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Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Badlands: Young Explorers

Program Number: 15968RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/29/2012 - 8/3/2012; 6/16/2013 - 6/21/2013; 6/23/2013 - 6/28/2013; 7/7/2013 - 7/12/2013; 7/14/2013 - 7/19/2013; 7/21/2013 - 7/26/2013; 7/28/2013 - 8/2/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Price starting at: $943.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Intergenerational
Intergenerational
Meals: 13; 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Program intended for grandchildren from 8 - 10 years of age.

Enjoy the fun of shared time as you explore Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park and the beautiful Black Hills. Saddle up for a Western trail ride and discover ancient fossils and lunar-like deposits in the Badlands. Share stories around an open fire while you learn, laugh and create memories for both generations.




Highlights

• Go horseback riding, splash in a historic warm water spring, visit a mammoth sink hole and learn how to pan for gold like Potato Creek Johnny.
• Experience Custer State Park’s “wildlife loop” in search of buffalo, pronghorns, begging burrows and big horn sheep.
• Take a chair lift up to a ridge for a special view of Mount Rushmore and feel the wind in your hair as you zip back down on the Alpine slide.



Activity Particulars

Walking on uneven ground up to two miles; hilly terrain. Elevations above 5,000 feet.



Coordinated by Black Hills Educational Institute.




Mount Rushmore

Massive granite faces overlook the forested treetops of the Black Hills, representing the first 150 years of American history in the sculptural representation of four U.S. presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. Mount Rushmore and the gateway town of Keystone attract visitors to this beautiful, storied region of the state.
Accommodations
Luxury lodge with view of Mount Rushmore on 45 forested acres with large meadow that is often a wildlife playground.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Robert Yellowhawk
Robert Gerald Yellowhawk is a native South Dakotan, born in Rapid City. His goal as a youth was to graduate from high school, and now he is a sophomore at Oglala Lakota College in Rapid City, majoring in business administration. A participant as a sixth-grader in the Ateyapi Program, he is now a fulltime mentor helping youths understand traditional Native American dance, values, regalia, ceremonies and the Lakota language. Robert worked two summers at Crazy Horse Memorial.
 
Erin Woods
Erin Woods is an elementary teacher in the Rapid City School District. With a keen interest in Mount Rushmore history, she enthusiastically relates how Mount Rushmore was carved and how the architects and carvers were able to keep the head of George Washington in proportion to Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt. Erin has a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, with an emphasis in math and educational technology.
 
Kristine Reed
Kristine Reed has been wildlife biologist and technical services director of the Intertribal Bison Cooperative for the last five years. She has extensive experience as a range-management specialist, wildlife biologist and post-secondary educator in many tribal communities in the fields of natural resources. She is certified by The Wildlife Society as a certified wildlife biologist and actively participates in committees representing Tribal interests in bison and natural resource issues.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   K Bar S Lodge
  Keystone, SD 5 nights
 K Bar S Lodge
Type: Lodge
  Description: The K Bar S Lodge is brand new (open in spring 2006) and located with a view of Mt. Rushmore. It is quietly secluded on 31 forested acres and away from busy streets. Battle Creek winds its way throughout the property and the large meadow in front of the Lodge is often the playground for deer and turkeys.
  Contact info: 434 Old Hill City Rd.
Keystone, SD 57751 USA
phone: 866-522-7724
web: www.kbarslodge.com
  Room amenities: Room amenities include thermostatically controlled heating and air conditioning, superior Serta Presidential mattresses, custom made furniture, hairdryers, iron with ironing board and more.
  Facility amenities: A beautiful lobby provides a spectacular view of Mt. Rushmore and nearby Mt. Baldy. Free coffee is available in the lobby. An elevator serves the main building. Free guest laundry is available on site.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: call for pricing Additional night reservations may be made by calling the K Bar S Lodge direct at 1-866-522-7724.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: call for pricing Additional night reservations may be made by calling the K Bar S Lodge direct at 1-866-522-7724.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Hotel check in 3:00pm. Orientation in K Bar S meeting room at 5:00pm. You will be staying at K Bar S Lodge that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after breakfast at 9:00am. Hotel check out at 11am. You will be staying at K Bar S Lodge the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. There is a liability waiver required on the tram lift and alpine slide. There is also a liability waiver required for the trail ride.
  Parking availability:
Free parking on site at the hotel in Keystone.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Keystone, SD
  Nearest city or town:  Rapid City, SD
  Nearest highway: Intersection of US Highways 16A and 40
  Nearest airport:  Rapid City Regional Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Keystone, SD
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Rapid City

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Rapid City Airport Shuttle Service
phone: 800-357-9998
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Depends on the number of people - CASH ONLY
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

45 minutes 
   

Airport Shuttle accepts CASH ONLY
 
Driving Directions
  Denver, CO The Black Hills are about 400 miles north of Denver.
  Minneapolis, MN Rapid City is about 600 miles west of Minneapolis.
  Rapid City, SD The K Bar S Lodge is located just 1/3 mile west of Keystone, South Dakota on the Old Hill City Road. If you are arriving on Interstate 90 take exit 57, which becomes US Highway 16. Continue on Hwy. 16 south approximately 25 miles to a large arched wooden bridge that is the exit to US Highway 16A. This is well signed as the route to Mt. Rushmore. From this bridge continue south approximately 3 miles to Keystone. As you arrive in Keystone, you’ll approach a stop light. At this light, turn right on Old Hill City Rd. and go less than 1/2 mile to the K Bar S sign showing the address as 434 Old Hill City Road. Turn right at the sign and go onto the property. Arriving by plane at Rapid City Regional Airport, you'll drive west on US Highway 44 and into Rapid City. At the intersection with US Highway 16, turn left (south) and go approximately 20 miles to a large arched wooden bridge that is the exit to US Highway 16A. Continue as above. Driving from Denver there are many routes through Nebraska or Wyoming. If arriving through Wyoming, the best route is north from Lusk on US Highway 85 to US Highway 18 at Mule Creek Junction. Turn right, east, toward Edgemont SD. After 12 miles, turn left on US Highway 89 that will then merge 16 miles later and become US Highway 385 north. Follow 385 north through the towns of Custer and Hill City to US Highway 16. Follow Highway 16 east to 16A and proceed as Described above into Keystone and to the K Bar S. If arriving through Nebraska, the best way is through Chadron on US Highway 385. Simply follow 385 north into South Dakota to the intersection with US Highway 16 described in the Wyoming directions and come into Keystone.
Elevation Note: 4,300 to 5,200
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrivals and Orientation
(Sunday, July 29)
   
 Arrive To: Check in at the Lodge after 3:00 PM. There is an orientation beginning at 5:15 PM in the Lodge. Please check your final itinerary to schedule your arrival time allowing about 45min travel time from the airport to the K Bar S Lodge.
 Dinner: Dinner is included.
 Evening: Free evening to get settled into your room.
   
Accommodations: K Bar S Lodge
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Custer State Park, Horseback Trail Ride, Crazy Horse Memorial, Scaling of Mount Rushmore hands on Program
(Monday, July 30)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is included.
 Morning: We kick off our week of adventure with a morning field trip to Custer State Park. General Custer's expedition discovered gold here in 1874, that began the the rush of illegal settlers to the Black Hills. We'll stop at the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center where we'll get a close up look at the Park's history, mysteries, landscapes and wildlife that combine to create this diverse and beautiful park. Next we'll take what we've learned and travel the Wildlife Loop road in search of buffalo, wild burrows, prairie dogs, elk, white tail deer and more. At the end of the loop, put on your cowboy hat for a fun filled hour long horseback trail ride.
 Lunch: Lunch is included.
 Afternoon: Just 17 miles from Mt. Rushmore is Crazy Horse Memorial and Indian Museum of the Great Plains. This carving was begun at the request of Lakota Chiefs who, in the words of Chief Henry Standing Bear, said "we want the White Man to know that the Red Man had great leaders, too."
 Dinner: Dinner is included.
 Evening: Enjoy a presentation and hands on scaling of Mt. Rushmore program activity.
   
Accommodations: K Bar S Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, President's Tram and Alpine Slide, Journey Museum and Native American Dancer
(Tuesday, July 31)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is included.
 Morning: High in the Black Hills on a cliff of solid granite are the faces of four of our country's Presidents. Each had a special place in the establishment, exploration, preservation and development of our nation. This special place is Mt. Rushmore National Monument. We'll take a group photo on the viewing terrace, walk the Presidential Trail, and explore in the Monument's museum to learn how and why this incredible carving was made. Those able to handle a significant number of stairs will want to visit the Sculptor's Studio to see the plaster models used by Gutzon Borglum to guide his gigantic carving. Next we'll discover Mt. Rushmore form a different angle as we ride a chair lift up to the top of a ridge. Enjoy the view as well as the ride back down on the lift or take the option of feeling the wind in your hair as you ride the alpine slide back down the hill.
 Lunch: Lunch is included.
 Afternoon: We'll continue our exploration with a visit to the Journey Museum. The Journey takes you on an incredible trek through time, from the violent upheaval that formed the mystical Black Hills over 2.5 billion years ago to the continuing saga of the Western Frontier. The Journey Museum brings together four major prehistoric and historic collections to tell the complete story of the Western Great Plains - from the perspective of the Lakota peoples and the pioneers who shaped its past, to the scientists who now study it. Get a close up look at Lakota artifacts and learn why they call the Black Hills "Center of the Universe."
 Dinner: Dinner is included.
 Evening: This evening bond with your grandchild as you learn about this fascinating land and the culture of its people with a vivid and exciting Native American dancer and presenter.
   
Accommodations: K Bar S Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Badlands National Park, Gold Panning, Buffalo Box Presentation and Campfire
(Wednesday, August 1)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is included.
 Morning: Today we'll discover a land of extremes. Learn how a once subtropical paradise, complete with exotic sea creatures and dinosaurs, evolved into the desolate Badlands of today. At first glance this moon-like terrain may seem inhospitable, but look closely and discover the secrets that lie with in. Learn how settlers overcame such harsh conditions and watch as the world around you transforms from a sea of gray to a cathedral of colors.
 Lunch: Lunch is on your own at the famous Wall Drug.
 Afternoon: This afternoon we'll obtain a new appreciation for those who blazed the trail for gold discovery decades before. We'll try our hand at imitating the miners from long ago by panning for gold, minerals and special gem stones.
 Dinner: Dinner is included.
 Evening: The evening will once again be an opportunity for you and your grandchild to bond and learn about this fascinating land with a hands on buffalo box presentation. We'll also enjoy a group campfire later in the evening if weather permits.
   
Accommodations: K Bar S Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Mammoth Site, Swimming in a Natural Warm Water Spring, Final Banquet.
(Thursday, August 2)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is included.
 Morning: This morning adventure awaits you! Travel back in time when Ice Age mammoths, camels, and giant short-faced bears roamed the Great Plains of North America. More than 26,000 years ago a sudden collapse of a sinkhole with a warm spring percolating from the bottom filled the sinkhole and created an ideal watering hole for animals to quench their thirst. Unfortunately the sinkhole proved to be too slippery and steep for the animals to retreat thus creating a death trap for large Columbian and woolly mammoths. We'll investigate this historic event by visiting the world's largest Columbian mammoth exhibit and research center for Pleistocene studies. .
 Lunch: Lunch is included.
 Afternoon: This afternoon immerse yourself in the natural warm springs of Evans Plunge. Don't forget to pack your swimming suit and towel for this fun afternoon of relaxing in the warm spring pools. Water slides add a little thrill for those young at heart!
 Dinner: Final banquet is included.
 Evening: This is the conclusion of the program.
   
Accommodations: K Bar S Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:
(Friday, August 3)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is inlcuded. Feel free to depart anytime this morning.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Keystone, SD General overview
There are many additional activities available during your visit to the Black Hills. This program will touch on many of the general areas of interest but can not dig deeply into all there is to see and do here. There is an interesting and detailed history about Native Americans, plains settlers, gold seekers and more. Many people come to the Black Hills for exceptional trout fishing, photography, bicycling on old rail beds, hiking, and the study of specialized interests such as geology and palaeontology. There are numerous museums in Rapid City, Deadwood, Hill City, Custer and other smaller towns in the Black Hills. There is an almost endless list of public and private attractions to visit as well. Places such as Bear Country USA, Reptile Gardens, the Wild Horse Sanctuary, Mt. Rushmore Gold factory (on-the-floor factory tours), Jewel Cave, and dozens of other fun activities await your visit. In Keystone there is mini golf, the Presidential Wax museum, Rushmore Borglum Story, places to get your photo taken in historic costumes, gold mine tours, and much, much more. The history of the gold rush days is easy to access with a stop in Deadwood about a 1 hour drive north of Keystone. You can take a trolley ride to Mt. Moriah to see Will Bill Hickok's resting place along side Martha Canary, better known as Calamity Jane. Or just a short 10 minute ride from Deadwood you might visit the Homestake Gold Mine's open cut or tour the Mining Museum to learn details of hard rock, underground mining. From there you could travel to Devil's Tower in NE Wyoming and return to the Hills by driving through beautiful Spearfish Canyon, a National Scenic Byway. There is so much to do in the Black Hills, there is a good reason the Black Hills are dubbed "Beyond All Expectations". For additional information, visit www.blackhillsbadlands.com
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


The Carving of Mount Rushmore


Author: Rex Alan Smith


Description: This entertaining and very readable book tells the fascinating stories of the people of Mt. Rushmore. Included are first person accounts of not only the carvers, the politicians and Borglum, but an almost unbelievable host of others who became part of the tumult and triumph that make this history read like a novel. If you’re only going to read one book about Rushmore, this is the one.



Moon of Popping Trees


Author: Rex Alan Smith


Description: TheMassacre atWounded Knee was the lastmajor battle between whites and Native Americans.With parallels to concerns some have of today’s news reports, you’ll see that this massacre was largely a result of overblown news reports of the danger of the Native American Ghost Dance. Even more startling is the revelation in this book that the Ghost Dance had its origin in the Christian resurrection story. This book spans fifty years of the life and struggles of Native Americans as they try to maintain their lifestyle in the face of America’s westward expansion.



Pioneer Days in the Black Hills


Author: John S. McClintock


Description: A rough-and-tumble account of the early days of Deadwood and the Dakota Territory written by early day pioneer John S.McClintock. He provides material on the gold rush, skirmishes with Indians, exploits of road agents and outlaws, and appearances of celebrities such as Wild Bill Hickok and Deadwood Dick.



A Boy Called Slow


Author: Joseph Bruchoc


Description: Joseph Bruchac presents a wonderful children’s book about the life of the great Sioux chief Sitting Bull.The historical Indian tale reassures young boys that success comes through effort and not through birth. Wonderfully told and illustrated in true storybook style.



A Wilder in the West


Author: William Anderson


Description: One woman’s valiant account of homesteading alone on the prairies near DeSmet, Dakota Territory in the 1880’s. Another wonderful book by William Anderson in his “Laura Ingalls Wilder Family Series.”



Who Carved the Mountain? The Story of Mount Rushmore


Author: Jean L.S. Patrick


Description: Honorable Mention in the 2006 Independent Publisher Awards in Children’s Books (7 & over). Using historical facts and rollicking rhythm, author Jean L.S. Patrick reveals how and why George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt were chosen. Rich illustrations by Renée Graef make the unique history of Mount Rushmore come alive for children.





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