th Bow & Arrow Camp
Aug. 4th- 7th Summer/End of season trip
Wolakota
the Lakota
Way of Life
The purpose of our youth gatherings is to develop and build on the necessary cultural skills of effective Lakota Youth Leadership and recovery that empower them and their peers to acquire the cultural resiliency and leadership qualities and skills needed to support re-establishment of Lakota youth societies.
The seven principals that will drive our youth experiences are embodied in the following:
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While the hands are busy the mind is open
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Knowing your place in the camp circle is the foundation for knowing your place in the community, tribal nation, and world
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Personal, character and spiritual strengths once identified can be refined and developed to enhance youth life skills and personal growth.
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Only when we know who we are and where our people have been can we go forward into the future. (i.e. personal, family, and tribal history)
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Developments of cognitive problem solving skills are an integral part of “full circle” Lakota problem solving and decision making. (i.e. thought, emotions, physical investment, and spiritual consultation)
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Lakota virtues and teachings must be shared and translated into today’s world experiences for youth to grasp their value
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Adults must demonstrate commitment, respect, caring, support and protection for youth to have the needed environment for developmental and personal growth.
Equine Life Skills
Training
Sunka Wakan Otakuye
The Horse Nation has been a part of Lakota culture for thousands of years. It seems only natural for LYD to move towards bringing back those relationships with the Horse Nation and native youth. Equine activities are part of each camp experience.
Sunka Wakan Otakuye Curriculum is hands on learning with the horses, opening the door for Lakota youth to re-unite with the Horse Nation.
The horses interact with the youth in ways that help youth better understand their own actions and behaviors.
