Rocker Connections
Aug. 30 - Sept 1, 2024
Organized by Student Engagement, Rocker Connection is open to all new, incoming students. Rocker Connection is an opportunity for first year students to meet one another, experience the Rapid City region, and form connections with returning students, faculty, and staff.
Space is limited for each trip. Students can sign up for a Rocker Connection via their New Student Checklist! Please Note: Each student may sign-up for only one adventure. Once registration and payment are received your spot is reserved; no refunds will be issued. Payment must be received within 48 hours of submitting your registration. Due to limited space, students are strongly encouraged to submit their payment during the initial registration process to make sure their spot is secured. While we will make every attempt to keep to the activities and timelines listed, changes to the schedules may occur. All changes will be communicated to the registered students.
Registration opens July 1 & ends August 26
*Note, the registration link takes you to your "New Student Checklist" you will need to be signed in with university credentials to access it.
Friday, August 30
Camping, Fishing, and Hiking in the Black Hills
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship invites you to come away for some fun camping, fishing, and hiking. We will gather at 5:00 pm, Friday, August 30 to drive to our camp site at Sheridan Lake North Campground. This is a beautiful campground in the Black Hills. We will be joined by 2 Faculty who especially enjoy fishing. From our camp site there are several hike options. Transportation, tents, food, fishing equipment and guidance will be provided. You may bring your own camping and fishing equipment. You will need to have some shoes for hiking and sleeping bags. We have some sleeping bags available. If you want to fish please check out this site for information, Take me fishing. We will return to campus before noon on Sunday, Sept.1.
Friday, August 30th to Sunday, September 1st 5pm- 12pm Sunday. Cost: $29.00 plus tax. Limited to 15 participants.
Gold Panning in the Black Hills with Mining and Mucking
Join the Mining and Mucking Team on an expedition to uncover some Black Hills Gold! We will leave early Saturday morning to head to the abandoned mining town of Tinton in the Northern Hills, and spend the day panning and sluicing for gold. All equipment will be provided, but be sure to wear clothes you don't mind getting wet (waders are great if you have them) and bring food for the day. We will meet on Friday evening to teach everyone how to pan for gold, then leave campus on Saturday at 7:00am, returning around 6:00pm. The trip is open to all first year students at no cost.
Friday, August 30th 5 pm & Saturday, August 31st 7 am-6 pm. Cost is Free. Limited to 5 participants.
SEDS Stars and Rockets
South Dakota is the perfect place to see the stars at their best and brightest! Come join the SEDS (Students for the Exploration and Development of Space) chapter to launch model rockets high in the sky and then view various celestial bodies through telescopes. You won't want to miss this evening's spectacular views! If there is inclement weather Friday, this event may need to shift to Saturday or Sunday.
Friday, August 30 (6 -10 pm). Cost: $10.00 plus tax (Limited to 22 participants).
Saturday, August 31
Leadership in Paintball
Sponsored by the Military Science Department, students will enjoy the great outdoors, while using paintball markers to learn team building skills, and meet their peers during simulated military missions and problem-solving adventures that will require leadership, teamwork, and analytical skills. The adventure will be conducted on a local military training facility, and will pit participants against time, terrain, and each other, with the assistance of experienced Cadets in simulated military missions! This adventure is moderately strenuous and requires participants to wear rugged clothing that you do not mind getting dirty, and to wear good shoes which you can be comfortable with hiking through rocks and wooded terrain. Water bottles and lunch will be provided. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams.
Saturday, August 31st 8 am. Cost: Free. Limited to 40 participants.
Hardrocker Racing Drive Day
Have you ever wanted a chance to get behind the wheel of high performance vehicles? This is your chance! Fuel you need for speed with the Formula team and triumph over any obstacle with the Baja team. Participants will start the morning with a meet and greet of both teams before splitting up and spending a few hours with either Baja or Formula on closed driving courses. Lunch will be provided. After lunch groups will switch and spend a few hours with the other team. All Participants must have close-toe shoes, Long pants (No synthetic materials such as nylon), and a shirt with no large openings. You will likely get muddy/dirty on the Baja Track so it is recommended that you bring a change of clothes and a towel. Saturday, August 31st 8 am. $10 per person. Limited to 20 participants.
Badlands National Park Hiking Trip
The Paleontology Club will be taking a day trip to Badlands National Park! This trip is geared more towards paleontology and geology fields since those will be the topics covered. Anyone who is interested in joining the paleontology club or have an interest in paleontology are welcome to come! We will be hiking around and exploring the Badlands. We will also see the visitor center and the preparation lab. Bring your own lunch! We will be finding a nice spot to eat lunch after hiking or taking a break when hiking. We will be discussing the paleontological history of the area and the past life. This trip is free and is open to any first year student. We will be leaving the campus at 7:30 am till around 5pm since the drive is 1 hour 30 minutes. Bring closed toe shoes (preferably hiking shoes) and lots of water as well! This will be an all day weather permitting. Students must meet in front of the PRL (the museum side) before 7:30 with their own lunch and plenty of water.
Saturday, August 31st 7:30 am. Cost is Free. Limited to 19 participants.
Explore the Historic Otho Mine with the Mine Rescue Team
The Otho is a historic tin mine in the Black Hills. It's no longer in operation and is owned by a nonprofit that allows the Mine Rescue Team (MRT) to practice our search-and-rescue, medic, and teamwork skills. We will be visiting the mine and introducing basics of the MRT to participants. PPE and Lunch will be provided.
Saturday, August 31st 9:45 am. Cost is Free. No limit on participants.
Lake Day and BBQ
Join us for a lake day at Sheridan Lake with Steel Bridge, Concrete Canoe, and ASCE. Concrete Canoe will bring their canoes and steel bridge will bring their bridge to let the freshman experience the clubs. Free burgers and hotdogs will be provided along with drinks and chips. Activities include paddling, bridge building, and yard games. Swimsuits, sunscreen, and water is highly recommended. The event will be from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, meet at the Surbeck/Library parking lot.
Saturday, August 31st 10 am-3:30 pm. Cost is Free. Limited to 30 participants.
Hiking, Kayaking, and Mass with the Newman Club
You're invited to join the Newman Club as we hike the scenic Sheridan Lake Flume Trail, celebrate mass in the stunning Black Hills, kayak, and share a picnic. This is a fantastic chance to connect with Newman Club members and cultivate Christ-centered friendships. Transportation, kayaks, and food will be taken care of, so just bring/wear your swimsuit, a towel, water, and anything else you need for a fantastic day outdoors! Meet us at the St. Carlo Acutis Catholic Student Center Saturday, August 31st at 9:00 AM.
Saturday, August 31st 9 am. Cost is Free. No limit on participants.
Flight Day
Prepare yourself for an extraordinary Flight Day event, made possible by the groundbreaking partnership between UAS and Aero Design, two leading aerial CAMP teams. This exceptional collaboration sets the stage for showcasing the very best in unmanned aerial systems and innovative aircraft designs right on campus. The Flight Day features a diverse range of flight activities and competitions, offering an incredible opportunity to witness various types of aircraft in action. From the lightning-fast racing drones to the 18 foot heavy lift planes, get ready to experience the full spectrum of aerial excitement. But that's not all. Participants will have the unique chance to get hands-on flying experience with these remarkable aircraft, navigating through a range of challenging obstacles. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast, a technology aficionado, or simply seeking an unforgettable experience, this Flight Day event has something for everyone. We will provide food.
Saturday, August 31st . Cost is Free. Limited to 25 participants.
Hike at Spring Creek Trailhead
Join the campus garden club for a hike at Spring Creek Trailhead! Take some time to enjoy the outdoors, meet new people, and explore the Black Hills on a fun group hike. Snacks will be provided, but be sure to bring water and sunscreen. Hiking shoes are recommended but not required. Transportation will be provided for anyone who needs it, but you are welcome to carpool or drive separately. This event is expected to take 3-4 hours, limit of 12 participants.
Saturday, August 31st 9 am. Cost is Free. Limited to 12 participants.
Geology Hike and Agate Hunting
The Geology Hike and Agate Hunting event will provide students with an opportunity to observe and learn about the rich geologic history of the Black Hills region. In the morning we will take a hike through a canyon that provides an excellent opportunity to observe some Black Hills geology first-hand. In the afternoon we will hunt for agates in one of the well-known agate localities in the plains just east of the Black Hills. Please bring a water bottle, sturdy shoes, a hat, and an adventurous spirit! Meet in the Surbeck Lobby at 8:45. Lunch will be provided (watch for an e-mail asking about food preferences the week before the event). Saturday, August 31th 8:45am.Cost: $25. Limited to 10 new students.
A Breath of the Wild
If you’ve ever wanted to experience the mechanics from your favorite fantasy videogame in real life, this is your chance. Come join us at the Game Fish & Parks Outdoor Campus for an introduction to archery, fishing, and building campfires. All materials and instruction will be provided free of charge. We will end the event by roasting hotdogs and marshmallows and making s'mores.
Saturday, August 31st 10 am. Cost is Free. Limited to 60 participants.
Nourish, Create, Connect: A Day with WiSE
Calling all new women students! Join Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) in a day of connecting with yourself, peer mentors, and other fellow new students. The day starts off with morning yoga at Sol Yoga at 7am; then attendees will walk over to Proudy Pottery to pick and paint a piece of pottery with some breakfast and coffee treats from Dunn Brother's Coffee where students can connect with WiSE peer mentors from every department and other fellow new students. After the fun creative morning, there will be a lunch and chat with the company Interstates to hear about how one of their engineers manages being a woman in STEM in a male-dominated industry. All social activities are optional. Sorry guys, this weekend is for STEMinists only. All participants will receive an exclusive STEMinist gift.
Saturday, August 31 7am-12pm. Cost: $10.00 (open to all first-year women). No limit on participants.
Nuclear Nerdvana
Explore the South Dakota Air & Space Museum. Located outside of Ellsworth AFB. The museum showcases displays from local history of flight to Cold-War Era missions including the Minuteman II ICBM Missile program. The spacious courtyard provides a selection of over 2-dozen military and commercial aircraft. Total time commitment is approximately 3 hours.
Saturday, August 31 9 am-1 pm. Cost is Free. Limited to 30 participants.
Sunday, September 1
Jewel Cave Adventure
Join the Dean of Students, Dr. Joe, and his assistant, Shelly, for an adventure to Jewel Cave National Monument. This cave is the third longest cave in the world with over 208 miles of mapped and surveyed passages. The Scenic Tour is moderately strenuous and lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes. The tour route involves walking up and down 734 stair steps along a 1/2 mile loop. You are required to wear completely enclosed shoes on cave tours. Any type of sandals or shoes with any openings are NOT acceptable. The temperature in the cave is 49 degrees F year-round, so please dress appropriately. After the tour, we will go into the town of Custer for lunch at a local restaurant. We will return to Rapid City after lunch.
Sunday, September 1 @ 8 am. Cost is Free. Limited to 20 participants.