Winter Family Programs

with Naturalists Julie Plachta and Tom Tonkin

 
The instructors for these courses have taught about the outdoors for various organizations such as “Tracks and Trees” and “Wilderness Awareness School” for several decades, combined. They have also conducted wildlife inventories for multiple county and state agencies on a professional level. Now, they are delighted to be bringing some of their previous experience to the residents of the Black Hills, and sharing their passion for connecting people with the natural world.
 
 
 
 
 

This Giving Tuesday help support low cost and free family programming by becoming a member or making a donation! Donations pay for supplies, rental space, and help provide payment for quality instructors!

Support Family Programs

Understanding the Voices of Nature

    • Date: 12/1/2023
    • Time: 9am-Noon
    • Location: Whitney Preserve, Hot Springs, SD
    • Cost: Family Rate (2 adults, 1- 3 children under 12)- $35, Individual- $15, Children Under 12- $8

Have you ever wanted to know if a hawk or coyote is nearby, or perhaps when a deer is sneaking away from you, just by what the birds, animals, and other voices of nature are saying to each other? In this course participants will be shown how to expand their awareness and use forgotten techniques to interpret the communication system that non-humans use, and therefore learn how to know when predators or prey are in the area – as well as what species are nearby, even if they are out of sight. Participants will also learn how to move through nature without setting off this inter-species alarm system, and be able to see wildlife that they would not have otherwise seen. The content knowledge and experience from this class will help all outdoor enthusiasts including naturalists, hunters, and photographers. Families and individuals are welcome.

 

Let’s Go Fishing!

    • Date: 12/16/2023
    • Time: 9 am- Noon
    • Location: Camp Bob Marshall, Custer, SD
    • Cost: Family Rate (2 adults, 1-3 children under 12)- $35, Individual- $15, Children Under 12- $8

This class is for all ages. We will be teaching participants how to ice fish using local proven techniques. Families are welcome. If you want to keep the fish that are caught, we are happy to teach you how to clean and filet them. If you have an ice fishing pole, bring it along, if not we will have a variety of fishing poles as well as all the tackle needed for the experience. Participants that are 18 years old and older that want to fish, will need to obtain their SD fishing license before arriving at the class.

Fishing Registration

Full Moon Nature Experience

    • Date: 1/25/2024
    • Time: 6 pm- 8 pm
    • Location: Whitney Preserve, Hot Springs, SD
    • Cost: Family Rate (2 adults, 1-3 children under 12)- $20, Individual- $10, Children Under 12- $4

Come join experienced instructors for a fun-filled learning experience under the full moon. We will be exploring nature with moonlit tracking, storytelling, listening for and interpreting the call of local owls, nature observation, scouting for wildlife, and exploring the night sky. It is suggested to bring a red lense flashlight. This class is designed for the whole family, but children should be accompanied by an adult.

Registration Info Coming Soon!! 

Animal Tracking

    • Date: 2/10/2024
    • Time: 10 am- 2 pm
    • Locations: Trailhouse, Custer, SD then carpool to Camp Bob Marshall, Custer, SD
    • Cost: Family Rate (2 adults, 1-3 children under 12)- $45, Individual- $20, Children Under 12- $10

In this course participants will learn how to positively answer these questions, simply by looking closely at the marks and sign that animals leave behind as they pass through an area:

  • What animal has left this track?
  • Why was this animal here: was it hunting, frightened, or at ease?
  • For many local animals, how to tell if it was a male or female?
  • Is it pregnant, or injured?
  • Does it have a large set of antlers or horns?
  • And more.
This program will begin in a classroom and then we will take to the field to expand our knowledge (weather permitting). Please dress accordingly, and bring a notebook/pen.
 
Registration Info Coming Soon!!