Education

Outdoor Campus - Sioux Falls

The purpose of The Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls is to provide hands-on experiences in hunting, fishing, outdoor skills, and conservation science. Free educational classes for youth, adults and families are held throughout the year. Visitors can explore indoor exhibits, a butterfly garden, and an outdoor playscape, as well as enjoy over 2 miles of trails for walking and cross-country skiing.

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closed Sundays and State Holidays

Programming

Programming is free - thank a hunter or angler!

Program Registration - Click to be directed to our registration system and start signing up for classes.
School Programs - Programs open to students enrolled in a traditional classroom. Registration for field trips made by teachers.
- Fall 2023-Spring 2024 School Program Booklet
Homeschool Programs - Programs open to students who are currently being homeschooled.
- Homeschool Fall
Outreach Programs - Can't come to The Campus? Check out this booklet for information on how The Campus can come to you!
Community Programs - Programs open to anyone in the public.
- Community Fall
Group Programs - Programs open to groups (10 participants of more). Classes reserved by appointment, see booklet for details.
- Group Fall
Hunting 101 - Turkey Program
- This unique education opportunity will walk students through safety, turkey hunting tactics, how to use turkey calls and decoys, how to properly care for and process a harvested turkey, and the hunt.
- Selection for this educational hunt will be based on completion of the attached application. The student will only be allowed to hunt with a GFP Employee or GFP Sanctioned Volunteer Mentor. Youth must be accompanied by an adult.
- Application is due by March 18, 2023 at 5 p.m.
- For more information call The Campus at 605.362.2777 or email Derek Klawitter.
Hunting 101 - Deer Program
- This unique education opportunity will walk students through deer hunting safety, tactics, and ethics, followed by time at the range and finally, a hunt. If a successful harvest, the class also includes time processing the deer.
- Selection for this educational hunt will be based on completion of the attached application. The student will only be allowed to hunt with a GFP Employee or GFP Sanctioned Volunteer Mentor. Youth must be accompanied by an adult.
- Application is open until the end of the season.
- For more information call The Campus at 605.362.2777 or email Derek Klawitter.
Resident Disabled Veteran Deer Hunt
- This will be a comprehensive, any-deer hunt and include time at the range, time hunting, and if a successful harvest, time processing as well.
- Selection for this hunt will be based on completion of the attached application.
  - The applicant must be a Resident and Disabled Veteran (as defined in the application),
  - The participant will only be allowed to hunt with a GFP Employee or Mule Deer Foundation volunteer,
  - And preference for this opportunity will be given to applicants who have not held a SD deer permit in the last 5 years.
- The program is available at no cost to the participants thanks to sponsorship by the Dakota Gray Ghost Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation.
- Application is open until the end of the season unless permits are exhausted.
- For more information call The Campus at 605.362.2777 or email Derek Klawitter.

Loaner Equipment

All Use Agreements can be printed, filled out, and brought in prior to check out, or Campus/GFP Region 3 Staff can provide a hard copy upon arrival.

Please make sure you have a valid hunting license and understand all rules and regulations prior to going hunting.

This decoy trailer was made available in part by the following donors: Jan Nicolay (in memory of Jerry Nicolay) and Delta Waterfowl – Sioux Falls.

Critter Crate Booklet - Loaner equipment and loaner crates for free checkout with signed Crate Use Agreement.
Snowshoes
- Are you interested in trying snowshoeing? Snowshoes can now be checked out at The Campus by the pair with the signing of the Snowshoe Use Agreement.
- Snowshoes can be used during normal business hours Monday through Saturday within Sertoma Park.
- They are checked out on a first come, first serve basis and must be returned 30 minutes prior to closing (4:30pm Monday – Friday and 3:30pm on Saturdays).
Canada Goose Field Decoy Loaner Trailer
Both trailers include: full body decoys, silhouettes with carrying bag, layout blinds, decoy shells, and flags.
- Loaner Trailer #1 – Located at the Sioux Falls Outdoor Campus
  - To reserve this trailer, call the Outdoor Campus Sioux Falls at 605.362.2777. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. The trailer can be checked out for up to 5 days.
  - Reservations and pickup must be done during normal Outdoor Campus business hours.
  - If you have reserved this trailer, please complete the Loan/Waiver of Liability Agreement, and bring with you when you come to pick up the trailer.
- Loaner Trailer #2 – Located at the Brookings County Outdoor Adventure Center
  - To reserve this trailer, call The Outdoor Adventure Center at: 605.693.4622. Reservations are made on a first come first serve basis. The trailer can be checked out for up to 5 days.
  - Reservations and Pickup must be done during normal Outdoor Adventure Center hours.
  - If you have reserved this trailer, please complete the Loan/Waiver of Liability Agreement, and bring with you when you come to pick up the trailer.

Life Jackets
- Do you need to borrow a life jacket for your next recreational opportunity? The Region 3 Office (located in the same building as The Outdoor Campus) has a number of life jackets available in infant, youth, and adult sizes.
- To learn more and check availability, call the Region 3 Wildlife Office: 605.362.2700.
- Life Jackets can be checked out for up to 2 weeks at a time with the signing of the Life Jacket Use Agreement. Check out is only available between May 1 and September 30.
Live Traps
- Do you need to borrow a trap for management purposes? The Region 3 Office (located in the same building as The Outdoor Campus) has several live traps that you can borrow.
- To learn more and check availability, call the Region 3 Wildlife Office: 605.362.2700.
- Live Traps can be checked out for up to 2 weeks at a time with the signing of the Trap Use Agreement. Check out is available year-round. One trap may be checked out be an individual at a time.
Waterfowl Loaner Bags
- In a continued effort to recruit and retain waterfowl hunters, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, has created 4 duck floating kits and 3 goose floating decoy bags for checkout by the public. To reserve one of these bags, call the Region 3 Wildlife Office (located in the same building as The Outdoor Campus Sioux Falls) at: 605.362.2700. Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis.
- Waterfowl loaner bags can be checked out for up to 1 week at a time with the signing of the Waterfowl Loaner Bag Use Agreement. Checkout is only available during their respective season.
- Please make sure you have a valid hunting license and understand all rules and regulations prior to going hunting
- New to waterfowl hunting? Consider the Three-Duck Limit Option when purchasing your license

Contact Information

Amenities

Volunteers

Newsletter

Friends of the Outdoor Campus Sioux Falls

Partner with Us

Jan Nicolay, Board Chair	Kathy Anderson, Board Member
Tim Kromminga, Board Vice-Chair	Royce Meritt, Board Member
Ryan Brown, Board Member	Brian Klatt, Board Member
Amanda Oines, Board Member	Jeff Scherschligt, Board Member
Eric Olson, Board Member	Cheryl Ulvestad, Board Member
Derek Maassen, Board Member	Eric Kurtz, Board Member
Kristina Coby, SD PWF - Ex Officio Member	Emmett Keyser, Board Member
Kip Rounds, SD GFP - Ex Officio Member	Jamie Simko, Board Member
David Parker, SD GFP - Ex Officio Member