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South Dakota - FAQ

Tell me more about the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation?
Tell me more about the partner organization
What type of volunteer work is available?
What age do I have to be to volunteer in this program?
When will I know specific details on the placement?
What language do I need to know to participate in the program?
When do I need to arrive at the reservation?
What are the living arrangements while volunteering?
How do I get to the project?
How many volunteers are there on site at the same time?
What hours am I expected to take part in the program?
Are we able to do any sight seeing?
What is the course content of training/orientation session?
Are there any more expenses once I arrive?
How do I pay my fees?
Do I need an entry visa and how do I obtain this?
Do I need travel insurance?
Is there any time of the year when I can't volunteer?
What is the climate like in South Dakota?
Can I bring my family/children to this program with me?
Can groups participate in the program?
What is the criterion for volunteers to be accepted into the program?
Do I have to be from New Zealand to volunteer through Global Volunteer Network?
Can vegetarians be catered for in this program?

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Tell me more about the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation?
The Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation is located in the state of South Dakota in the United States of America. There are 9 Indian Reservations in South Dakota, of which Cheyenne River is the largest. The reservation was established by the Sioux Agreement Act of March 2, 1889, which divided the Great Sioux Reservation into five smaller reservations. Its boundaries include roughly 2.8 million acres of rolling prairie lands (about the size of Northern Ireland). The reservation has six representative districts and the district councils have an advisory role in tribal government. There are 17 communities outside of Eagle Butte, such as Cherry Creek, Red Scaffold, White Horse, Black Foot and Swift Bird.

Tell me more about the partner organisation?
The youth centre was founded in January 1988 in response to the community's need for more services that support struggling children and their families. It was initially operated completely by volunteer staff and quickly became a vital element of the Cheyenne River Community. The current 4,560 sq. ft. facility provides a recreation room, library, family room, commercial grade kitchen, office space and residential quarters for long-term volunteers. As a drop-in centre there can be as many as 60 children at the centre at any one time.

What type of volunteer work is available?
Volunteers will be working full-time with the children at the centre on a variety of activities such as teaching, playing sports, arts and crafts, working in the organic garden, serving meals, helping with homework and taking day trips outside of the centre. Volunteers will also help with the general maintenance and upkeep of the centre. Volunteers with specific skills will be encouraged to implement their own programs with the children.

What age do you have to be to volunteer in this program?
Volunteers must be 18 or older to participate in this program.

When will I know specific details on the placement?
After you pay your deposit, which secures your spot in the program, we will put you in touch with our partner who will contact you about your placement. The specific activities you will be working on will not be decided until your arrival, during your first week of orientation.

What language do I need to know to participate in the program?
Volunteers need to be native speakers or fluent in English in order to participate in this program.

When do I need to arrive at the reservation?
Volunteers can arrive on the first or third Monday of each month and the program runs year-round.

What are the living arrangements when volunteering?
Volunteers are housed at the centre in dormitory-style accommodation. There are currently 2 dormitories which house 8 people each.

How do I get to the project?
Volunteers fly into Pierre Airport, South Dakota and are picked up by our partner. If you arrive late in the day you will need to stay one night in Pierre before heading out to the reservation, as it is located 90 miles away.

How many volunteers are there on the site at the same time?
The centre can accommodate a maximum of 16 volunteers at any one time - however this number will fluctuate throughout the year.

What hours am I expected to take part in the program?
Due to the varied schedule of the centre daily hours will fluctuate according to time of year, however on average volunteers work around 9 hours per day 5 days a week. Volunteers will have Sunday and one other day off per week.

Are we able to do any sight-seeing?
Volunteers can travel during their days off. For extended travel volunteers can arrange to take a few days off as long as the staff know in advance.

What is the course content of the training?
On arrival volunteers have one day of orientation which includes: a discussion with the staff on the expectations of volunteers, the work schedule and the code of conduct; a tour of the centre's facilities; a tour of the town and its major attractions. After this the new volunteer will shadow another volunteer for about a week before they are asked to take on more responsibility. On-going training in various areas like health, nutrition and first-aid are also provided.

Are there any more expenses once I arrive?
All food and accommodation is provided for in your in-country fee. You will also need to cater for travelling money and personal spending money for your time on the program.

How do I pay my fees?
Your application fee secures your place on the program (remember this is fully refundable if you decide not to take part in the program). Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer's expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. Eighty percent (80%) of your program fee is refundable until one calendar month before the 1st of the month you are due to begin your program.

Do I need an entry visa (and how do I obtain this)?
If you are from a country which has a Visa Waiver Agreement with the United States you will not need a visa to stay for up to 90 days. If you need to obtain a visa you will need to contact your nearest American Embassy. Please note that if you require a visa this must be arranged independently of GVN and the partner organisation.

Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for this program. You can arrange this personally or choose to purchase it though GVN. We have arranged a comprehensive travel insurance package specially designed for volunteering. It includes excellent medical and accident coverage as well as a 'loss of deposits' cover which covers fees paid to GVN, airlines etc (up to US$8,000). If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/insurance/.

Is there any time of year when I can't volunteer?
No; the program runs all year round.

What is the climate like in South Dakota?
The Cheyenne River Reservation has a cold-temperate climate, with typically harsh winters and hot summers. Temperatures in the summer are usually between 80 and 95 degrees F (27 - 35 degrees C). In the winter the temperature can fall below 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C). Spring and fall are both quite mild with temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees F (10 and 21 degrees C). Cheyenne River receives very little rainfall and is usually quite sunny throughout the year.

Can I bring my family/children to this program with me?
This will be considered on a case-by-case basis; however the program is not suitable for families with very young children.

Can groups participate in this program?
Yes, the program can cater for groups. In this case the minimum time commitment would be two weeks and the program fee would be reduced. If you would like to volunteer as a group please contact us.

What is the criterion for volunteers to be accepted into the program?
Each applicant is considered by the information they provide on the application. If further information is required applicants will be emailed to request this. Please refer to the program requirements listed on the program page which outlines the minimum expectations of what is required for volunteering in this specific program. We also look further at your application as to skills and experience specifically related to the program such as previous experience working with children. We look at volunteer experiences, travel experience and also your particular interest in the program to make our decision.

Do I have to be from New Zealand to volunteer through the Global Volunteer Network?
No, volunteers come from all around the world.

Can vegetarians be catered for in this program?
Indeed, vegetarians are welcomed and catered for as long as you indicate this on your application form.

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Question not covered here? Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unanswered, please submit your question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours).

Click here to apply for the South Dakota program.