ZUNI, NM (June 27, 2025) — Ahead of its Wellness Week and 17th Annual Summer Camp serving 120 Zuni children, the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project provided an intensive counselor training and retreat experience for 20 young adults on June 9-20. Wellness Week took place on June 23-26, and Summer Camp is scheduled for June 30-July 25.
The counselors participated in five days of training with ZYEP and community partners, a three-day retreat at Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp and Mt. Taylor, and four additional training days at ZYEP. The training included a significant focus on Zuni language.
“This year, our Summer Camp theme is Ho’n Ya’yuwanik’do:wa, which translates to ‘We will give it our best,’” explained Rani Yamutewa, ZYEP’s youth development leader and co-organizer of the Wellness Week and Summer Camp programs. “We asked ourselves how we could level up the Summer Camp program. We determined we needed to be really intentional with our planning, training and implementation of Shiwi’ma (Zuni language).
“During the training, we acknowledged the importance of our leaders being willing to learn, speak and practice the Zuni language,” she continued. “Sometimes our young people worry about making mistakes or mispronouncing words, so we encouraged them to ask for guidance. ZYEP is here to help.”
Of the 20 counselors, eight are returning from previous Summer Camp experiences. Twelve are new to ZYEP leadership roles but have participated in the Zuni-led youth project’s Summer Camp, sports leagues or art apprentices over the years. Two experienced counselors will serve as lead counselors, providing valuable support to all counselors and coordinators through the busy weeks of youth programming.
“This year’s group of counselors is unique, with a lot of new faces,” Yamutewa said. “We are excited to support them on their leadership journeys and offer them what we hope is an elevated Summer Camp experience!”
The counselors kicked off their training on June 9-10 with CPR and First Aid, with instruction provided by Zuni Fire and EMS. Then, on June 9-13, the group learned about ZYEP policies, procedures and code of conduct with Operations Manager Josh Kudrna; engaged in fun ice-breaking activities with the ZYEP Physical Activity team; received a cultural competency overview with the ZYEP Art team; participated in a food demonstration led by the ZYEP Food Sovereignty team, after which they all enjoyed black bean burgers; and learned a few mindfulness practices with Dr. Tom Faber, ZYEP’s founder.
Then, on June 14-16, the counselors headed for Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp for the annual ZYEP Counselor Retreat. Founded in 1926, the program purchased the basecamp property on the edge of the Zuni Mountains in 1935, and it has hosted generations of outdoor leaders.
On the first day, the group traveled to Bluewater, New Mexico, where they got settled into their cabins, took a small trek around camp, played a few team-building games, and conducted scenario practice based on common behavioral concerns often experienced at Summer Camp. The day ended with a campfire, card games, s’mores and setting intentions for the summer.
On the second day, the counselors traveled to Mt. Taylor, where they set up tents and went hiking. On the way back to camp, the group applied a relay approach known as the Geronimo technique — the last person at the end of the long line would increase their pace and make their way to the front of the line.
“The walk was filled with encouragement,” remembered Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, ZYEP’s youth development coordinator, Summer Camp co-organizer and retreat chaperone. “The counselors verbally supported one another, and even the Cottonwood Gulch staff noticed this. They said they could hear us approaching, with cheers.”
Bedtime came early, and not only because the counselors were tired from the hike. On Day 3, they awoke at 4 a.m. to hike to the summit of Mt. Taylor, where they offered cornmeal and morning prayers.
“It was an amazing trip,” said Zachary James, ZYEP food sovereignty leader and retreat chaperone. “Continuing this annual tradition and partnering with Cottonwood Gulch is always awesome. I loved seeing the connection between the counselors. It was heartwarming to know this group is unique in its own way, and the energy they bring will make our 2025 Summer Camp one to remember!”
Upon their return to Zuni, the counselors embarked on their second week of training. This included learning about mandatory reporting with Tahlia Natachu-Eriacho, ZYEP’s executive director; receiving an overview of Wellness Week; participating in suicide prevention training with Kiki Zunie and Tara Wolfe, ZYEP’s program manager; learning about ZYEP’s discipline policy and emergency action plan; and enjoying a sweet treat with ZYEP staff at Halona Marketplace.
“Each summer is different from the last, as we re-evaluate schedules and refine our training topics,” Zunie said. “There was one less week of training this year, so we had to pack a lot into less than 10 days, yet our counselors have done an incredible job of absorbing and implementing the information they’ve been given.
“The majority are new to the program, but we can see the leadership potential in each of them,” she continued. “We also are proud of our returning counselors and how much they’ve supported their trios and pairings. We are so grateful to all of our former camp coordinators and counselors whose hard work through the years has set up this 17th group for success.”
ZYEP’s Wellness Week and Summer Camp are made possible with support from Blue Cross Blue Shield, 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), Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, Zuni Education and Career Development Center (ZECDC) and Zuni Public School District.
To provide much-needed additional support, ZYEP has launched a nationwide fundraising campaign for this summer’s Wellness Week and Summer Camp programs. To make a contribution, visit https://www.zyep.org/join-us/donate/.
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.
