Mammoth Site “The Mammoth Site is not just a window into the Past—it’s as close to being a true time machine as you’ll find, with some of the best ice-age fossils on the planet on permanent display.” Dr. Ross MacPhee American Museum of Natural History Welcome to South Dakota's Mammoth Site at Hot Springs, an…
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Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park One of the world's longest and most complex caves in the world sits beneath one of America's oldest National Parks, Wind Cave and Wind Cave National Park. This 28,000-acre park sits in the southwest corner of South Dakota and is well-known for it's unique 'box work' formations within the cave, as…
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Black Hills Mining Museum
Black Hills Mining Museum Welcome to the Black Hills Mining Museum, the fascinatingly educational and immersive gold mining museum located in Lead, South Dakota. This museum was built by miners from the nearby, now shut down Homestake Gold Mine, over 140 miners lending a hand by sharing their personal stories, professional know-how, and various artifacts…
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5 Great Field Trip Ideas for 5th Graders
Fifth graders have an insane amount of energy and tend to have trouble sitting still during those big important lessons, but don't worry, getting them to turn their minds on doesn’t need to be a hassle! Field trips are an exciting way to get them involved in their education and are great ways to keep…
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The Importance of Student Travel
"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page" - Saint Augustine Many people may wonder why educators want to take their students on trips, with all the hassle of transporting them safely, keeping in contact with worried parents, and all the money and planning involved (leave the planning ot…
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Education in South Dakota’s Black Hills
South Dakota’s Black Hills aren’t only famed to be filled with gold, they are also famed to be filled to the very brim with educational opportunities for both students and adults. The Black Hills National Forest holds several different cities, sites, and spots that are perfect for immersive education, historical reenactment, and wildlife curiosities. The…
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Lake Pactola
Lake Pactola For both a relaxing break and exciting recreation opportunity within the Black Hills head straight for the gorgeous Lake Pactola, just 11 miles north of Hill City. Actually a reservoir created by the Pactola Dam, this spot is legendary in both the sense that it is a buzzing beach site in the area…
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Black Hills Central Railroad
Black Hills Central Railroad [caption id="attachment_22779" align="alignright" width="425"] OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA[/caption] One of the most unique and genuinely historic activities to partake in while visiting the Black Hills is hands down the Black Hills Central Railroad, a heritage railroad within the Black Hills National Forest. This vintage steam locomotive track was built by Chicago, Burlington,…
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Days of ‘76 Museum
Days of ‘76 Museum For a more purely educational experience in Deadwood, a popular historic city within the Black Hills area, head to the Days of ‘76 Museum. This iconic Deadwood museum was created to honor the city's first pioneers, the brave 'prospectors, miners, muleskinners, and madams' that flocked to the city in 1876 in…
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Alpine Inn
Alpine Inn For a delicious down-home meal in the Black Hills head to the historic Alpine Inn, a small lodging resort with a big history, well known for its dining experience in particular. This eatery has a German influence in its dishes, offering such things as schnitzel, smoked bratwurst, spaetzle, and strudel. These items are…
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