Press Release-Camp Lakodia's Programs and Uniqueness Bring Year Round Success

From: CSD - Oct 31, 2005

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Release Date: Oct. 31, 2005
Contact: Derric Miller
CSD Communications Office
dsmiller@c-s-d.org



Camp Lakodia’s Programs and Uniqueness Bring Year Round Success

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Oct. 31, 2005) — Camp Lakodia, a four-season resort located at Lake Herman in Madison, S.D., announced another successful year, seeing an increase in the usage of camp cabins, Turk Lodge, Dining Hall, Lakodia Hall, and at the RV sites. An increasing number of individuals took advantage of the camp programs as well, like the National Leadership and Literacy (NLLC) for deaf and hard of hearing youth and Lakodia Outfitters.

In 2000, CSD started the NLLC for deaf and hard of hearing youth of middle school age, beginning CSD’s summer youth programs. NLLC was held in Maryland and Minnesota. In July 2002, CSD acquired Camp Lakodia from the South Dakota 4-H program. Camp Lakodia was an ideal fit for the expansion of CSD’s summer youth programs. Since then, NLLC has expanded to middle school and high school sessions, and a basketball camp (Ronda Jo Miller Basketball Camp) was added in 2004, along with Kids of Deaf Adults Camp in 2005. The current plan calls for the addition of a golf camp to the 2006 summer programs. Approximately 480 youth have attended youth programs over the past six summers. This past summer, the camp hosted 132 youth from 27 states.

Camp Lakodia is also accredited by the American Camping Association. This accreditation shows that Camp Lakodia meets and exceeds safety, health and program quality standards.

Lakodia Outfitters — a high demand, all inclusive hunting package — provides a unique opportunity to hunt pheasants on the camp’s 2,200 acres of prime habitat. Ideally situated on the south shore of Lake Herman, hunters are led by seasoned local guides who know where to find the most birds per square mile. The guides provide well-trained hunting dogs, helping ensure a rewarding hunting experience. When the party returns from a successful hunt, Lakodia staff will clean and process the pheasants, including vacuum packing and freezing them for the trip home. When at the lodge, hunting parties will be treated to meals prepared by the camp’s kitchen staff. Satellite TV, DVD players and Internet access are also available in their cabins. Just in its second year, over 80 hunters from all around the nation traveled to South Dakota to experience what Lakodia Outfitters offers.

“Camp Lakodia is quickly becoming known as a prime spot for various types of gatherings. Our primary mission will always be to serve deaf and hard of hearing youth through camps and other programs, but we strive to accomplish this through making our facilities available to groups of every type,” said Roger Kraft, Camp Lakodia vice president. “Organizational boards, class reunions, executive retreats, and many other types of events are welcome at Camp Lakodia — Four Seasons Resort!”

CSD, headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D., is the parent organization of Camp Lakodia LLC.

For more information about Camp Lakodia and its year-round activities, go to www.camplakodia.com.

About Camp Lakodia
Camp Lakodia today is a premier full-fledged, four-season resort with a wide range of amenities and activities to accommodate a multitude of tastes and lifestyles. Events at the Camp range from corporate retreats and weddings to youth summer programs and family gatherings during the winter holidays. Camp Lakodia was established in 1941 and will continue to provide the very best of what the Midwest has to offer.

About CSD
CSD (aka Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.) was established in 1975, primarily to provide sign language interpreting services to deaf and hard of hearing adults in South Dakota. Today, CSD employs over 3,000 individuals in offices across the nation, providing a broad continuum of social and human services programs, as well as telecommunications relay services. CSD is a private nonprofit agency dedicated to providing quality services; ensuring public accessibility; and increasing awareness of issues affecting the deaf, hard of hearing and individuals with speech disabilities. For more information, please visit www.c-s-d.org.

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