When kids at The Outdoor Campus wanted to play with paving stones, a group of volunteers stepped in to make a difference.

Construction began earlier this spring on The Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls, a project that will expand the education facility located in Sertoma Park.

“With our expansion project starting, we removed some pavers from the previous butterfly garden to be used in the new garden area,” said Sandy Richter, community coordinator for The Outdoor Campus.

The pavers were set aside in a spot near the park’s outdoor play area to await their next purpose.

Gradually, kids started moving the pavers from their designated storage spot to a grassy area near the firepits and the playscape, and the stones took on a life of their own.

“The pavers have unexpectedly become a new feature in our playscape,” Sandy said, “being used as building blocks to create towers, forts, pathways, and numerous other creations throughout the playscape area.”

However, the movement of the pavers led to concern for the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks department’s lawnmowers.

The problem needed to be solved.

According to Sandy, the goal was to keep everyone happy: the kids could continue playing with the pavers, and the lawnmowers would have a safer and easier time in the playscape.

That’s where a group of volunteers from The First National Bank in Sioux Falls came in.

Eager volunteers

We provide full-time teammates with 12 hours of volunteer time off (VTO) each year.

The Bank’s internal Wellbeing Committee then organizes volunteer activities that teammates can sign up for, like with The Outdoor Campus.

This is the second year in a row that we have volunteered there.

First National Bank volunteers at The Outdoor Campus in 2024.

When teammates showed up for their volunteer project on June 10, 2025, they didn’t know what The Outdoor Campus team had in store for them.

“First National Bank is always such a fun group to work with,” said Paige Schultz, volunteer coordinator at The Outdoor Campus. “We appreciate how willing everyone is to jump in and help, no matter the task.”

Tasks included refreshing the stepping stump area, cutting down buckthorn and other overgrowth, and — most notably — creating a designated play area for the pavers.

“The positive attitudes and strong work ethic, even in the heat, made a big difference,” Paige said.

According to the National Weather Service, the recorded high in Sioux Falls for that day was 91° Fahrenheit.

Transforming a play area at The Outdoor Campus

With work on the playscape under way, small groups of teammates went elsewhere to complete additional projects on The Outdoor Campus grounds.

“Our nature playscape is loved by the public and requires routine refreshes and updates,” Sandy said. “One group replaced about 10 stumps in our stepping stump area and then added a fresh layer of mulch to the stepping stump circle.”

The refreshed stepping stump area.

Another group went off into the trees to cut down buckthorn with handsaws.

Buckthorn is an invasive tree in the park, but its trunks would soon serve a new purpose in the play area.

Back at the playscape, meanwhile, teammates began transforming the grassy area that had been overtaken by pavers.

The first step was to clear overgrowth out of a small cluster of trees. Then, they moved the pavers out of the grass and stacked them in a secluded area within the trees.

A brief snake sighting added some extra excitement to this part of the project.

With the pavers moved to safety, the group then opened a bale of mulch and spread it over the grass — creating what Sandy calls the “designated block area.”

The afternoon sun was blazing overhead, and the next task was to build a rock border.

The group moved large rocks, which were also remnants of the construction project, from a pile near the tool shed using a pickup and a lot of grit.

They then laid the rocks around the mulch to create a border for the area.

Finally, it was time to put the finishing touches on the new space.

Laying the buckthorn trunks across a pre-built frame, teammates created a shade tunnel to cover the sandbox area.

And just like that, the volunteers transformed the area into a new playscape where imagination could flourish.

“Our park visitors will be able to enjoy this area all year long,” Sandy said, “providing an opportunity for youth to play, create, and explore.”

With 13 volunteers and The Outdoor Campus team on hand, the group completed the project in a little under three hours.

“Every time a group comes out, we are amazed at how much they are able to accomplish in just a few short hours,” Paige said. “Their support is essential, not only for daily operations but especially for the larger projects that keep our playscape, gardens, and trails thriving.”

From paving stones to imagination

Just two days later, visitors could already see the community impact.

Some of the pavers migrated out of the trees, creating stepping paths and other structures in the new play area.

Other pavers remained in the trees but were transformed into the beginnings of a fort, as well as other small structures.

A young boy who was there playing with pavers asked his mom to take a video on her phone.

He proudly narrated for her as she recorded his new creation.

“The work of volunteers has a direct and lasting impact for our staff and for every visitor who benefits from a safer, cleaner, and more engaging outdoor space,” Paige said.

“For our organization, it means having the capacity to do more, reach more people, and create better experiences. For the community, it’s a chance to connect with nature, contribute to a shared space, and take pride in something meaningful.”

If you’re a local organization looking for dedicated volunteers with the best work ethic, reach out to request volunteers from First National Bank.

And if you’re looking for a career with an organization that gives back, check out these open positions!