ZUNI, NM (July 29, 2024) — The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project served 149 children ages 6-12 during its annual Wellness Week this summer. The popular four-day summer program took place on June 24-27 at various locations in the Pueblo of Zuni, including Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School, ZYEP / Ho’n A:wan Park, A:shiwi Tribal College and Zuni Wellness Center.
During Wellness Week, Zuni youth participated in seven “mini-camp” activities organized by ZYEP staff and activity leaders. The activities included basketball, soccer, biking, volleyball, football, art and Shiwi Chefs, which is a cooking activity.
“Our leaders focused on skill-building activities with an emphasis on teamwork,” said Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, ZYEP’s youth development coordinator. “And, children who participated in the same activities last year had opportunities to lead some of the drills.”
Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School was ground zero for three of the physical activities. Jordan Lewis led basketball with 29 registered children, Alex Delcampo led soccer for 20, and Gallup-based Silver Stallion Bicycle and the nationwide Little Bellas mountain-bike mentoring organization led the biking activity for 19.
“We received a lot of positive feedback from the children,” Zunie said. “For example, the biking kids did not want to turn in their bikes on the last day! They enjoyed the activity so much that the leaders from Silver Stallion and Little Bellas are hoping to return sometime soon.”
The other activities also received rave reviews, according to feedback collected by Rani Yamutewa, youth development leader.
“It was good,” said Jazmine Haskie, 6, of basketball. “I learned new basketball tricks, and I liked playing sharks and minnows.”
Soccer player Sienna, 8, said, “I liked all the games we played, and I liked the counselors. I remember Mia and Jada helping me with games I really wanted to play.”
“Despite the heat, the soccer kids and leaders shared many moments of laughter,” Zunie noted. “They were supportive of one another when it came to break time, and they had fun playing the Zombie Soccer game.
Rhonda and Kevin Johnson, Miss Zuni Keia Gasper and the ZYEP Physical Activity team led volleyball for 28 registered children at the Zuni Wellness Center. Koi Zunie, Koby Lementino and ZYEP Food Sovereignty Specialist Zach James led football for 21 at Ho’n A:wan Park.
Not all activities involved sports, however. The ZYEP Art team led the dedicated art activity for 20 registered children at Ho’n A:wan Park, while the ZYEP Food Sovereignty team led Shiwi Chefs at A:shiwi Tribal College.
Eighteen counselors ages 16-24 supported ZYEP staff and activity leaders throughout Wellness Week. This hands-on experience proved valuable as they prepared for the start of ZYEP’s 16th annual Summer Camp, which started July 8 and concluded on Friday, July 26.
As Zunie explained, the youth project’s summer programs aren’t just about learning specific skills. They also are about social interaction and relationship building between the children, the counselors and the activity leaders; both Wellness Week and Summer Camp provide important access to a wide variety of positive role models and mentors, many of whom were once campers themselves.
“Highlights always include interactions with the children, funny moments throughout the week, and witnessing the counselors’ growth and leadership journeys as they carried out their activities,” Zunie said.
ZYEP’s Wellness Week and Summer Camp are made possible with support by the Zuni Public School District, Zuni Education and Career Development Center, A:shiwi Tribal College, Zuni Wellness 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 Healthy Kids Healthy Communities, New Mexico Behavioral Health Services Department, and countless individual donors 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.
