From the President-

Thank you to all who participated and worked so hard to bring you the 10th anniversary convention in Sioux Falls. The board members worked many hours to plan the classes, schedule of events, speaker and to talk to sponsors for the auction items. A huge thank you to each of you for your support of your organization!!
If you enjoyed this year’s convention, you are going to love next year’s convention. Plans are already underway to bring you another exciting weekend. Do you want to assist with the convention? Do you have classes that you really would like to take or teach at convention? OWSD is always looking to try to bring you new classes and new events to take. Email the newsletter site or one of the board members if you are interested in serving on the convention planning committee.
What are your plans for this summer? Does it include being outside and soaking up the summer sunshine? Are you taking the family on a vacation? Be sure to check out the many opportunities that are available for you to enjoy right here in South Dakota. Whether it is bike riding on the first Tour de Kota, hiking Harney Peak, kayaking the rivers, rock climbing in the Needles area, fishing on the mighty Mo, or just being in your backyard for a picnic, be sure to be safe at what you are doing. Pack a first aid kit with you, know the safety requirements for the activity- wear the life jackets while in the water, wear the bike helmet, hike with a buddy- check out the weather, and wear sunscreen.
Be safe and be smart about where you are and where you are going.
Have a great time this summer in the outdoors of South Dakota. Capture your moments on camera, and then write an article about your experiences in the outdoors and what you learned or taught to your friends and family and send it to the OWSD newsletter site for the newsletter. We are always looking for good educational articles for the newsletter and the website. Have you looked at the OWSD website lately- WOW- Judy Austad and Charon Geigle have worked hard to bring the website up to date. Check it out for upcoming classes, dates for the annual kayak trip, BOW dates, and monthly meetings in your area of the state.
Have a wonderful time with your family this summer- make some memories that will last you a lifetime! Please note- the newsletter will be going on the email status next month- please make sure that OWSD has your current email address and update OWSD if you change it so that you continue to get the newsletter.
Thank you-

Have fun in the sun-

May Schaefer,

President of OWSD