Ave Maria Singles: Black Hills Camping Trip

Join other single Catholics and Ave Maria Singles founder, Anthony Buono, for a rustic camping adventure in the majestic Black Hills of South Dakota! This will be a great opportunity to relax, have fun, renew your faith, and experience the beautiful sights offered by this awesome setting.

The location we have chosen is Placerville Camp between Rapid City and Deadwood, South Dakota. This is not a trip for just anyone. You have to be open to the rustic experience. The cabins have electricity and fans, but do not have bathrooms. The main bathroom facilities are in the lodge.

Sleeping quarters and bathroom facilities will be shared with your fellow campers. This is a true camping experience and a great way to take a break from the fast pace of everyday life and to live simply, if only for a week.

Placerville Camp also has a new basketball court (1/2), sand volleyball, horseshoes, ping pong, walking trails of various lengths, and fire rings for our nighttime gathering spots for fellowship. Please check out the Placerville Camp website for pictures of the premises.

Talks will be given by Anthony Buono and Fr. Timothy Castor, a pastor in the diocese of Rapid City and the chaplain for this trip.

Mass will be celebrated daily, and we will have the rosary and opportunities for Confession. To top off this great trip, we will have Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Only (45) person limit on this trip, so register now!

Accommodations:

Everyone will have identical accommodations, and are REQUIRED to share a cabin.

Cost: $799 per person (so affordable for what is included)

Price Includes:

* Transportation from and return to the Rapid City, SD Regional Airport.
* Lodging for 6 nights at Placerville Camp.
* Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. NOTE: You must sign up for dinner each day if you plan on being there for that meal.
* Special welcome and departure dinners.
* Group excursion to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, with a ride on Wildlife Loop Road Scenic Byway to see buffalo, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, elk, etc.
* Group use of a 14-passenger deluxe mini-coach for day trips as outlined below.

Price Does NOT Include:

* Airfare
* Transportation other than specified.

What to bring:

* Sleeping bags or bed linens
* Bath and hand towels
* Toiletries

This week is about RELAXING. We have only ONE group trip planned, which is Monday to Mt. Rushmore and other main tourist sites. Other than this, we encourage relaxing and enjoying the Black Hills and the camp site.

The following is an itinerary that includes optional excursions:

August 9 (Saturday):

As everyone will be arriving at the Rapid City Airport at many different times, we will have small buses or passenger vans waiting as close to each arrival as we can.

August 10 (Sunday):

OPTIONAL: Jewel Cave, Custer City, Wind Cave Prairie Dog Town. 14 passengers max.

August 11 (Monday):

8am - 5pm
A Charter coach will take the entire group to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Highway, and the Wildlife Loop Road.

August 12 (Tuesday):

OPTIONAL: If you would like to visit a local, colorful, fellow who can share with us his knowledge of the early Gold Rush days and a bit of his family history, this day is for you. Russel Frink is a WASP (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) and is a delight to know and be around. Anyone with a penchant for history, or just a good time, will enjoy meeting Russel and visiting his goldmine.

OPTIONAL: We can try and stop in Deadwood or the Termesphere Gallery in Spearfish if time allows, or we could take one of the most scenic drives in South Dakota, Spearfish Canyon. 14 passengers max.

August 13 (Wednesday):

9 am
OPTIONAL: Pine Ridge Indian School and a tour of the Wounded Knee Massacre site. We will have available a local 1/4 Lakota Step-On Guide for Wounded Knee. We can try to go to Wall Drug and the Badlands as well. This is an all day trip, and there is a fee of $25 per person. Payment can be made at time of departure. 14 passengers max.

August 14 (Thursday):

11 am
OPTIONAL: Let's climb Harney Peak! the highest point East of the Rocky Mountains. This is 6-7hrs round trip. 14 passengers max.
Nighttime
OPTIONAL: Night-time lighting ceremonies at Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial if there is interest. $5-10 entrance fee each required. 14 passengers max.

Meals:

Arrival Dinner and Departure Dinner:
On Saturday, our arrival dinner will feature BBQ ribs as the main course, and our departure dinner on Thursday evening will feature grilled, marinated chicken.

Menu for the week:
Here is a sampling of what you can expect for the other meals. If you have a special dietary need, please let us know when you register and we will make every attempt to accommodate your needs.

Breakfast

Pancakes, Sausage, Fresh cut fruit - melon, strawberries, Juice, French Toast, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Kielbasa, Country Style Hash Browns, Coffee Cake, Egg Bake, Muffins or Cinnamon Rolls, Drink

Lunch and Dinner

Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Taco Bar, Ham, Hamburgers, Hot dogs, Tater Tots, Cheesy Potatoes, Churros, Baked Potato Bar, Salad Bar, Fries or chips, Rice Pilaf, various vegetables, Corn Bread, Dessert and drinks.

PLEASE NOTE: For those who have heard of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, please know that it is ending the weekend we arrive, so the number of people in the Black Hills area will be diminishing. Placerville Camp does not allow Rally Campers and the setting will be very quiet.

REGISTRATION:
You can register for this great and affordable AMS trip by going to:
https://dependanet.com/605tours/ave-maria.htm
Payment is refundable up to 30 days prior to the retreat, after which payment is non-refundable for cancellation.

Questions?
605 Touring Company is handling the registrations. For any questions, you can contact Don Lipp directly at 605-226-9999, or by email at tours@tourSDbackroads.com.

Airfare Discount
605 Touring Company has established our group with a company called CTC, contact person is Dee Klein, 800-529-0105. Any Air Agent with CTC can help you set up airfare to Rapid City, SD and find the best rates. So far, they have Ave Maria Singles group set up with Northwest Airlines to receive a 7% discount off the current published airfare if you purchase your tickets at least 30 days prior to departure. Tickets purchased within 30 days will still receive a discount of 5% off. To receive this discount, you MUST contact a CTC Air Agent at 800-529-0105, or Dee Klein directly at 605-717-7013. (There is an additional $15 per ticket booking fee, which will be added to the fare by Northwest Airlines.) Again, at the time you want to book a flight, they will check with all the airline carriers for you that service Rapid City and see if they offer any better options.