ZUNI, NM (Aug. 29, 2024) — For its 16th consecutive year, the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project brought 120 children ages 6-12 together with 18 counselors ages 16-24 for a transformative Summer Camp experience centered on learning, wellness, fun and cultural connection. This year’s camp ran from July 8 to 26, concluding with a final celebration at Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School that showcased the campers’ traditional social dances and artwork for family and friends, as well as healthy refreshments and snacks from the ZYEP Food Sovereignty team.
“Everyone gave it their all, making this one of the smoothest Summer Camp experiences I’ve been a part of,” said Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, ZYEP’s youth development coordinator. “Our 16th Annual Summer Camp is an example of how far ZYEP has come, what we’re able to provide to our community, and how much we can offer to our children and youth leaders in the summer. I am looking forward to lucky number 17 — and a huge thanks to the Zuni Public School District for providing facilities, transportation and food for camp!”
Rani Yamutewa, who co-organized this year’s Summer Camp with Zunie, agreed it was a smooth process. She said the team was dedicated to bringing simple, meaningful summer fun to the community’s young people, and the “Dream, Believe, Achieve” theme resonated with the adults as well.
“When you never had the chance to experience Summer Camp as a ZYEP camper, you get to make your dreams come true as a coordinator,” she said with a smile. “Kiki and I, and the whole team, threw our hearts into Summer Camp.”
Made possible with support from the Zuni Public School District, Zuni Education and Career Development Center, National Recreation Foundation, Outdoor Equity Fund, MeowWolf Foundation, 7th Generation Fund, Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance, Nike, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, New Mexico Department of Health’s Healthy Kids Healthy Communities and New Mexico Behavioral Health Services Department, ZYEP’s 2024 Summer Camp incorporated nine activities: traditional art, contemporary art, nutrition, greenhouse, physical activity, life skills, Wilderness Explorers, traditional dance, and self-love.
Campers were divided into eight groups — four groups of 6- to 9-year-olds, and four groups of 10- to 12-year-olds, with two counselors per group — and rotated through all the activity areas with their groups. Additional camp highlights included a visit from Explora ABQ, which engaged kids in hands-on science activities related to wind and electricity; and Fun Fridays, which allowed the older campers to visit El Morro National Monument, the Zuni Senior Center, KSHI Radio, Zuni Food Distribution and local parks while the younger campers learned paper mache, bracelet and keychain making, and soap carving.
In post-camp surveys, the children said they wanted to sign up for camp so they could have fun, see friends, play sports, get out of the house and “not be bored this summer.” They also mentioned a few of their favorite things, including Zuni dancing, being with friends, making new friends, free time on the playground, Wilderness Explorers with Mr. Mikey (Owaleon), and the camp store.
“My favorite thing about Summer Camp was doing fun stuff and Zuni class, because I got to learn new things,” said Robyn Banteah, a first-time camper in the 6- to 9-year-old age group.
The kids’ post-camp surveys, however, reveal an even deeper impact. For example, 77 percent of campers reported they feel they have someone to look up to, which is a 6 percent increase from the pre-camp surveys.
Sixty-three percent reported regularly engaging in physical activities they find enjoyable, a 8.5 percent increase. Approximately 75 percent expressed enjoyment in caring for a garden, a number that surged by an impressive 20 percent.
In addition, art and culture clearly were major influences. Sixty-five percent of campers said they enjoy getting to do Zuni dances, a nearly 6 percent increase; and 73 percent said they enjoy making art, also a nearly 6 percent increase.
“Like the saying goes, kids are like sponges,” said Kallen Quetawki, who served as traditional art activity leader at Summer Camp. “I’m happy to know that the Zuni youth will carry the Zuni culture through the form of art.”
Summer Camp also had a strong impact on the 18 young counselors. Eighty percent reported that it was a fun experience, 80 percent said they felt ZYEP’s counselor training prepared them for camp, and 100 percent said they see ZYEP staff and instructors as role models.
“I experienced immense joy and learned a lot about the diverse mindsets of the kids,” said first-time counselor Keely Bobelu. “I discovered that setting clear boundaries and being intentional with them greatly influenced our daily activities. My favorite memory is the obstacle-course race we did during our physical activity time. It was exciting to run and race against each other.”
She also noted that the counselor training retreat on June 15-17 was a great experience. This year’s counselors spent time at Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp in Thoreau, New Mexico, on the edge of the Zuni Mountains; they also had opportunities to visit Chaco Canyon National Historical Park and El Morro National Monument.
“Teaching self-love in camp this year was the best part of my summer,” said Eliana Lowsayatee, who served as self-love activity leader. “This experience was everything to me, because I got to experience how it would be in a classroom environment. It made me even more sure that I want to come back to Zuni and teach our youth.”
Families also reported a successful Summer Camp experience. They reported that their children had a good time, developed their self-confidence, improved their overall health, became more physically active, made new friends, and gained positive role models.
“ZYEP was a great outlet to enjoy the outdoors, make new friends or reconnect (with old ones), and keep in touch with our culture,” one parent said in a post-camp survey. “It’s a great program that I believe many kids look forward to each year.”
“Thank you for supporting the children,” another parent wrote, noting that their campers came home each day talking about new experiences and demonstrating increased confidence with speaking the Zuni language. “Please keep this program alive and open every summer.”
Laura Leekela, guardian of three campers, said her grandsons especially enjoyed dancing at Summer Camp.
“They view the end-of-camp livestream (on YouTube) nearly every other day,” she shared. “Thank you for all that you provide for the kids.”
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.
