The Mission of Thunderhead Episcopal Center

“The Mission of Thunderhead Episcopal Center is
to provide a loving environment in which people can interact with the wonder of creation,
be challenged by the Holy Spirit,
find rest and adventure, and
truly know the joy of being accepted fully for who they are”

News From Thunderhead Episcopal Center

TEC NEWLETTER Update # 5

TEC Update #5
Things are rapidly gearing up for our Summer of Renewal and Refreshment!! Already there is work being done on Super Tent to replace the deck and correct drainage issues. Plans include repairing and staining the cabins, new entrances to the cabins, a path around the camp as well as a new safe fire pit area with a grill. Other hopes include a new bathhouse, new picnic tables, safe sturdy bunks for the cabins, improvements to the kitchen and many more.

All these plans are dependent on TWO IMPORTANT THINGS: money raised and volunteer help!

As you can see from the Challenge Grant thermometer, we are currently at over $44,000 towards our goal of at least $50,000. If the Challenge is met we will have $100,000 to complete some of these projects. Ideally we would love to blow the top off the thermometer with the help of all the members of this Diocese. Every little bit helps. We have received gifts as small as $5 and as large as $20,000. And we are so very grateful for all the support we have received so far. The possibilities, with everyone’s support, are amazing!!

People Power is our other big need. How can you help? A couple of ways. Attend one or all of our work weeks. (6/7-14, 6/28-7/5 and 8/23-35). Room and board will be provided and there is work for all skill levels. There will also be a special Bishop’s BBQ on July 4th for volunteers and anyone who wants to come up and see how things are progressing! If you have some time at another point in the summer and would like to spend it at camp, please contact Kim Folts or Sierra Kacher and make arrangements. In addition, we are still looking for volunteers to be TEC Ambassadors for a church or reservation. Contact Kim Folts if you have questions!

Coming soon we will have registration information for both work weeks and the summer’s TEC Savvy events. So keep your eyes open and sign up!! And please keep those donations coming for the Challenge Grant. All of the clergy and lay leaders of the Diocese have received a Fundraising Guide with some fun ways to raise money to help.

Here are a few photos of the work being done so far!!

TEC CHALLENGE

So many exciting things have happened since the last update!! In addition to the wonderful news that we have a new Canon for TEC and Youth Ministry, Sierra Kacher, we have also been offered an amazing opportunity to pay for the work we are doing at camp this summer.

An anonymous donor has offered us a $50,000 Challenge Grant. What this means is that every dollar donated is matched by this donor up to $50,000! So every dollar donated becomes two - turning $50,000 into $100,000. This would provide much needed funding for the many projects we have hopes of accomplishing at TEC!

What are these projects? Here are some possibilities depending on what money we have available:

            -New drainage system around Super Tent to prevent flooding
-A new bathhouse
-Repairs and restaining of the cabins
            -A new porch off Super Tent
            -Refurbished fire pit
-New picnic tables

These are just a few possibilities that could become realities if we meet this challenge.

Donations can be made through the Diocesan Website or by mail. If donating through the website, click the Donate button and then the TEC Challenge Grant button. If donating by mail, send a check with Thunderhead Challenge in the memo to 408 N. Jefferson Ave, Pierre, SD 57501. Watch future updates for more pictures of the thermometer as the red rises!!

A couple of other opportunities for this Summer of Renewal and Refreshment:

We are looking for capable handy people who are knowledgeable in basic construction and repair work who would be willing to donate time, either during our scheduled work weeks, or at other times during the summer. If you are one of these people, please send your name, phone number (preferably cell) and email to kimberlyfolts@gmail.com. Please note, there will be plenty of opportunities for people of all skill levels to help at TEC, but skilled labor is what we are trying to assemble for specific projects like decks and cabin repairs.
We are looking for TEC Ambassadors. What is a TEC Ambassador you may ask? We would like to have one representative from each congregation or reservation who would be willing to be a point person for sharing information about TEC. Each Ambassador will be provided with a media kit with everything they will need to help TEC become better known and understood in their congregation. This person would help each congregation celebrate TEC Sunday (this year on April 6th), and also be willing to answer questions, recruit campers and be a point person for the Diocese. We do not expect this to be an overwhelming amount of work, but having someone in place in each congregation and reservation would go a long way towards helping Canon Sierra connect with the people of this Diocese, through an additional venue along with the clergy and Lay Leaders. If this is something you feel called to, please send your name, phone and email to kimberlyfolts@gmail.com.

This is going to be an amazing year for TEC and we are so grateful for this opportunity! Please consider being a part of helping us achieve our goals!

The 2025 Thunderhead Episcopal Camp Quilt Winner is Marty Garwood, St. Andrews, Rapid City, SD

Congratulations and Thank you Michele Keppen for donating the Quilt.

Resources

TEC slide show
What, Why & How

PDF slide show

Power point slide show

TEC Camp Song Book

2024 Camp Song Book

Ideas for Fun Easy Funraising

FUNraising Ideas

TEC Committee Contact and Committee

Co-Chairs:
Julie Gehm soundslikegame@yahoo.com
Kim Folts kimberlyfolts@gmail.com

Long Range Planning and Fundraising:
Kim Folts; Julie Gehm
Marty Garwood martyj25@rap.midco.net
Amanda Barnes amandacarrollbarnes@gmail.com
Mercy Hobbs trinity.dakota2k@midconetwork.com

Buildings and Grounds Sub committee:
Bob Mayer ram.it.construction@gmail.com
Kim Fonder ktfonder@hotmail.com
Josh Bennett j.bennett006@live.com
Harold Walker hjwalker61@gmail.com

Program Planning:
Kim Folts
Maimie Thomas maimiethomas@gmail.com
Jennifer Iron Cloud mahpiyamaza3@gmail.com
Anpao One Feather onefeather.anpao@icloud.com

Mailing Address:

See mailing address:
This is only a physical address
No mail is received here.
21978 Hwy 85 South.

Mission and Purpose of Thunderhead Episcopal Center

Changes for A Little History:

Thunderhead Episcopal Center was founded in the mid-1960s when the Diocese of South Dakota purchased a former dude ranch in the Black Hills for use as a church camp. The intent and purpose of TEC was to provide a positive and accepting experience for youth from around the Diocese, that would immerse them in fun, the beauty of God’s creation, and the love of true Christian community. For many years, camp has done just that, as well as opening up the wonders of Thunderhead to adults, families and outside groups alike.

In 2024 the Thunderhead Committee got together and approved a Mission Statement for TEC that embraces this ideal:

“The Mission of Thunderhead Episcopal Center is to provide a loving environment in which people can interact with the wonder of creation, be challenged by the Holy Spirit, find rest and adventure, and truly know the joy of being accepted fully for who they are”

The Committee created this statement with not just summer camp in mind, but with a broader hope for the future of TEC and all that it can become for the people of our Diocese and beyond.

Summer camp specifically, though having undergone ups and downs and fluctuations of attendance, always strives to provide a safe, fun and loving environment for children of all ages. From Family Camp through Senior High Camp, the goal is to offer engaging activities, delicious food, amazing crafts, and beautiful worship that is age appropriate and centered in God’s love. A day in the life of camp includes all these things, and hopefully provides the type of positive experience that will bring youth back again and again.