Recreation, leisure, and lifelong learning

Black Hills Workshop in Rapid City, SD provides a variety of quality options for recreation, leisure, and lifelong learning and people are encouraged to pursue their own hobbies and interests. Numerous activities are available to suit various interests. These include social events, such as parties and cookouts; event attendance such as sporting events, concerts, movies, rodeos, and pow wows; and recreational activities like horseback riding, bowling, basketball, volleyball, skiing, softball, fishing, and many others. Special Olympics activities are also offered throughout the year.

Participants in the Health, Fitness & Sport Center can choose from a variety of games like bocce ball, pickle ball, kick ball and croquet. There is a walking program available and individuals can also bowl or play horseshoes. Many people are supported in attending local private health clubs, some of which offer special deals to individuals served by Black Hills Workshop. The Health, Fitness & Sport Center also partners with a local golf course so that individuals may enjoy golf.

At the Suzie Cappa Center for Art Expression and Enjoyment volunteers and employees teach classes in a wide variety of artistic mediums including photography, calligraphy, collage, music, quilting, oil and watercolor painting, batik, and sculpture.

Participants from the Art Center can also choose to participate in theatre. The Suzie Cappa Players have even joined forces with other theatre groups to stage local performances.

The Elderly Life Enrichment Program provides support to those at Black Hills Workshop who are at or near retirement age with a full schedule of daily activities. Activities focus on maintaining a physically fit body, creating or strengthening a personal social network through a wide range of social activities, expanding and exploring personal interests through a variety of leisure experiences, and maintaining daily living skills.

The STEPS Program (Support, Teamwork, Experience, Participation, and Skills) gives individuals an opportunity to take classes on a variety of subjects including health, safety, communication, hobbies, social skills, life skills and technology. Those taking classes may learn to cook a favorite dish or send and receive-mail. They might choose to learn to read, scrapbook, vote, or do any other of a variety of new skills.

Individuals have an opportunity to learn to speak up for themselves by participating in People First. People First is a national organization which gives people with disabilities an opportunity to advocate for themselves on issues affecting their lives and teaches them to speak out. The group meets regularly and has hosted several statewide advocacy conferences.

Many people at Black Hills Workshop are learning to read or improve their reading through tutoring from volunteers of the Literacy Council of the Black Hills.

Others take classes through the College of Direct Support, an on-line training program offering classes to both employees and individuals receiving services. Classes cover topics such as relationship skills and safety in the home.