"The Outdoor Campus' mission is to provide education about outdoor skills, wildlife, conservation and management practices of South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to all ages in order to preserve our outdoor heritage."
 

What? A school for outdoorsmen? A state-sponsored school for outdoorsmen? Amazing.

South Dakota's got it goin' on, and they've got serious game. Take one trip there and you'll see it's an outdoorsman's dreamland. And with their Outdoor Campus education facilities, it's clear they don't take any of their wildlife resources for granted.

They're really taking their investment into outdoor learning and appreciation to the next level this year. On July 30 they're hosting the Outdoor University at their Sioux Falls Outdoor Campus location.

The Outdoor University is an all-day event where participants will be able to demo everything taught at the Outdoor Campus. Archery, BB gun shooting, kayaking, fishing and outdoor cooking—it's all there. The director of the event, Thea Miller Ryan, said they'll also show participants “why and how Game, Fish and Parks works in the state. We’ll show everything from law enforcement boats and trucks, to mountain lion tracking technology, electrofishing, fish stocking and a wildland fire unit.” Of course, they'll be giving out tons of sweet door prizes, too.

Wouldn't it be great if every state government showed this kind of commitment  to the preservation and growth our outdoor heritage? 

Learn more about the event at the Outdoor University website. If you're in the area or looking for a weekend retreat, head to Sioux Falls and check it out. Better yet, bring a caravan of fellow outdoor fanatics and whoop it up.  

(Insider tip: The event is free and no pre-registration is required. Once the park parking is filled, extra parking is available at the Sanford Clinic Family Medicine on 49th and Oxbow, behind the Sanford Wellness Center.)