Affordable Adventures was started in 1991 by Carol and Doug Cameron. Some of their first tours were to the Dances with Wolves filming areas. They expanded the business to include several other areas of interest in the Black Hills with set itineraries and custom van tour packages as well as receptive and step-on guide services for motorcoach groups. The narrated tours featured history, geology and local lore and information. Upon their retirement Ann and Lin Thompson purchased the business, striving to carry on the high standards set by the Camerons.

Ann Delicate Thompson grew up in the Black Hills and has spent a majority of her time living and working here. She has a Business Management degree from the University of Wyoming. Her father, Don Delicate, worked for Homestake Mining Company for 31 years, retiring as the General Manager of the mine. Her paternal grandfather had a bank in Custer for 56 years and both parents grew up in Custer. Her great-grandfather arrived in the Hot Springs area in 1879 and helped establish the town. Ann enjoys history and loves to share the wonderful Black Hills of South Dakota with others. She has conducted narrated tours since 2001 with her extensive knowledge and personal stories, which add fun and excitement to her tours. Ann’s warmth and sense of humor make each excursion a day to remember.

Lin Thompson is a native of Yankton, South Dakota, located in the southeast corner of the state where his family owned several businesses. He attended Black Hills State College and graduated with a degree in Tourism and a Business degree from Sioux Falls University. He has been conducting narrated tours of the Black Hills for several years since retiring from the South Dakota Army National Guard and has a wonderful knowledge of the history of South Dakota and the area. Lin’s calm spirit and ease of visiting with people make his tours fun and exciting.

As the business has grown Ann and Lin have recruited additional guides, all chosen for their knowledge of the area and their enthusiasm for sharing it. The Thompsons take great care in matching individual guides to booked tours, so you can be assured you’re getting the best guide available for your group and itinerary. The experienced staff represents a cumulative total of 150 years of experience guiding Black Hills tours.

The customer experience is of utmost importance to all at Affordable Adventures, and it shows.

Ann was also awarded the the 2023 Ruth Ziolkowski Outstanding Hospitality & Customer Service Award, presented by the Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association.

The Ruth Ziolkowski Outstanding Hospitality & Customer Service Award recognizes members of the tourism industry who, like Ruth Ziolkowski, have demonstrated remarkable service to every visitor they encounter, and whose work demonstrates an outstanding spirit of hospitality, warmth and genuine kindness.

An individual from each of the four tourism regions is honored annually. The recipients are selected by each region’s board of directors.