Summer Youth Corporation

When we end each summer at Summer Youth Corporation's Dló̜ó̜' Yázhí Day Camp, we remind children that camp will always be there for them. We have made that promise for 5 summers, and we intend to keep it as we head into our 6th season.

Navajo Nation has been highlighted on the news as the pandemic hits the community especially hard. As the Navajo Nation and relief organizations work to tackle the crisis, the camp team has been discussing what our role will be this summer.

Dló̜ó̜' Yázhí Day Camp was founded to foster the balanced development of young people and support mental health. Though the pandemic inevitably changes how we do that, it doesn't change our commitment to campers and to their wellbeing. 

Our very first season, we operated out of boxes. We brought supplies into the Thoreau Community Center in containers, and we packed them up at the end of each day. We are reaching back to our roots: This year, campers will receive a delivery of... CAMP IN A BOX!

Each household will receive a family box with general supplies necessary for camp activities. Each camper will also receive an age-specific box. Kids will open the box to find they have everything they need to do arts and crafts, games, sports, cooking, science, and more - just as they would at camp! 

In addition, campers will receive letters from staff and camp-branded gear to ensure they feel connected to their camp community.  

                                            Here's how you can help:

Sponsor a family box:
$100

Sponsor a camper box:
$150

Sponsor a kit:
Art kit - $55
Sports kit - $35
Science kit - $30
Cooking kit - $20
Personal gear - $10

We are incredibly grateful for your support. Thank you for guaranteeing that our campers continue to experience the magic of camp no matter what!

Dló̜ó̜' Yázhí Day Camp is proud to be heading into its 6th summer of operation in 2020. Thanks to camp's supporters, we have 5 years of memories, songs, games, friendships, and laughter under our belts. 

Camp was founded in 2015 for children in and around Thoreau, NM on Navajo Nation. Our campers build resilience, connectedness, and self-esteem in the most joyful way possible! Every day consists of games, sports, crafts, nature exploration, songs, reflection, and more. When you donate to camp, you're investing in our campers and staff, and contributing to a cycle of leadership in the Thoreau Community. We keep camp free for all campers, and provide transportation and food to help make it an equitable and positive experience for our kiddos.

Thank you for your support! Ahéhée'! 

Here's how your donation contributes to camp:
$2000 = Sponsors a Counselor to lead one of our camp crews 
$1500 = Sponsors our entire Counselor-In-Training Program
$1000 = Covers the cost of art supplies for the entire summer!
$500 = Covers camp's cooking/nutrition activity budget (yum!)
$100 = Sends one of our groups bowling for the day 
$25 = Sends a camper on our rock climbing excursion
$15 = Funds camper snacks for a day  
$ 5 = Buys a camper a T-shirt to tie dye!

Each summer at SYC camp, kids come to practice balanced living in a fun-filled setting. Summer Youth Corporation is a small non-profit summer camp that serves 50 children from on or around Navajo Nation in Thoreau, NM. In Season 4 of camp, our oldest campers will be embarking on a longer backpacking trip while our in-camp campers will be participating in our regular camp routines with special rock climbing, adventure day, and camping trips. While campers attend camp for free, part of SYC's mission also includes offering well-paying positions to our hardworking staff members. Let's make Season 4 of SYC the best summer yet!

Please consider giving at any level!

$2,000 Pays the salary of one of our amazing counselors
$800 Covers the cost of a child's camp experience
$500 Pays for in-camp and trip food for campers
$40 Sponsors a camper for an in-camp day
$15 Sponsors a child on a special outing

Summer Youth Corporation is a nonprofit organization that runs a small summer day camp with free programming for children whose opportunities to explore art, music, physical education, culture, and science may be limited in their local schools. The summer camp is designed to provide children on and around Navajo Nation with opportunities to experience success in a multitude of areas, promoting the mental, physical, social, and reflective development of each child so that he or she may discover and develop his or her own potential.

All donations will go directly towards:
-Staffing
-Programming
-Purchasing supplies and materials

We are now beginning preparations for our THIRD SUMMER OF SYC!

Please help us make camp worthy of our amazing campers.



Thank you so much for all your support. You put the smiles on these faces. We promise our campers are the best kids in the world. Give them a chance and they'll prove it to you.

Visit SYC at our website to learn more!