Here at the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, one of our greatest hopes is that our programs inspire Zuni youth to dream bigger, believe in themselves, and achieve whatever is most meaningful to them. Over the years, our young people have told us that their experiences at ZYEP’s Summer Camp have opened the door to new dreams — and new achievements down the road.
Eliana Lowsayatee, 19, is an activity leader for this year’s Summer Camp. Born and raised in Zuni, Eliana first came to ZYEP as a camper herself in 2017.
Fast-forward to summer 2022. Eliana had just finished her junior year at Zuni High School. She decided to apply to be a counselor for Summer Camp, and the experience proved to be life-changing.
“I originally wanted to be a pediatrician,” Eliana explains. “After that summer, I knew I really wanted to go into teaching. I was only with the kids from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day, but I felt so happy while I was there. I changed my goal to becoming a preschool teacher.
“I love connecting with the littles because of the vibe they bring,” she continues. “They’re so excited to see you and be around you, and they’re so positive. It’s special to know you can have a positive impact on them at such a young age.”
Eliana graduated from ZHS in 2023, and she served as a Summer Camp counselor for a second consecutive summer. She said the two years were very important for her.
“I loved connecting with my fellow counselors and the campers,” she says. “I remember how much I liked my own counselor, Kiana, when I was a camper. She did a lot of fun activities, and I’ve even used one of her games with my own campers.”
Now returning for her third summer, Eliana is shifting gears to serve as an activity leader. Summer Camp includes nine activity areas: traditional art, contemporary art, nutrition, greenhouse, physical activity, life skills, Wilderness Explorers, traditional dance, and self-love.
Working closely with ZYEP Youth Development Leader Rani Yamutewa, who is co-coordinating this year’s camp with Youth Development Coordinator Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, Eliana will lead the self-love activity area at this year’s camp. She says the three-week curriculum is designed around the camp’s theme of “Dream, Believe, Achieve.”
“During the first week, we will be doing a ‘What Do I Want To Be?’ jersey project,” Eliana says. “The campers will create their own sports-style jerseys with their last name and favorite number on the back. On the front, they will create their vision for their future, and then share what it represents.”
During the second week, she will lead a mirror activity that gives the campers an opportunity to learn about positive affirmations and how they can effect change in terms of mental and emotional well-being. In the end, each camper will have a little mirror with their favorite affirmation.
“They can take it with them and look at it whenever they need that reassurance,” Eliana explains. “Our kids need to know how strong they are, and that they are worth something. Not all of them are hearing that in their lives.”
Finally, in the third week, the campers will enjoy a self-love graduation ceremony, complete with graduation caps and stoles. According to Eliana, the ceremony is meant to celebrate more than just the end of Summer Camp.
“We want to get them excited about moving up to the next grade, and about continuing their journey toward graduating from high school,” she explains. “We want to make it fun, celebrating their achievements.”
After camp, Eliana will be continuing her own journey, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education. In August, she will start her sophomore year at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
“Once I have my degree, I’ll come back to Zuni to teach,” she says. “I’ll take online classes after that for any continuing education I might need.”
Eliana is looking forward to being back in Zuni full-time, noting that life in Tucson came with a sizable culture shock. It also came with important lessons.
“I had never been to a city like that, so it was very different for me,” she reflects. “I missed home a lot. Here, everyone knows each other, and it’s very quiet and peaceful. The city isn’t like that, and it’s not always so friendly. Luckily, my roommate is from Zuni, and we grew up together. So we weren’t experiencing everything alone.”
Sports also proved to be a valuable tool as Eliana adjusted to life at the University of Arizona. She played volleyball all four years of high school, and she and her teammates grew quite close, so she decided to play in Tucson as well.
“I met a lot of friends that way,” she says. “It was a great way to connect with people, and it reminded me of home.”
Even in the classroom, Tucson had life-lessons to teach. Eliana, who always loved math as a high school student, discovered a new passion for English.
“While I was out there, I realized I like to write a lot,” she says. “I wrote about who I am outside Zuni — and how my perspectives have changed.”
Eliana says she can’t wait for the 16th annual Summer Camp to start. She mentored Native youth while she was in Tucson, and the experience made her miss Summer Camp and Zuni youth.
“Our kids are so special, so unique,” she says.
This past month, Eliana joined the rest of the activity leaders and this year’s counselors at ZYEP’s intensive Summer Camp training. This included CPR/First Aid training with Zuni Fire and Emergency Medical Services, an overview of ZYEP policies and procedures, “Tyler Time” group management activities, a ZYEP Food Sovereignty food demonstration — the counselors made barbecue chickpea sliders — and more.
“Back in 2022, I felt scared when I thought about working with so many kids,” Eliana reflects. “But the training taught me how to do it, and what steps to take in different situations.
“For example, I learned how to calm the kids down if they get rowdy, how to understand their emotions and behaviors, how to keep things positive, and how to resolve issues without getting upset,” she continues. “I always remember the lessons they taught us.”
As always, the counselor training also included a three-day retreat with Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions.
“We did a lot of team-building, and we really got to know each other,” Eliana says. “I liked how open everyone was. I feel really confident for this year’s camp.”
At the meet-and-greet for this year’s camp, Eliana had the opportunity to reconnect with returning campers. She says that has been a highlight of the summer.
“It made me happy to see how happy they are, especially the older kids,” she says. “They were young kids when I first knew them, and I’m getting to see them grow up. It means a lot, to see how they’ve grown, and to know they still remember me and what we did together.
“Summer Camp is such a good thing for our community,” she adds. “It’s very safe, very positive. It allows us, as older teens and young adults, to serve as role models and mentors. The kids are watching us and learning from our actions.”
When she’s not busy at ZYEP, Eliana says she enjoys spending time with her younger sister. They go on hikes or runs, often with their dog.
“It’s a good way to clear my head,” she says with a smile. “It also reminds me of why I came back to Zuni. It’s so beautiful.”