How do you grow a South Dakotan? We all want the children in our lives to grow up with a sense of place and pride. But nobody has ever published a “how to” guide on accomplishing such a goal.
Our magazine staff began the task by recalling our own childhood experiences. Then we asked experts (anglers, cowboys, artists, rock hounds and a rattlesnake professor) to help. The result is a guide for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and all adults who play important roles in young South Dakotans’ lives.
Much of the guide involves ways to involve children with nature. We offer advice on best hikes, rock hunting, rattlesnake etiquette and guides on how to identify South Dakota fish, trees and the most common cattle breeds.
Joel Vasek, a popular fishing guide from Geddes, tells how he engages children on a fishing trip. “Get them involved in some of the decisions,” he suggests. “We can catch fish on anything, so let them look through the tackle box and pick out a few lures. I also make sure the live well is accessible to them, and then I’ll ask them to check on the fish now and then.”
Are you familiar with our state song, “Hail South Dakota”? That’s one of several cultural pieces we suggest are important to raising a South Dakotan. The song was written by DeeCort Hammitt of Alcester and adopted in 1947. He was the first director of the Alcester town band that performed for President Calvin Coolidge during his Black Hills vacation in 1927.
We also recommend a reading list for all ages of young readers, and a compilation of art museums where they’ll find some of the most important works South Dakotans have created. And of course, we suggest that kids learn about Badger Clark, our state’s first poet laureate who wrote the beloved poem, “A Cowboy’s Prayer.”
We also solicited suggestions from the Reinhold family of Sturgis, operators of Rainbow Bible Ranch; Suzanne Hegg, the first executive director of the Children’s Museum in Brookings; and Steve Van Bockern, an education professor at Augustana University in Sioux Falls.
And we visited with Marla Bull Bear, director of the Native American Advocacy Program that hosts summer camps for youth at Milk’s Camp in Gregory County. Marla uses stories about nature to teach life lessons. At a recent camp, she and camp participants spooked a blue heron while taking a walk. That prompted her to tell the group a story of a heron that forgot it was a migratory bird.
“It didn’t know its own history and forgot who it was,” she said. “It thought it could be a winter bird, but when the cold weather came it nearly froze to death because it was too proud and refused help.”
Like blue herons, it’s important for our youngsters to know their place. Our guide is a good start.
Katie Hunhoff is the editor of South Dakota Magazine, a print magazine that features the people and places of our great state. To subscribe or to order the current issue discussed above, visit www.SouthDakotaMagazine.com
-
Weather
Failure notice from provider:
Connection Error:http_request_failedUpcoming Events
May 2024 SSunday MMonday TTuesday WWednesday TThursday FFriday SSaturday 28April 28, 2024 29April 29, 2024 30April 30, 2024 1May 1, 2024 2May 2, 2024 3May 3, 2024 4May 4, 2024 5May 5, 2024 6May 6, 2024 7May 7, 2024 8May 8, 2024 9May 9, 2024 10May 10, 2024 11May 11, 2024 12May 12, 2024 13May 13, 2024 14May 14, 2024 15May 15, 2024 16May 16, 2024 17May 17, 2024 18May 18, 2024 19May 19, 2024 20May 20, 2024 21May 21, 2024 22May 22, 2024 23May 23, 2024 24May 24, 2024 25May 25, 2024 26May 26, 2024 27May 27, 2024 28May 28, 2024 29May 29, 2024 30May 30, 2024 31May 31, 2024 1June 1, 2024 -
Recent Posts
Contact Us
Archives
Tweet