South Dakota
2025–26 ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

• Program Dates: May 25 – June 3, 2026
• Trip Leaders: Jan Flaska and Jeannette Boudway
• Itinerary: *This itinerary is subject to change

The program begins in Rapid City, where students will gather before heading to Pine Ridge – a Lakota Reservation – and then on to a multi-day cycling and cultural journey. Early highlights include a shakeout ride through Badlands National Park, camping at Sage Creek, and meaningful visits to the Pine Ridge Reservation and Wounded Knee Memorial. From there, students will ride sections of the Mickelson Trail, beginning in Edgemont and traveling north through Pringle and Custer, while experiencing the natural beauty and history of the region. Along the way, they will camp at Plenty Star Ranch and spend nights in hotels or campsites that showcase the diversity of South Dakota’s landscapes.

As the ride continues, students will combine outdoor adventure with cultural and historical exploration. Stops include Wind Cave National Monument, Hot Springs, a hike up Black Elk Peak, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Mount Rushmore. The journey culminates with longer stretches on the Mickelson Trail, including rides from Hill City to Dumont and finally into Deadwood, where students will have time to explore the historic town. The program concludes with a return to Rapid City for departure, leaving students with both physical achievement and a deeper appreciation of the cultural and natural heritage of the Black Hills region.

• Program Notes:
  • Program Meeting Point: On May 25, 2026, Students and Program leaders will meet at the Deerfield Campus to travel by coach bus to Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT arriving in Rapid City, SD, on May 25, 2026.

• • Cell Phone Policy: As part of Deerfield’s commitment to face-to-face interactions, during certain times of the trip, students will be “unplugged” without access to cell phone
  • Other Important Information about the program:  During this program, students will stay in hotels & camping sites (4 days hotels, 4 days camping sites). This program will include a high level of physical activity in the form of biking with various site visits. This program will take place primarily outdoors.