Okay folks, exciting news! We will be going to Pine Ridge this summer! The dates are June 11-20. The cost will be $300 per adult ($350 if you travel with the group). The fee covers necessities from the time we get to the Rez until we leave (except for lunch on Sunday). That means camping fees, food, fuel, and water, as well as building supplies and other necessities for the work. You are on your own to feed your own personal stuff (like my Diet Coke addiction).We do have some small construction projects to work on this year, in particular the building of 2 or 3 outhouses at the Sun Dance grounds, along with some other possible projects.
We will also be doing our usual routine: Sightseeing in the Black Hills(including Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse monument) and picking up supplies on Sunday, a trip to Wounded Knee, and devotions/exploring/climbing in the badlands one evening, along with as much other stuff as we can pack in, including hopefully a sweat and Ceremony.
If camping is beyond your limits, there are rooms/cabins to rent, but you are on your own for that expense. We plan to stay at Lakota Prairie as always, but they’re not open yet. Here’s a link to the trip advisor page so you can get some idea about the accommodations and pricing (a lot of people like to go in together on a room or cabin in order to keep the cost down – if you’re interested in doing that, this would be a good place to find folks to share with): https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g54671-d678149-Reviews-Lakota_Prairie_Ranch_Resort-Kyle_South_Dakota.html. My advice right now would be to wait until you hear from me here before you make any reservations (just in case).
REGARDING COVID CONCERNS:
I’ve spoken to several folks out there, and the tribe made a big push to get everyone vaccinated, which is awesome! However, Dave and I have decided that a Covid vaccination will be required to go on the trip. We feel it is a necessary step in order to ensure (as much as possible) not only the health of our group, but maybe even more importantly, to ensure we don’t do anything to endanger the health of our friends on the Rez. I realize this may not fit in with your plans regarding the vaccine, and there’s no judgement here. You’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. It’s simply a matter of deciding which is more important to you – the trip or avoiding the vaccine. It is strictly up to you, and we’ll miss you but understand if this is a showstopper for you. I hope it won’t be.
At any rate, we’d like to get a rough count of who is planning (or hoping) to go, so if you are, please let me know in the comments below. More info will be forthcoming as necessary.