ZUNI, N.M. (June 24, 2026) — Blindfolded counselors moved carefully across the turf field at Ho’n A:wan Park while their partners shouted directions from the sidelines. The goal was simple: Find a loofah, toss it accurately and tag another player. But the game required more than luck, as participants had to listen closely, communicate clearly and trust one another.
The activity also reflected a larger purpose. For the young adults preparing to serve as counselors during the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project’s 18th Annual Summer Camp, the two weeks leading up to camp have been filled with lessons about teamwork, leadership and responsibility — all designed to help them create a safe, meaningful experience for the 120 children who will attend camp June 22 to July 17.
“This may seem like a simple summer work opportunity, but it’s actually so much more,” said Tahlia Natachu-Eriacho, ZYEP’s executive director. “This might be the one thing our youth get to do this summer, so we need to make it fun and powerful.”
Held June 8-18, ZYEP’s counselor training program brought together 22 young people ages 16-21. Thirteen are serving as counselors for the first time, while nine are returning to the role.
Many already have longstanding connections to ZYEP. Some participated in Summer Camp and the annual sports leagues as children. Others have been involved through art apprenticeships, garden and nutrition internships, or the Rooted in Healthy Traditions mentoring program.
According to Natachu-Eriacho, roughly three-quarters of this year’s counselors have participated in ZYEP programs outside of Summer Camp. That continuity is part of what makes the counselor program so important.
“During some of our interviews and conversations, the counselors who were campers back in the day talked about remembering the counselors they had and the great memories they made with them,” Natachu-Eriacho said. “Those relationships stay with people.”
This year’s Summer Camp theme is “Tse’mak Kokshi, Tse’mak Tsu’mme,” which translates to “good thoughts and feelings, strong thoughts and feelings.” The concept emphasizes resilience, intentionality and developing the strength to navigate life’s challenges.
ZYEP leaders approached counselor training with the same philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on activities and schedules, staff spent significant time preparing counselors to be positive role models, facilitate group experiences and create environments where children feel physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually safe.
“Our staff worked so hard at both the activity level and the admin level to make this happen,” Natachu-Eriacho said. “We are so grateful to them for everything they have done to make sure the Summer Camp experience is a great one for our youth and families.”
Training topics included mandatory reporting, incident reporting, participant discipline, emergency action procedures, cultural competency, counselor evaluations, facilitation techniques and strategies for teaching games and leading activities. Counselors also completed CPR and First Aid certification, participated in QPR suicide-prevention training and spent time building relationships through icebreakers, team-building exercises and group challenges.
“We are really focusing on getting the counselors equipped with the tools they need to be successful,” Natachu-Eriacho said. “There was a huge emphasis on preparing them for their responsibilities so they are set up for success.”
Even the daily schedule was intentional. Training sessions ran from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., mirroring the hours counselors will keep once Summer Camp begins.
This year’s training also reflects a change in approach. Historically, counselor training included an outdoor retreat before camp started. This year, ZYEP moved the retreat to the end of summer, allowing counselors to focus first on preparation and reducing the risk of burnout before campers even arrived.
“We are now focused on getting trained up during the first two weeks,” Natachu-Eriacho said. “The retreat will be a celebration after camp rather than a training event.”
Scheduled for July 20-21, the retreat will once again take place in partnership with Cottonwood Gulch and include outdoor recreation, hiking and team-building activities. For now, however, the counselors’ attention is firmly focused on the children they will serve over the next four weeks.
Natachu-Eriacho said one of the most important messages staff shared throughout training was that seemingly small moments can have lasting effects.
“The counselors are teaching and instilling healthy values that could shift the long-term narratives of the children’s lives,” she explained. “If the campers enjoy the activities we are offering, they will try to replicate them in their lives going forward.”
That belief has shaped ZYEP’s Summer Camp program for nearly two decades. This year marks the camp’s 18th season, meaning some of the earliest participants are now adults. Many of them return to support the next generation of children, creating a cycle of mentorship and leadership that continues to strengthen with each passing year.
Natachu-Eriacho understands that journey personally. She served as a Summer Camp counselor herself as a teenager and went on to work with ZYEP as youth development coordinator before taking on her current role.
This summer, she will experience another milestone: Her son will attend Summer Camp for the first time. As a parent, she admits the moment feels emotional. It also serves as a reminder of how deeply Summer Camp has become woven into the lives of Zuni families.
For the counselors now welcoming campers, that legacy rests in their hands. The games they lead, the encouragement they offer and the example they set become part of the memories the children will carry long after summer ends.
ZYEP’s 18th Annual Summer Camp is made possible through the support of the Colorado Plateau Foundation, McCune Charitable Trust, New Mexico Department of Health, New Mexico Health Care Authority’s Behavioral Health Services Division, New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund, Newman’s Own Foundation, NoVo Foundation, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Santa Fe Garden Club, Seventh Generation Fund, Zuni Education and Career Development Center, Zuni Public School District and ZYEP donors from across the country.
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.
