Thunderhead
Episcopal Center
Since its founding, Thunderhead Episcopal Center has been a sanctuary for those seeking a deeper connection with God through the untamed beauty of the Black Hills. What began as a vision of rest and spiritual renewal—rooted in its early days as a dude ranch—has grown into a vibrant diocesan camp and retreat center shaped by prayer, perseverance, and community.
Thunderhead Episcopal Center has served the Diocese of South Dakota for generations. TEC is more than a camp — it is sacred ground where young people discover who they are and whose they are.
About Thunderhead Episcopal Center (TEC)
Our Core Values
Radical Welcome
Radical Welcome means we strive to mirror God's own hospitality, creating a sanctuary where all—no matter where they are on their journey—feel a deep sense of belonging and kinship. We open our hearts and this land to everyone who seeks peace.
Our Core Values
Leadership Development
We believe everyone has unique gifts to offer the world. At Thunderhead, we provide the space and mentorship for emerging leaders—youth and adults alike—to find their voice and lead with courage, humility, and grace, rooted in service to others.
Our Core Values
Stewardship of Creation
At Thunderhead, the earth is not just a backdrop; it is a sacred gift. We walk gently upon this land, tending to the soil and preserving the wilderness so that every person who enters these woods might meet God in the wide open. Our commitment to creation is a rooted practice of deep rest and radical stewardship.
Our Core Values
Faith Formation
Through shared worship, reflection, and the quiet awe of the wilderness, we nurture the spiritual lives of our guests. We provide a breathing space for seekers of all ages to cultivate a lasting and deeply personal relationship with the Divine amid the pines.
Our Core Values
Community Across Differences
Life at camp teaches us the beauty of our shared humanity. We bring together people from diverse cultural, social, and spiritual backgrounds to live, work, and pray as one community, bridging gaps and building a legacy of mutual understanding.
Staff
Canon Sierra Gore Kacher
Canon for Thunderhead Episcopal Center & Diocesan Youth Ministries
Sierra Gore Kacher leads our youth initiatives with a focus on faith formation and radical hospitality. Growing up in the Episcopal tradition, she brings a deep love for the outdoors and a commitment to creating transformative experiences for children and counselors alike in the sacred landscape of the Black Hills.