Wings of America’s Summer Running and Fitness Camps (R&F) are designed to promote healthy lifestyle choices among American Indian youth, ages 6-18 years old. Held at schools and community centers in collaboration with local youth programs, educators and coaches, these FREE day camps underline the importance of regular exercise when many are tempted to enjoy their break in more sedentary ways. Encouraged by the fun of group games lead by high school and college-aged Native facilitators, Wings camps offer applied fitness education and a glimpse at the rich history of Native running. Every R&F camp attendee receives a small incentive (bandana) in thanks for their participation.
Sample Agenda (2022)
As successful American Indian student-athletes, Wings R&F Camp facilitators are trained at the beginning of each summer to provide a fun, safe and culturally appropriate environment for all camp participants. As peer mentors, Wings facilitators are uniquely positioned to convey messages of self-respect, self-betterment and cultural awareness. Seen as friends and role models rather than authority figures, Wings facilitators help camp participants find the inspiration they need to make a commitment to a healthy, active and culturally conscious lifestyle on their own terms.
Wings will also offer two more-immersive “Endurance Camps” for Native youth ages 12-18. These overnight camps are designed to help participants become familiar with iconic landscapes of the Navajo Nation while increasing their knowledge of running, mountain biking and trail building/maintenance. For more information about these special camps, please visit the Endurace Camp page HERE.
Full Summer Schedule (click HERE for printable .pdf)
Additional details, pre-registration links and flyers for R&F Camps are listed in chronological order below. Please note that some camps only offer onsite registration and some are not open to the public:
June 7th-8th: Santa Fe, NM; Bicentennial/Alto Park; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). In collaboration with SFPS Native American Student Services’ summer program.
June 12th-15th: Isleta Pueblo, NM; Isleta Pueblo Recreation Center; 9:00am-3:00pm. In collaboration with Isleta Pueblo’s behavioral health summer youth program. (Camp not open to general public)
June 16th: Albuquerque, NM; Singing Arrow Community Center; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). In collaboration with N.A.C.A. Out of School Time Program.
June 19th-21st: Zuni Pueblo, NM; Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School; 9:00am-12:00pm. In collaboration with Z.Y.E.P.’s summer program. (Camp not open to general public)
June 22nd-23rd: White Mountain Apache Reservation, AZ; Exact location TBA; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). In collaboration with White Mountain Apache Diabetes & Wellness Program.
June 22nd-23rd: Shiprock, NM; Shiprock High School; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). Hosted by Shiprock High School Athletics. For more information, please call (505) 977 5057.
June 26th-27th: Rehoboth, NM; Rehoboth Christian School Track/Field & “KK Gym”; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). Hosted by RCS Athletics. For more information, please call (505) 977 5057.
June 26th-27th: Mescalero, NM; Exact location TBA; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). Presented in partnership with the NM Indian Affairs Department Youth Council.
June 28th-29th: Ft. Defiance, AZ; Bee Holdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). Hosted by WRHS Athletics. For more information, please call (505) 977 5057.
July 10-11th: Chinle, AZ; Chinle High School Gym & Track/Field; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). Hosted by CUSD Athletics. For more information, please call (505) 977 5057.
July 11th-12th: Dulce, NM; Exact location TBA; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). Presented in partnership with the NM Indian Affairs Department Youth Council.
July 12th-13th: Cedar City, UT; Paiute Tribe of Utah Pow Wow Grounds; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). Presented by Four Points Health.
July 12th-13th: San Felipe Pueblo, NM; Soccer Field; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). Presented by San Felipe Pueblo Summer Youth Program. (Camp not open to general public)
July 18th-19th: Taos Pueblo, NM; Wellness Center; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am). Presented in partnership with Taos Pueblo Diabetes Program. (Camp not open to general public)
July 26th-28th: Albuquerque, NM; Exact location TBA; 9:00am-3:00pm (onsite registration from 8-9am).
The largest Running and Fitness Camp initiative has been sustained in collaboration with the Navajo Nation’s “Just Move It” program for over 15 years. COVID-19 prevented Wings from hosting camps in 2020. We returned in 2021 with a limited schedule of camps.
In the last 10 years, Wings has hosted R&F Camps with community partners in South Dakota, Oklahoma, New York, Arizona and New Mexico. We are always open to new partnerships to serve Native youth. If you think your community might benefit from hosting a Wings R&F Camp, please contact our Executive Director, Dustin Martin, (dustin@wingsofamerica.org) for more information about the possibility of training facilitators from your community.
