From their home in Rock Hill, SC, Don and Teena Lykins went on a week long mission trip to the Lake Traverse Reservation in northeast South Dakota in the year 2000. During that trip they helped run Vacation Bible School at a small church in Enemy Swim Village near Waubay, SD. It was there that Don first experienced a call on his life.

Dakota Sonshine was founded as a non-profit organization in 2001 and is dedicated to reaching out to the Native American people by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through relationship evangelism and through their annual summer camp program. They host missions projects for churches and host groups for local missions outreach annually. A church plant was started in 2020 to increase their outreach and create a place for the families of campers to attend as they continue to grow in their faith.

The team consists of their family which includes Don, Teena, Jared and his wife, Rachel, plus two children, Charlotte and Micah, Elizabeth, Samuel, and Abby and her husband, Norm. Don and Teena co-direct the ministry with Don in charge of fundraising, construction teams, building maintenance and serving as the Pastor, and Teena in charge of administration.

Each summer they offer 6 weeks of camp to the local children who typically live in poverty and are considered a high risk population. They host up to 28 children, 14 girls and 14 boys, each week from Tuesday through Friday. Campers experience activities such as horseback riding, a climbing wall, low ropes, 2 ziplines, waterslide, tomahawks, archery, airsoft rifle range, gym games and other outdoor activities. Campers attend for $5 per child. They fundraise year round for sponsorships to cover the cost of camp which is approximately $90 per camper or a total of $2500 per camp. An average of 20-30 campers come to Christ each summer and since many are repeat campers they have the opportunity for discipleship each summer.

Dakota Sonshine serves the community through several different programs. They have an annual Winter Warm Up coat drive, they have delivered food to those in need and they have assisted families during crisis situations such as home fires, etc. They have also provided baby clothes, blankets and diapers to the local child protection agency as well. Each summer they host summer mission teams who go into the tribal housing for outreach. Lastly, they offer one on one discipleship to those struggling with identity, addictions and other personal issues.

For more information about the Lykinses and their ministry with Dakota Sonshine:

Email: dakotasonshineministry@gmail.com

Website: www.campdakotasonshine.org