Surrounded by the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Sioux Indian reservations, the town of Martin, South Dakota offers unique access to the Lakota culture. There also are plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors by hunting and fishing, or taking advantage of local golf courses, bike paths and athletic fields. Just like the reservations it borders, however, the town struggles with poverty and the sometimes-tense relations between ethnic groups. Your group will shine the light of Christ in this community through home improvement projects and by serving the local children and elderly residents.

Demographics

The town of Martin, South Dakota is the county seat of Bennett County. Bordered by the rugged Dakota Badlands to the north and the Sandhills of Nebraska to the south, Martin’s terrain is relatively flat. It is a wheat-growing and cattle-producing area with a population of about 1,500. The racial makeup of the city is primarily white (54 percent) and Native American (38 percent). While the Native Americans in Martin live off the reservation, they still retain important connections with the reservation community. The city’s position between two reservations has produced racial tensions between Martin residents and the Indian tribes, but the people of these communities are now making efforts to be more sensitive to one another. The area also is home to many low-income families. Nearly 30 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. You will be blessed as you work alongside the residents of this community to reach out to those most in need of your ministry.

About the Ministry

Participants serve in a variety of ways during a YouthWorks mission trip. Students may spend all week at one ministry or switch between ministries during the week. Ministries that your students may participate in are Kids Club and Work Projects. Kids Club is a hands-on program led by your youth offering high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Whether we’re painting houses, performing minor home repair, cleaning up debris, volunteering in community gardens or other projects in the community, the projects students work on will serve as our way of blessing people in need. We cannot confirm until all groups arrive exactly what ministries your students will be a part of during the week. We ask that you come with a willing and flexible spirit!

Activities

Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: go on a hike with a community member; go on a scavenger hunt; bowling; and attend a community Bar-B-Q. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided. We try to arrange for free evening activities, but from time to time, an additional cost may be required for an activity. Please plan to bring an additional $10 per person to cover any extra costs. We will confirm the details closer to your trip.

Ministry Week

Kids Club and Work Projects.

Mileage

Martin is approximately 2.5 hours southeast of Rapid City, and almost 5 hours southwest of Sioux Falls, SD.

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week. Martin is a bus accessible site. A bus is defined as any vehicle that is larger than a standard 15-passenger van. If you would like to bring a vehicle in this category, you will need to contact the Service Center to discuss the additional requirements due to the size of your group.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in South Dakota and surrounding areas before or after your trip, call 1.800.S.DAKOTA to request a complete summer information kit or visit: www.travelsd.com.