ZUNI, NM (July 25, 2023) — For four days in June, multiple sites across the Pueblo of Zuni were abuzz with youthful activity as more than 200 6- to 12-year-olds played four different sports, ran, hiked, rode bikes, made art, engaged in martial arts, and learned to cook. These 10 mini-camps were part of the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project’s “Wellness Week,” a sister program to ZYEP’s four-week Summer Camp, which celebrated its 15th anniversary this year.
This year, the number of Wellness Week participants swelled to 224 — a welcome development, as Summer Camp participation is capped at 120 participants. Wellness Week allows more children to enjoy Summer Camp-style opportunities and build relationships with each other, ZYEP staff, coaches, and 21 Summer Camp counselors.
“We couldn’t do this without the collaborative support of our organizations here in Zuni, including the Zuni Public School District, Major Market, Halona Marketplace, and several tribal programs, to name a few,” said Tahlia Natachu, ZYEP’s executive director. “We worked with local chefs, coaches, counselors and so many others who are invested in the health and wellness of our youth. This year really showed me that the saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is so true and important. We are deeply grateful to our community, which came together once again to give our children so many wonderful opportunities.”
Also made possible with support by the Con Alma Foundation, National Recreation Foundation, New Mexico Foundation, Outdoor Equity Fund, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Sustaining Humanities through the American Rescue Plan in partnership with the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums, this year’s Wellness Week mini-camps included Football, led by Joe Claunch, Cody Wilson and other coaches; Volleyball, led by Ashley Gasper and Kiani Wallace; Soccer, led by coaches from the New Mexico Youth Soccer Association; and Basketball, led by Michael Owaleon Sr.
The week wasn’t all about organized team sports, however. Additional mini-camps included Wings of America, a running camp led by coaches from the Albuquerque-based Wings of America youth development program; Martial Arts, led by Dylan Vargas; Art, led by Liam Simplicio; Shiwi Chefs, led by ZYEP Food Sovereignty Leaders Britny Seowtewa and Dylan Solomon, with special guest chefs Elroy Natachu, David Tsabetsaye, Shelby Billison, Jeremy Romancito and Heather Seciwa; Connect to Land Hiking, led by ZYEP Built Environment Coordinator Enric Tsalate and Thomas Zunie; and Biking, led by coaches from Silver Stallion, a Gallup-based nonprofit.
“Wellness Week is an opportunity for us to implement and offer activities for 6- to 12-year-olds in a group setting that go beyond physicality and enhance overall wellness, such as Art and Shiwi Chefs,” explained Dylan Solomon, a ZYEP food sovereignty leader who co-organized the 2023 Summer Camp and Wellness Week programs with Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, ZYEP’s youth development coordinator. “We want to encourage educational and personal development through engaging, hands-on activities that allow our kids to grow and build new skills.
“This lies at the heart of our mission, promoting the resilience of Zuni youth so they can grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected to Zuni traditions,” he added.
Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School was ground zero for most of the activities, with the Soccer, Basketball, Wings of America and Art camps taking place at its campus. The school also was the starting point for the Biking and Connect to Land Hiking camps.
The Shiwi Chefs camp took place at A:shiwi College and Career Readiness Center, which allowed leaders, guest chefs and campers to use its culinary facilities and amenities. Martial Arts campers spent Monday, June 19 at the Twin Buttes Cyber Academy Gymnasium and then moved to the Zuni Wellness Center Gymnasium for the remaining four days of camp. The Zuni Middle School gymnasium hosted Volleyball, while ZYEP used its Ho’n A:wan Park turf field for Football.
The reaction among youth and families, Solomon said, has been overwhelmingly positive.
“They all wanted the activities to last more than a week,” he said. “The children wished to continue their projects or continue biking. We’re all looking forward to next year.”
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.
