The Cheyenne River Youth Project marked the holiday season this month with two special events celebrating community, connection and youth achievement.
On Dec. 4, CRYP welcomed 97 community members of all ages to its annual Holiday Party, bringing families together for an evening of games, activities and a shared meal. Youth and families enjoyed musical chairs, Christmas bingo, Jenga, a cake walk, and other festive games, along with face painting and photos with Santa.
There were door prizes—four winners each received a bucket filled with toys—and dinner featured barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes, maple squash, corn, Snicker salad and cake.
Two days later, on Dec. 6, CRYP’s younger youth from The Main (ages 7 to 12) were treated to a special field trip to Pierre in recognition of their consistent attendance, positive attitudes, and leadership with younger children at the youth center. Twelve children visited the South Dakota State Capitol to view the decorated trees in the annual Christmas at the Capitol event, and they also had the opportunity to explore hands-on exhibits at The Discovery Center.
CRYP staff said both events reflected the organization’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences during the holiday season. Youth programming and Family Services are now closed for the holidays as staff focus on organizing the Wo Otúh’an Wi Toy Drive, which supports hundreds of local families and delivers holiday joy to more than 1,200 children across the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.