Native American Academic Summer Program

Dear Friends:

At the time of our last report summer had just arrived and with it came Summer Camp season!  The majority of summer’s adventures concluded earlier, but there was one last blowout to be enjoyed with NAAF hosting its 2^nd Annual O’odham Camp from July 8^th through July 12th.

Camp was held as planned with NAAF hosting in collaboration with the GuVo District Office. Originally camp enrollment was targeted at 30, but 58 youth ended up registering to attend. Camp followed a half day schedule of activities that centered around O'odham Himdag teachings and activities, such as popover making, clay making, traditional songs and dance and traditional games.

A highlight of the camp occurred on day two with a trip to the Tohono O’odham Nation’s Cultural Center and Museum located in Topawa, Arizona. The center is a 38,000 square foot modern facility, on 30 acres of pristine desert, that is dedicated to “preserving and promoting the culture and heritage of the Tohono O’odham people.”  Center Staff led campers on a tour of the center’s cultural exhibitions, to help them learn more about their history and gain a deeper understanding of O’odham “himdag”, as well as help to hone the  groups amazing painting skills.

All-in-all, it was a fun and enriching way to help bring the Summer Camp season to a close, but just because all of this year’s camps concluded that didn’t mean all the summer fun had to end too.  Back in April NAAF received a grant to bring books featuring Native American authors, illustrators and characters into the District. It then was then fortunate enough to secure a second grant from the Nora Roberts Foundation which it is used to promote summer reading. 

Under NAAF’s “Summer Reading Challenge”, NAAF partnered with The Store to incentivize youth reading over the summer months. The Challenge’s basic structure was that for every 8 books a child read they would receive a prize voucher redeemable at The Store.  Youth filled out reading logs to track their reading and anyone who successfully read 8 books earned a $10.00 voucher redeemable at The Store. Then as they continued to read more and more books, they were able to earn greater and greater incentives.

It is never as exciting when summer ends than when it begins, but while it lasted District youth were able to enjoy a summer full of new discoveries and adventures. We can’t wait until next year to do it all over again and are sure the kiddos can’t either.

Links:

• Campers take a trip to the TON Cultural Center & Museum