ZUNI, NM (Aug. 31, 2023) — This summer, the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project hosted its 15th annual Summer Camp, a signature youth program that dates to the nonprofit organization’s 2009 founding. This year’s four-week camp served 120 campers ages 6-12 at Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School, and recent ZYEP surveys indicate the experience was a resounding success.
Held from June 26 to July 21, ZYEP’s Summer Camp was made possible with support by the Zuni Public School District, Zuni Education & Career Development Center, Con Alma Foundation, National Recreation Foundation, New Mexico Foundation, Outdoor Equity Fund, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Vadon Foundation, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Sustaining Humanities through the American Rescue Plan in partnership with the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums.
Nearly three-quarters of campers’ families responded to the anonymous surveys. More than 94 percent said their child had fun at camp, and more than 96 percent said the program connected their child with positive role models and mentors.
When asked what they appreciated most about Summer Camp, one parent said, “When my kids would come home with new facts.” They reported that their children absorbed a variety of Zuni history and culture lessons at camp.
Another parent said they loved “hearing my child talk about how much fun they had.”
The vast majority of campers agreed that Summer Camp was great fun, with 58 percent reporting that Traditional Social Dance was their favorite activity. In addition, 51 percent said they are more comfortable speaking the Zuni language after this year’s camp.
Indeed, ZYEP’s Summer Camp is designed to help strengthen local children’s connection to culture, with Zuni language and culture incorporated into a broad range of activities. This year, the theme tying it all together was “Purpose.”
“Our intentions going into Summer Camp were to ensure the 15th year would be an unforgettable experience, and I think we did it!” said Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, ZYEP’s youth development coordinator and Summer Camp co-coordinator. “ We’ll continue to set the foundation for future leaders, who will carry our message of ‘Purpose’ forward.”
“We will continue to build upon that foundation to benefit our youth and equip them with lifelong skills,” agreed Dylan Solomon Jr., a ZYEP food sovereignty leader who co-coordinated this year’s camp with Zunie. “After all, ZYEP was created for them.”
This year’s Summer Camp included art, sports, indoor and outdoor games, nutrition education, hiking, and so much more. Campers were split into eight groups, with 15 campers per group; the program’s 21 counselors, ages 16-24, also divided into groups of two or three to work closely with the children.
The groups rotated through eight activities: Greenhouse, led by Zachary James and Arthur Lanyate; Nutrition, led by Brittny Seowtewa, Kenzi Bowekaty, Khass Hattie and Kailin Quam; Contemporary Art, led by Keith Edaakie and Leanne Lee; STEM, led by Norene Lonasee; Physical Activity, led by Tyler Sice and Esther Siutza; Traditional Social Dance, led by Mangaysha Kallestewa, Cyrus Lutse, Allen Kallestewa and Kanisha Panteah; and Connect to Land, a new focus area for this year, led by Enric Tsalate and Thomas Zunie.
Campers also were able to enjoy the ZYEP Camp Store and free time while connecting and building relationships with counselors, activity leaders and staff. What’s more, the group celebrated three “Friday Fundays” with special activities.
The Friday Fundays were organized into two age groups, 6- to 9-year-olds and 10- to 12-year-olds. The younger children enjoyed Zumba sessions with Tara Wolfe, ZYEP’s program manager; participated in arts and crafts and a parachute activity at Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School; and visited the KSHI radio station, Zuni Food Distribution program, and Zuni Game & Fish program’s eagle sanctuary.
Meanwhile, the older children hiked the Great Kivas and local Wolf Trail, and they enjoyed water filtration and iridescent butterfly activities with Explora ABQ. They also participated in arts and crafts, played outdoors, and watched movies with their classroom pods.
In addition, the older group spent time at the Zuni Senior Center. During this memorable visit, they played a guessing game in Shiwi’ma (Zuni).
“This was amazing,” Wolfe said. “It opened the doors for the youth, mentors and elders to connect on the use and teaching of the Zuni language.”
The final Camp Celebration took place on Wednesday, July 19, with campers performing the Corn Dance, Comanche Dance, Buffalo and Deer Mix, and Butterfly Dance. At the end, a Harvest Dance brought campers, counselors and community members together.
More than 80 families attended the event, including ZPSD board members, ZYEP board members, and Zuni royalty. Attendees had opportunities to enjoy the Food Sovereignty Team’s concession stand with healthy snacks, look through the activity leaders’ scrapbooks and photos, and view artwork made by the campers.
The last official day of Summer Camp was Friday, July 21, and ZYEP commemorated the occasion with Field Day. The children enjoyed games like tug-of-war, parachutes, chalk art and basketball, as well as spend time together on the playground.
Counselors and coordinators provided a farewell send-off to their campers, and ZYEP’s 15th annual Summer Camp came to an end. Three days later, the counselors reconvened for an official debriefing session, with lunch catered by Major Market Inc.
The counselors reflected on their June in-house training sessions and counselor retreat, their camp highlights and challenges, and how the skills they developed can be applied to future endeavors. This gave them a valuable opportunity to reflect on their own sense of purpose.
In their anonymous surveys, counselors shared their joy in building connections with campers and each other. One counselor said, “Thank you for providing me with this opportunity. I loved this.”
“Thank you guys for everything you do for us,” another shared. “We greatly appreciate everything… all the planning, checking on us, making sure our campers were good also. Your hard work will not go unnoticed. Thank you for the support, and the chance.”
Solomon said he found himself feeling reflective as well. He spent four years as a camp counselor and two years as a lead camp counselor before stepping into his current co-coordinator role.
“This was a pivotal Summer Camp in the sense that I grew alongside our counselors and my fellow coordinators,” he said. “I discovered so much about myself. My knowledge of — and love and passion for —Summer Camp has been strengthened.”
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09)
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
