South Dakota
Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse & the Badlands With Your Grandchild
Program No. 15968RJ
Enjoy a classic American adventure with your grandchild as you visit the epic monuments of the Black Hills, ride horses, dig for fossils, pan for gold, look for buffalo and much more!
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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Age 8 - 11
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
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DATES | ||||
Jun 8 - Jun 13, 2025
2,199 1,299 | ||||
Jun 8 - Jun 13, 2025
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,799 / Adult
1,299 / Child
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Filling Fast! Jun 22 - Jun 27, 20252,199 1,299 | ||||
Jun 22 - Jun 27, 2025
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,799 / Adult
1,299 / Child
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Filling Fast! Jul 13 - Jul 18, 20252,199 1,299 | ||||
Jul 13 - Jul 18, 2025
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,799 / Adult
1,299 / Child
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Age 11 - 13
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
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DATES | ||||
Jun 15 - Jun 20, 2025
2,199 1,299 | ||||
Jun 15 - Jun 20, 2025
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,799 / Adult
1,299 / Child
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Jul 6 - Jul 11, 2025
2,199 1,299 | ||||
Jul 6 - Jul 11, 2025
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,799 / Adult
1,299 / Child
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Jul 20 - Jul 25, 2025
2,199 1,299 | ||||
Jul 20 - Jul 25, 2025
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,199 / Adult
1,299 / Child
| 2,799 / Adult
1,299 / Child
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6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5B 3L 5D
1
Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Keystone, SD
2
Custer State Park, Trail Ride, About Rushmore
Keystone, SD
5
Mammoth Site, Junior Paleo Dig, Swimming
Keystone, SD
6
Program Concludes
Keystone, SD
At a Glance
Did you know that most of the 400 men who carved out the presidential faces of Mount Rushmore were miners who came to the Black Hills looking for gold? Did you know that they used dynamite and jackhammers to carve the faces? And did you know that they had a pretty good amateur baseball team? Learn all about the history and significance of Mount Rushmore and the massive Crazy Horse Memorial on a trip with your grandkid to South Dakota! Go horseback riding, splash in a historic warm water spring, visit a mammoth sink hole and learn how to pan for gold. And at the end of a day of adventure, share stories around an open fire while you learn, laugh and create memories for both generations.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2 miles on uneven, hilly terrain. Optional 1-hour horseback trail ride. Ability to sit on wheeled sled with self-regulating speed. Walking through museums with seating available. The ability to get on and off a motor coach. Some standing during interpretive lessons. Elevations up to 5,200 feet.
Best of all, you’ll…
- 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!
- Saddle up for a Western trail ride, and discover ancient fossils and lunar-like deposits in the Badlands.
- Experience Custer State Park’s “wildlife loop” in search of buffalo, pronghorns, begging burrows and bighorn sheep.
General Notes
Program is for grandchildren ages 8-11 or 11-13, depending on the date. For a comparable family adventure for all generations, check out "Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse & the Badlands With Your Family" (#4752).
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Robert Gerald Yellowhawk
Robert Yellowhawk, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, shares his culture through traditional Northern style men's dance. Alongside his children Mia, Lianna, and Robert Jr., who perform fancy shawl, jingle dress, and junior boys' traditional style dances, they bring the vibrant Lakota heritage to life for visitors in Rapid City, SD. Pursuing an MBA at Creighton University, Robert has dedicated 14 years to Rural America Initiatives, starting as a youth mentor and now serving as the business manager.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Robert Gerald Yellowhawk
View biography
Robert Yellowhawk, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, shares his culture through traditional Northern style men's dance. Alongside his children Mia, Lianna, and Robert Jr., who perform fancy shawl, jingle dress, and junior boys' traditional style dances, they bring the vibrant Lakota heritage to life for visitors in Rapid City, SD. Pursuing an MBA at Creighton University, Robert has dedicated 14 years to Rural America Initiatives, starting as a youth mentor and now serving as the business manager.
Erin Woods
View biography
Erin Woods, the proud mother of two boys, works at her church as a children’s ministry coordinator. She has her master's in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in math and an additional endorsement in educational technology. 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 the rest of the presidents.
Suggested Reading List
(9 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse & the Badlands With Your Grandchild
Program Number: 15968
The Carving of Mount Rushmore
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.
Pioneer Days in the Black Hills
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 Wilder in the West
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.”
Gift Horse: A Lakota Story
A Lakota boy comes of age and finds his courage in this picture book from award-winning author and illustrator S. D. Nelson When Flying Cloud's father gives him a Gift Horse, marking the beginning of his journey to manhood, Flying Cloud names the horse Storm. The two become inseparable: they spend their days riding across the prairie, hunting deer, and roughhousing with the other boys and their horses. But as Flying Cloud becomes a man, his life takes a serious turn: He must now learn the ways of his people and what it means to be a Lakota warrior. So, when enemies of the Lakota steal many of the tribe's horses--including Storm--Flying Cloud must join the rescue party. Will he prove he has the courage to become a true Warrior? The bold, full-color illustrations bring to life this exciting coming-of-age tale from award-winning creator and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe S. D. Nelson and provide a unique look into the lives of the Lakota during the nineteenth century. Backmatter includes a brief summary of Lakota history.
A Boy Called Slow
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.
Crazy Horse and Custer: Born Enemies
With photographs and stunning illustrations from acclaimed author-artist S.D. Nelson, this thrilling double biography juxtaposes the lives of two enemies whose conflict changed American history: Crazy Horse and George Custer In 1876, Lakota chief Crazy Horse helped lead his people's resistance against the white man's invasion of the northern Great Plains. One of the leaders of the US military forces was Army Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer. The men had long been enemies. At the height of the war, when tribalism had reached its peak, they crossed paths for the last time. In this action-packed double biography, S. D. Nelson draws fascinating parallels between Crazy Horse and Custer, whose lives were intertwined. These warriors were alike in many ways, yet they often collided in deadly rivalry. Witness reports and reflections by their peers and enemies accompany side-by-side storytelling that offers very different perspectives on the same historical events. The two men's opposing destinies culminated in the infamous Battle of the Greasy Grass, as the Lakota called it, or the Battle of the Little Bighorn, as it was called by the Euro-Americans. In Crazy Horse and Custer, Nelson's gripping narrative and signature illustration style based on Plains Indians ledger art, along with a mix of period photographs and paintings, shines a light on two men whose conflict forever changed Lakota and US history. The book includes an author's note, timeline, endnotes, and bibliography.
Who Carved the Mountain? The Story of Mount Rushmore
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.
Moon of Popping Trees
The Massacre at Wounded Knee was the last major 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.
Crazy Horse's Vision
Crazy Horse is among the best-known Native American heroes. Yet many people do not know his boyhood name was Curly, inspired by his curly hair. Curly was a leader even as a young boy, taming wild horses and hunting powerful buffalo. But all his bravery could not prepare him for the trouble he and the other Lakota Indians would face with the white settlers. Wanting to help his people after a fierce battle that mortally wounded Chief Conquering Bear, Curly defied traditional custom and risked his own life by running away, up to the hills, to seek a vision. Renowned Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac tells a gripping and compelling story of how the dedicated young boy, Curly, grows into the brave warrior Crazy Horse. Sioux artist S.D. Nelson, with paintings inspired by the ledger book style of the Plains Indians, evokes the drama and tragedy of an important figure in American history.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 3L, 5D
)
3 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
7 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Keystone, SD
Meals:
D
Stay:
K Bar S Lodge
Activity Note
Lodge check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
At the time of check-in, collect your Road Scholar Welcome Packet from the front desk. In the packet you will find information regarding program details including the location of orientation. During orientation you will meet your Group Leader and fellow Scholars. The program orientation will begin at 4:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. They will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. There may be some light paperwork at the end of the orientation session. If you don’t arrive in time for orientation, please refer to your welcome packet on how to locate the Group Leader and get caught up on any information you may have missed. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren at all times. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. All talks and field trips will be led by local experts and expert Group Leaders. Transportation will be via motorcoach, requiring going up/down a few steps when getting on/off, unless specified otherwise. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the Lodge.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Custer State Park, Trail Ride, About Rushmore
Location:
Keystone, SD
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
K Bar S Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 110 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours riding time plus stops. Getting on/off horses; riding approximately 1 hour; long pants and boots or tennis shoes required for horseback riding; helmets supplied. Walking about 1/2 mile; dirth path, mountain meadows, pine covered forests.
Breakfast:
At the Lodge.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and kick off our Black Hills learning adventure on a field trip with our Group Leader to Custer State Park. The park covers more than 71,000 acres full of mountains, plains, forests, and wildlife — one of the Top 10 places for wildlife in the world! We’ll stop first at the Visitor Center and explore interactive exhibits to learn about the Park’s history, mysteries, landscapes, and wildlife. We’ll then hop back on the motorcoach and ride along Wildlife Loop Road to look for wild bison (buffalo), burros, prairie dogs, elk, white tail deer, and more.
Lunch:
Sack lunch in the field.
Afternoon:
At the end of the loop, we’ll “cowboy and cowgirl up” and ride horses on a 1-hour trail ride through lush backcountry, led by experienced wranglers. After the ride, we'll return to the Lodge.
Dinner:
At the Lodge.
Evening:
At the Lodge, we’ll have a fun, hands-on activity to set the stage for our Mount Rushmore field trip tomorrow. We’ll learn how sculptor Gutzon Borglum made small scale models to plan how he would blast and carve huge images out of the mountain. We’ll team up with our families and work together to create our own scale drawing of Mount Rushmore.
Day
3
Mount Rushmore, Alpine Slide, Crazy Horse, Campfire
Location:
Keystone, SD
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
K Bar S Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 55 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 1/2 mile indoors and out and standing; groomed paths some stairs.
Breakfast:
At the Lodge.
Morning:
Mount Rushmore National Monument is much more than four gigantic faces carved out of stone. The sculptor who made it, Gutzon Borglum — a Danish-American — intended it to be not just a memorial to four of our greatest Presidents, but a “shrine of democracy.” Why these four? Washington led the army during the Revolutionary War with Great Britain and later became the first President of the United States. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and doubled the size of the country with Louisiana Purchase. Lincoln led the country through the Civil War and saved the Union. Roosevelt developed the “Square Deal” that promoted the conservation movement, controlled corporations, and protected consumers. Abroad, he made the Panama Canal happen and won the Nobel Peace Prize for settling a war between Russia and China. We’ll coach a short distance to see Mount Rushmore from a different angle- on the top of a ridge about two miles away. We’ll ride up on chairlifts (like ski lifts) for amazing panoramic views. Once at the top, we have the opportunity to ride the Alpine Slide on your own, speed controlled sled, back down the hill. If the sled and slide aren't of interest, feel free to catch the chairlift back down. We’ll then return to the Lodge.
Lunch:
At the Lodge.
Afternoon:
Mount Rushmore, with its majestic figures of four Presidents, is an American treasure. But there’s an even bigger monument being created less than 20 miles away. This monumental project uses the image of Crazy Horse — legendary Lakota warrior and leader — to symbolize the culture, traditions, and living heritage of North American Indians. Work started in 1948 and when it’s finished, the Crazy Horse Memorial will be the largest mountain carving in the world. We’ll visit the Memorial to learn all about it and explore the Native American Educational & Cultural center there. We’ll have breathtaking views of the carving and surrounding landscape, see pictures of Native Americans from long ago, and an exhibit carved out of rock that tells the story of the bison (buffalo) and how important they were. We’ll take part in a hands-on art activity led by museum educators, then return to the Lodge.
Dinner:
At the Lodge.
Evening:
We’ll gather around a campfire with our Group Leader for a hands-on lesson about how Native Americans utilized all parts of a bison. We’ll also take this opportunity to roast marshmallows, make S’mores, and share stories around the campfire. We’ll then coach a short distance back to Mount Rushmore and attend the Lighting Ceremony, a patriotic event in the open-air auditorium.
Day
4
Badlands National Park, Gold Panning, Indigenous Dance
Location:
Keystone, SD
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
K Bar S Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles round-trip, approximately 4 hours total riding time plus stops. Walking about 1/2 mile; boardwalks, groomed paths.
Breakfast:
At the Lodge.
Morning:
We’ll set out via motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to Badlands National Park. It’s an incredible place with beautiful and weird looking buttes, pinnacles, and spires. But 69 million years ago, everything was covered by an inland sea where dinosaurs roamed along the shore. Millions of years later, there were animals such as ancient camels, dogs, horses, rhinos, and saber-toothed cats. They’re long gone, but we’ll stop at different locations in the Park to explore and see what’s there today. We’ll then ride on to the town of Wall. The main attraction is Wall Drug Store, known around the world as a highlight of roadside America. Starting in 1931, it became famous for giving away free ice water to thirsty travelers.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Wall. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
The Black Hills was a major draw and hot spot for those seeking to strike it rich during the Gold Rush of the late 1800’s. The Black Hills proved to be a mineral-rich territory, bringing prospectors from all over. This afternoon, get your hands wet as you have the opportunity to learn from experts the tricks and techniques old-time prospectors used to pan for gold in the waters flowing through the Black Hills. We’ll then return to the Lodge.
Dinner:
At the Lodge.
Evening:
We’ll be joined by a local expert who will captivate us with stories and dances that are representative of local Indigenous peoples.
Day
5
Mammoth Site, Junior Paleo Dig, Swimming
Location:
Keystone, SD
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
K Bar S Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 105 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking during field trips, standing up to 1 hour at a time. Bring swimming suit and towel for swimming activity.
Breakfast:
At the Lodge.
Morning:
We’ll ride out to the famous Mammoth Site just outside the city of Hot Springs. This site is here today thanks to a trick of nature more than 26,000 years ago. An ancient sinkhole collapsed and spring water flowing up from the bottom made a watering hole. It attracted mammoths and other animals such as Ice Age camels, coyotes, giant short-faced bear, llamas, and wolves. Some of them fell in and died. The sinkhole later filled in, preserving the skeletons as fossils. The site was discovered in 1974 when a construction company was excavating for a housing project. They found the bones then turned the site over to scientists. It’s now a laboratory, research facility, museum and working paleontological dig site. We’ll go behind the scenes with one of the collectors and curators to learn more about some of the discoveries and see some of the mammoth fossils. Kids will get to become Junior Paleontologists as we help dig for signs of prehistoric life.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, it’s Evans Plunge in Hot Springs where we’ll spend the afternoon enjoying the world’s largest indoor, natural warm spring, rejuvenating, mineral water pool. It’s fed by an enormous thermal spring producing 5,000 gallons per minute! Native Lakota and Cheyenne people knew these waters and used them for centuries before settlers arrived. In 1890, a man named Fred Evans built the first structure over what became known as Evans Plunge. It was soon famous as people came here to swim and soak in the crystal clear waters that stay at a temperature of 87°F. There are water slides, rings, and life guards are on duty. Remember to pack a towel from home for this fun-filled activity as hotel towels are not permitted off property.
Dinner:
At the Lodge. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Keystone, SD
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the Lodge. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
13 Meals
5 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Jul 20, 2025 - Jul 25, 2025
- Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
- Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 20, 2025
- Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025
- Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025
- Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 18, 2025
- Jul 20, 2025 - Jul 25, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 34 Reviews
Sort By:
The grandparent/grandchild group idea is GREAT. It was so much fun having many kids close to the same age together. Both kids and grandparent made new friends. It was a trip my grandson will never forget! The scheduling of tours and daily organization was outstanding.
— Review left August 4, 2024
It was a very positive, interesting experience. Our granddaughter enjoyed herself and we did too.
— Review left July 28, 2024
In four action-packed days, we and our grandson experienced a fascinating part of the country, and engaged in a number of educational and challenging activities, for the first time, together. We made friends with other grandparents, he made friends with other kids, and we strengthened our family relationship. Priceless!
— Review left July 27, 2024
This was a repeat trip to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Badlands with a different set of grandkids! We had a wonderful time and enjoyed seeing the familiar sites through a new set of young eyes!
Our guide, Cindii was very patient and helpful. There was a grandparent that made the trip uncomfortable due to the feeling that the trip was not catering to what they felt should happen. The grandparent felt that the schedule for departing to the different outings was too early, that the bus should return to the lodge to pick up swimsuits, even though all the others had somehow managed to bring the suits with them. I don’t think there was ever a time that this grandparent was happy with the program. Guess they didn’t read the details in our program outline. Cindii, always came up with a suggestion, even though it was not appreciated.
The schedule was reasonable and I will admit a little tiring, but fun. The new gold panning site was much better than just panning at the sluice. A very realistic lesson for the kids. The horseback ride was lovely, and the lighting ceremony at night at Mt Rushmore was inspiring. We enjoyed the evening with Robert Yellowhawk and his family very much.
We appreciate all the hard work that went into making this program, and I would like to include a big thank you to our bus driver, Cody, who was such a gentleman and shared some of his family history.
Thank you to Cindii for all her hard work and patience with such a diverse set of grandparents and grandchildren.
Ken and Mary Miles
Genna(Eve) and Isaac Goldman.
— Review left July 26, 2024
A truly rewarding experience being in South Dakota, learning about the great sites, Very Americana and Patriotic being at Mt. Rushmore. Loved meeting new families from many areas.
— Review left July 23, 2024
The Mt. Rushmore Grandparent trip was a wonderful experience that we shared with our 2 grandkids, ages 10 and 11 1/2. We had a great time, had lots of fun, while learning so much. Our tour leader, Donna Fisher, was warm, friendly and a great teacher. I can't wait to go on another Grandparent trip!
— Review left July 8, 2024
This Road Scholar trip the Mt Rushmore was excellent! So much packed into 5 days and everything so exciting! I would highly recommend it for anyone thinking of going West to visit any of the country’s national parks!
— Review left June 22, 2024
The program exceeded my expectations and I already had high expectations.
— Review left June 19, 2024
Well worth the trip! Very educational for all who attended including grandparents and grandchildren alike. Enjoyed each of the venues. Great time to share with our grandchildren. Great week!
— Review left June 18, 2024
Future adventurers, in 500,000 yrs the Badlands will be flat and gone---get going! It was wonderful
— Review left August 1, 2023
This was a great program for me and my grandson. Our trip leader, David, was great with the kids.
— Review left July 30, 2023
Watching our grandsons pan for gold, dig for mammoth bones, hike in the Badlands, and enjoy the company of other grandchildren as they shared those adventures and more, was priceless!
— Review left June 30, 2023
This trip is packed full of things to see, do, and learn. Donna is full of interesting information and loves to share it. K Bar S Lodge is a beautiful place to stay and the kids loved playing in the "meadow."
— Review left June 28, 2023
Such an excellent program and learning experience for me and my grandson. Wonderful traveling with “like-minded people” who enjoy traveling and sharing with their grands!
— Review left June 26, 2023
Every day was jam-packed. There was so much to see and do! The children bonded with each other, and spent time after dinner playing kickball, etc. We all enjoyed seeing and experiencing new things! There were a number of grandparent/grandchild joint activities which was great. Our 11-year-old was one of the youngest in the group, but she was included in everything by the older kids. I recommend this trip!
— Review left June 24, 2023
If you are looking for a fun, interesting, and educational trip with your children/grandchildren this is the one to take, especially if David Ireland is your group leader.
— Review left June 20, 2023
Excellent program for our grandson. He picked this Grandparent experience and all of us were happy with it.
— Review left August 6, 2022
Terrific intergenerational trip! We all had a great time, learned a lot and our grandson stayed engaged the entire time.
— Review left August 3, 2022
I can't say enough about the Grandparents' trips! I have taken 2 of my grandchildren (on different trips) and intend to take my other three when each one turns 10. Road Scholar plans a wonderful balance of education and fun. We all learned AND had fun. I am so appreciative of the opportunities Road Scholar provides.
— Review left July 25, 2022
Mount Rushmore, Crazy House and the Badlands is an excellent trip. The activities are fun, and the days are full. Culture, history, nature, and friendship - it has it all.
— Review left July 24, 2022
Excellent program for a grandparent/child grouping. Plenty to keep the young ones active and interested and to allow the grandparents to positively interact with the grandchildren.
— Review left July 23, 2022
This was a very positive experience for me and for my 13 year old granddaughter.
Our days were full, enriching and also lots of fun. There was something for everyone on this tour. The activities were well suited for all ages. I did find scampering over the rocks in the Badlands a bit precarious but I had the option of hanging back with some of the other grandparents who also recognized their limitations.
David, our tour manager was exceptional. His laid back, pleasant style combined with his vast knowledge of the area contributed to our enjoyment. Mick, our bus driver, did an incredible job navigating some of those challenging roads.
I highly recommend this tour.
— Review left July 19, 2022
Wanting to visit So Dakota becomes a highlight after experiencing a shared trip with other grandparents & grandchildren. This was my 2nd trip to the same excursion, and I hope to return to the same trip with another grandchild.
Feeling proud to be an American at Mount Rushmore!
— Review left July 17, 2022
I loved my first experience with the Road Scholar Multi-Generational Program! The diversity and length of the trip was perfect, our Group Leader was fun and informative, the accommodations were delightful and convenient, and both grandmothers and our granddaughter enjoyed it immensely!
— Review left July 8, 2022
First grandparent trip and it was highly enjoyable for my grandson and me. Roberta was terrific: knowledgeable about the area and engaged the kids. We would have liked a little more hiking, but overall the program was as indicated. Perhaps an additional day would have been great. My grandson made lots of friends, adding to his enjoyment. The grounds of the lodge is expansive and kids friendly. Highly recommended.
— Review left June 25, 2022
We had a great week and enjoyed the trip very much. Our days were full but not TOO full. Our instructor Donna made the trip really fun with her subject knowledge and good sense of humor and fun. You CAN do it! The kids were so good and very cute and funny. We will do another Road Scholar trip.
— Review left June 19, 2022
Our family thoroughly enjoyed our Road Scholar experience. We learned a lot, played, and met lots of new people. We highly recommend it.
— Review left June 19, 2022
The Mt Rushmore Road Scholar program was much more than the monument to 4 Presidents. Insight into the history and family commitments to both Rushmore & Crazy Horse was a revelation. The political/cultural insights are rich. The geological/paleontology perspectives are humbling. The opportunities for rich intergenerational learning are wonderful. The kids loved it.
— Review left June 17, 2022
Another excellent Road Scholar Intergenerational program, this time with grandsons age 10 and 11. Donna is a gem as a leader. Her knowledge and ability to share it made this trip a joy. The accommodations at KBar are first rate. There is so much to see in the Black Hills and this trip made us want to return. The wildlife sightings were exceptional and thrilled our grandsons. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to see the Black Hills highlights.
— Review left August 1, 2021
This program has it all: a fantastic, knowledgeable leader in Donna Fisher; beautiful scenery in the mountainous Black Hills; inspiring sites in Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial; wild animal sightings; a paleontology dig; and lots of fun in the alpine slide and Evans Plunge indoor pool. My grandchild learned about Native American and pioneer history as well as geology. It was a great program for young and old alike !
— Review left July 18, 2021
Great program for the 11 thru 14 age group. Do highly recommend this program. We had a wonderful time with the kids and grandparents.
— Review left July 14, 2019
Entertaining and insightful experience!
— Review left July 5, 2019
Fun, informative, active, and multicultural. Relaxing site, great food, and good service this program has lots of hands-on learning activities for all. Well worth the time, energy and cost for all.
— Review left June 28, 2019
Wonderful trip! Everything about this trip was a wonderful memory for my grandchild and myself.
— Review left June 24, 2019