The assistant golf pro goes over the basic elements of the swing with Lakota (Sioux) students.

A two-part clinic at the Chamberlain Golf Course helped Native American students at St. Joseph’s take their interest in golf even further.

Lakota (Sioux) children at St. Joseph’s recently participated in First Tee of South Dakota, a partnership program between the South Dakota Golf Association and Wells Fargo Bank.

First Tee provided students at St. Joseph’s with a two-part clinic designed to blend the healthy activity of golf with the important responsibility of budgeting.

Students discuss problems on the budget worksheet, working with their instructor to find the answer.

Students took a lesson on the basics of golf with an assistant golf pro from Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Afterward, they headed indoors for a hands-on banking class facilitated by employees from a local Wells Fargo branch.

“We’ve been doing these clinics in the area for six years,” said Jon, Assistant Vice President for Wells Fargo Bank in Chamberlain and Lower Brule. “This is the first year we’ve been able to schedule a clinic with St. Joseph’s Indian School, and the students were very receptive.”

Designed for students ages 10-14, the banking class focused on basic budgeting. Students were given a shopping scenario, which included:

• a wish list,
• a set amount of money to spend and
• the rate of sales tax they had to take into account.

Students had to figure out which items from their list they could purchase – with sales tax included – and still remain within their budget.

After completing the budget worksheet, students learned about basic ways to begin saving money.

“This clinic reinforced many of the life skills we try to teach our students every day,” said Bryan, St. Joseph’s Rec Center Coordinator. “We encourage them to make healthy choices, including being active and finding exercise they enjoy. Golf is an excellent sport for people of all ages, and the added lesson in personal budgeting only makes this program better.”

Golf cage at St. Joseph's

An indoor golf cage at St. Joseph’s rec center, which was purchased with proceeds from the school’s 2009 charity golf tournament, has provided opportunities to practice their swing.

Proceeds from St. Joseph’s 2009 charity golf tournament were used to purchase the indoor golf cage for St. Joseph’s students.

Healthy living and life skills are important components to the lessons Native American children learn at St. Joseph’s Indian School!