South Dakota Adventure: Making Travel Accessible

September 16, 2026

Three residents, four staff, two vehicles and one unforgettable trip through South Dakota.

Recently, three Homeward Bound residents and four staff packed up for a road trip to Rapid City, South Dakota.

The trip included the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Badlands. There was also an unexpected buffalo traffic jam, plenty of scenic stops and, for one resident, the simple excitement of staying in a hotel.

But behind every stop was something equally important: the planning, staffing and support required to make an adventure like this possible.

The Road to South Dakota

The group traveled in two vehicles: Homeward Bound’s Recreation van and the 82nd van.

That detail helps tell the bigger story. Making travel accessible for three residents required four staff, two vehicles and plenty of flexibility along the way.

What was expected to be an eight-hour drive took about 12.5 hours after planned and unexpected stops. The first and last days were long, but the experiences in between made the extra travel time worth it.

And sometimes, the unexpected stops became part of the adventure.

During daily check-ins, Ariana heard a favorite story from Justin: the group found themselves stuck on the road because of a buffalo traffic jam.

Instead of becoming another travel delay, it turned into a funny and memorable experience for residents and staff alike.

Exploring the Black Hills and Badlands

Once in South Dakota, the group had plenty to explore.

They traveled through the Black Hills National Forest, visited Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, and made their way through the Badlands.

The Badlands became one of the highlights of the trip. After hours of relatively flat scenery, staff described arriving there as feeling like they had suddenly reached another planet — “like Mars.”

Staff stopped at overlooks and scenic areas along the way, giving residents time to take in the views and experience each place at their own pace.

Seeing the Experience in Different Ways

Travel is not experienced or communicated the same way by everyone.

One of the three residents uses spoken language to communicate. Staff also recognized the others’ reactions through their smiles, laughter, expressions and excitement throughout the trip.

For Justin, one of the best parts was simply watching the residents enjoy themselves and seeing the connections they made along the way.

For Jeremy, there was another clear favorite: the hotel.

Jeremy loves staying in hotels, and the South Dakota trip was no exception. Since returning home, he has continued asking Justin when they can go back to a hotel again.

It is a simple reminder that the most meaningful part of an adventure is different for everyone.

It might be seeing Mount Rushmore for the first time. It might be looking across the Badlands, getting stopped by buffalo or taking a scenic drive through the Black Hills.

Or it might be the excitement of spending a few nights in a hotel.

Making More Adventures Possible

Trips like this do not happen without significant planning and support.

Accessible transportation, staffing, nursing support, meals, lodging, admission costs and other travel needs all play a role in determining what is possible.

That is one reason Homeward Bound created the Adventure Club.

Through the Adventure Club, donors can help remove some of the barriers that stand between the people we serve and opportunities to explore new places, try new things and spend meaningful time in their communities.

The South Dakota trip lasted only a few days. But the stories came home with everyone.

A buffalo traffic jam. The first view of the Badlands. A night at a hotel. A laugh shared on a long drive.

Those are the moments your support helps make possible.