About Bear Country USA

Community Service

As a general rule, Bear Country U.S.A. cannot take animals from the wild. However, there have been some exceptions. Often a state Fish and Game Department will call the park because they have a young orphaned animal that will be destroyed if they cannot find a home. Bear Country U.S.A. can take these young animals because there is still time to expose them to humans. Several Bear Country residents come from these benevolent transactions.

Bear Country USA serves the greater Black Hills community on the premises by offering discounted admission for local school groups during the month of May. During the off-season our staff also visit classrooms with biofacts: furs, antler, track molds and casts free of charge.

Bear Country USA chooses to support area programs and organizations which benefit children and families in the Black Hills with both in-kind and cash donations. While the list below is far from exhaustive, three major philanthropies of our's include Children's Care Rapid City, Behavior Management Systems Parade of Trees, and Dream Night at Bear Country USA.

Children's Care Rapid City

From mild learning, behavioral, or physical challenges to intensive medical rehabilitation, the Children's Care staff of approximately 450 includes physicians; nurses; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; teachers; psychologists; a dietician; and more - all specializing in the special needs of children. Bear Country USA proudly donated $10,000 for the groundbreaking of their Rapid City facility and continues to support the organization through various means.

Behavior Management Systems

Today over 9,000 people from a 20,000 square mile area rely on Behavior Management Systems to help them cope with the stresses of life. Bear Country USA proudly supports the organization's core vision: building positive change among ourselves and the communities where we live, work, and play. Proceeds from all Festival of Trees activities go to help Behavior Management Systems provide services in five areas:

• Children with serious emotional and behavioral problems.
• Adults with major mental illness.
• Suicide intervention.
• Crisis stabilization.
• A substance abuse treatment and prevention program for pregnant women and women with children.

Dream Night at Bear Country USA

Bear Country USA is one of over 150 zoological parks from 70 countries around the globe that participate in this special event that deeply touches the lives of many people year after year – Dream Night. Dream Night at Bear Country USA is a private, invitation-only event held specifically for families with children that are chronically ill or have special needs. While families focus their time money and emotional resources on the treatment of their ill or special needs child, siblings can feel marginalized and there is less opportunity for family fun. Dream Night focuses on the entire family and does not require them to put forth 1 cent of their precious financial resources for a truly memorable evening. This event is coordinated with help from the Rapid City Police Department, The Rapid City Fire Department, and Children's Care as well as numerous Black Hills area businesses and family attractions.

Other community organizations and events that we have supported in the past include:

• Rapid City Club for Boys
• Spearfish Spartans Booster Club
• Black Hills Community Theater
• Youth and Family Services
• Rapid City Festival of Presidents
• Zonta Club of the Black Hills
• Rushmore Hockey Association
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Peace Officers Association
• Cobbler Kids Wrestling
• Muscular Dystrophy Association
• Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department
• Church Response
• KOTA Care and Share Food Drive
• CASA
• Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
• Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• March of Dimes
• Race for the Cure