About the program
Connecting Kids provides financial assistance for children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in youth development activities due to financial barriers. Students in grades K-8 living in Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, and Turner Counties are eligible to receive one Connecting Kids scholarship per calendar year.
Local research shows that cost and lack of awareness can prevent some children from participating in the many activities available throughout the Sioux Empire. Connecting Kids helps remove those barriers by ensuring more children have the opportunity to explore their interests, build skills, and get involved in their community.
Families in need of assistance can choose from eligible free or reduced-fee activities through participating organizations. To enroll your child, please contact one of the organizations below and mention the Connecting Kids program. For additional questions, contact Sioux Empire United Way at 605-336-2095.
Offer Your Program Through Connecting Kids
Help make your youth programs accessible to more children across the Sioux Empire. Organizations can apply to become a Connecting Kids partner and provide free or reduced-fee opportunities for families in need.
Youth Opportunities and Activities
City of Canton
www.cantonsd.org
Activities available: softball, baseball, soccer, pool pass, swimming lessons, day recreation
605-987-2881
City of Garretson - Community Swimming Pool
https://www.cityofgarretson.com/
Activities available: pool pass, swimming lessons
605-594-6721
City of Lennox
https://www.lennoxparksandrec.com/
Activities available: baseball, softball, t-ball, soccer, pool
605-647-2286
City of Salem
www.salemsd.com
Activities available: softball, baseball, pool passes, swimming lessons
605-425-2301
Dakota Alliance Soccer Club
www.dakotaalliancesoccer.com
Activities available: youth development academy, recreational soccer
605-332-5911
Dakota Spirit
https://dakotaspirit.com/
Activities available: performance league teams, prep teams, specialty classes, camps or clinics, half season team
605-373-0414
EmBe
www.embe.org/program/gotr
Activities available: Girls on the Run (available throughout multiple communities within the Sioux Empire)
605-681-8349
First Tee - South Dakota
www.firstteesouthdakota.org
Activities available: tiered learning programs, registered "Little Duffers", homework and hitting through Salvation Army partnership
605-367-7092
Girl Scouts - Dakota Horizons
www.gsdakotahorizons.org
Activities available: leadership experience and year-round educational opportunities
800-666-2141
Great Plains Zoo
www.greatzoo.org/zoocamp/
Activities available: summer zoo camp
605-367-8313 x233 | education@GPZoo.org
Inspiration Hills
www.inspirationhills.org
Activities available: journey camp
712-986-5193
Light for the Next Generation
https://lightfornextgen.org/about-page/
Activities available: Rising Stars Soccer Program
605-940-2315
Mosaic Arts & Events
www.mosaicsiouxfalls.com/create/art-classes/
Activities available: youth art classes
605-271-9500
Sioux Empire Baseball Association
www.siouxempirebaseball.org
Activities available: Miracle League, SEBA League first and second session, Post 15 travel baseball
605-215-1465 | info@siouxempirebaseball.org
Sioux Falls Children's Choir
www.thesiouxfallschildrenschoir.com
Activities available: singing
info@thesiouxfallschildrenschoir.com
Sioux Falls Figure Skating
https://www.sffsc.com/
Activities available: learn to skate, hockey academy
605-215-0450
Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation
https://www.siouxfalls.gov/activities-recreation/aquatics/pools/midco-a…
Activities available: swimming lessons, swim pass
605-367-7665
Sioux Falls School District Community Education
https://sfsdcomed.myrec.com/info/default.aspx
Activities available: community education camps, classes: taekwondo/personal enhancement/wellness/art/music
605-367-4384
Sioux Falls Tennis Association
www.sfta.net
Activities available: tennis lessons
605-351-1631
Sioux Falls Youth Hockey Association
https://www.siouxfallsflyers.com/
Activities available: youth hockey
605-361-9836
The Premiere Playhouse
www.thepremiereplayhouse.com
Activities available: Camps #1 and #2
605-360-4800
Washington Pavilion
https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/programs/camps-and-classes/
Activities available: summer camp, homeschool, no school STEAM, youth production, musical theatre camp
605-731-2350
Education@WashingtonPavilion.org
YMCA
www.siouxfallsymca.org/sports/
Activities available: basketball and lacrosse
605-336-3190
Youth Ninja Foundation
https://www.youthninjafoundation.org/
Activities available: Youth Ninja and Ariel Silks
605-360-5529