ZUNI, NM (Aug. 28, 2025) — The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project closed out another unforgettable Summer Camp last month, bringing together 120 children ages 7 to 12, 20 dedicated counselors and more than a dozen community partners. The four-week program, which ran June 30 to July 25, blended culture, creativity, physical wellness, community engagement and fun—and concluded with a public celebration showcasing the campers’ traditional social dances and artwork.
Surveys reveal that the 17th Annual Summer Camp lived up to its theme: Hon Ya’yuwanik’do:wa, which means “We will give it our best.” Ninety-one percent of campers said Summer Camp was fun, which is a 10 percent jump over 2024. Beyond enjoyment, youth also reported meaningful growth in Zuni language confidence, healthy eating, water intake, physical activity and caring for a garden.
Parents and guardians agreed that this year’s Summer Camp was a resounding success, with 100 percent reporting that camp met their expectations, and 92 percent observing their children had fun. More than three-quarters also said their children made friends, were more physically active and gained confidence.
“My children learned so many cultural activities and stories,” said one parent. “For the great team of counselors, I give you a big hug for teaching my children such knowledge. I am grateful they loved every day.”
Indeed, Zuni culture activities recorded a 90 percent camper satisfaction rate, the highest ever measured in ZYEP Summer Camp history.
“Our 2025 Summer Camp will be remembered for the love, energy and care that poured into each day,” said Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, ZYEP’s youth development coordinator, who co-organized the camp with Rani Yamutewa, youth development leader. “Lifelong relationships were created, which strengthens our community. I am incredibly grateful to be part of this team, with everyone continuously giving their all for the sake of our youth. We send our heartfelt thanks to the campers, their families, our counselors, our staff and all the ZYEP partners, donors and supporters who contributed to this year’s camp. Elahkwa!”
ZYEP Executive Director Tahlia Natachu-Eriacho also expressed her gratitude, noting, “It is such a privilege to do this work for our community, and we are honored to be able to continue this powerful and healthy tradition of Summer Camp.”
A key to the camp’s success was its strong counselor-to-youth ratio. ZYEP divided campers into eight groups of 15 children with two to three counselors each, and these groups rotated through nine activity areas supported by a diverse team of community partners and activity leaders.
These included: traditional art with the ZYEP art team, supported by intern Devon Bowekaty; contemporary art with Kalil Edaakie and Ryann Cornelius, members of ZYEP’s Youth Advisory Council; nutrition with the ZYEP food sovereignty team; greenhouse with the ZYEP food sovereignty team, supported by interns Claire Booqua and Laney Melikan; physical activity with the ZYEP physical activity team; Wilderness Explorers with Michael “Mr. Mikey” Owaleon Sr.; social emotional learning with Keely Bobelu and Jasmine Bradley, ZYEP Youth Advisory Council members; traditional dance with Mangaysha Kallestewa and Cyrus Lutse; and Zuni culture with educator Willard Zunie.
In the greenhouse and kitchen, campers discovered the joy of learning to grow and nurture plants, conserve water and appreciate pollinators while also cooking colorful plant-based meals like fruit pizza, salsa and black bean burgers. Art of all kinds filled their days, from earrings, bracelets and suncatchers to superhero outfit designs, crowns and tote bags.
Outdoors, the Wilderness Explorers program invited campers to trek the land, study native plants and animals and even visit eagles at Zuni Fish & Wildlife. A counselor-led Imagination Station allowed them to create freely with clay, scrap art materials, Legos and fabrics, and in Zuni culture, they learned traditional stories, calendar teachings and language.
“My child really enjoyed learning Zuni language,” said one parent. “We also really enjoyed the stories that were told to us. I must say, the teacher did an amazing job!”
“I learned a few new things from Mr. Zunie,” added a counselor. “His stories were mind-blowing!”
Summer Camp also included Fun Fridays, an initiative that gave campers opportunities to do arts and crafts as well as take field trips to the Zuni Senior Center, Zuni Public Library, Zuni Fish & Wildlife Department, A:shiwi A:wan Museum & Heritage Center and El Morro National Monument. Campers enjoyed a unique Fun Friday on July 21, when Smokey Bear and the BIA Zuni Agency Fire Prevention Education Team visited the camp.
“When Smokey arrived, that’s the loudest the cafeteria has ever been—and also the quietest when the team shared his story,” Kiki Zunie said. “As the campers left, the fire prevention team gave them high-fives and gift bags full of Smokey Bear supplies and activities. That day was a major camp highlight.”
In their surveys, campers said Zuni culture, Wilderness Explorers and traditional art were their camp favorites, with high marks also going to free time on the playground and the Camp Store.
“At the store, campers could spend their caught-being-good tickets for prizes, and this was the year of the SpongeBob remote car!” Kiki Zunie said. “One camper’s heart was set on earning tickets for it. He worked hard and participated in everything each day. On the group’s last visit to the store, he got his car. That was a highlight for all of us.”
Many counselors had the same favorite activities as the campers. One counselor said they loved making bracelets, necklaces and earrings in traditional art as well, while another chose dance as a favorite because “I really enjoyed dancing with all my campers and watching them progress from being uncomfortable to dancing their hearts out.”
According to Rani Yamutewa, the counselors themselves are another vital component of a successful Summer Camp season.
“We had a very good group of counselors, and their hearts and energy were evident on the last day of camp,” she said. “As a ZYEP counselor, you know when you and the campers are shedding tears that friendships and core memories have been engraved on your heart.”
The counselors confirmed that they also grew through the Summer Camp experience. Nearly 80 percent strongly agreed that serving at camp gave them valuable work experience, and many said they became stronger leaders, communicators and role models in the process. One counselor shared, “My favorite part was making an impact on children’s lives and building connections with them. Seeing their smiles made me want to keep working with ZYEP.”
The 17th Annual Summer Camp came to a close on July 25 with the eagerly anticipated end-of-camp celebration at Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School. Held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the celebration gave organizers an opportunity to recognize leaders, partners, donors and families—and introduce the campers, who performed the traditional social dances they had been practicing for weeks.
Distinguished guests included the Zuni Royalty Organization, Zuni Middle School and Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School Ambassadors, and members of the Zuni Tribal Council and ZYEP Board. A special highlight was the presence of elders from the Zuni Senior Center, who had created art and played with the children on Fun Fridays.
Attired in traditional regalia, campers performed social dances such as Butterfly, Deer, Buffalo, Rainbow and Arrow for the gathered community. For those who were unable to attend, the Zuni Public School District IT department provided a YouTube livestream.
ZYEP’s Wellness Week and Summer Camp were made possible with support from the BIA Division of Forestry, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Colorado Plateau Foundation, First Nations Development Institute, McCune Charitable Foundation, National Recreation Foundation, New Mexico Department of Health’s Healthy Kids Healthy Communities, New Mexico Health Care Authority’s Behavioral Health Services Division, Newman’s Own Foundation, Nike, NoVo Foundation, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), The Schmidt Family Foundation’s 11th Hour Project, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, Zuni Education and Career Development Center (ZECDC) and Zuni Public School District.
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.
