More than 230 youth gathered July 13–16 in Chinle, Arizona, Navajo Nation, for the 2026 NativeVision & Hózhó Horizons Sports and Life Skills Summer Camp. Hosted by the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health in partnership with Chinle Unified School District, the camp featured basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, kickball, arts and crafts, mental health and life skills activities, language and cultural teachings, and community service projects.
Throughout the week, youth made new friends, tried new activities, and built skills in teamwork, leadership, resilience, healthy living, while expanding their cultural connections.
Due to federal funding cuts to teen pregnancy prevention programs, we relied on emergency funds from a generous Anonymous couple to ensure camp could continue as planned this year. The cuts resulted in a funding gap of approximately $550k/year for Hózhó Horizons over the next two years ($1.1M total). We are actively seeking opportunities to fill this gap. In the meantime, CIH emergency funds help us stay nimble in the face of uncertainty and keep our promises to youth and families.
A big Ahéhee’ (Navajo for “Thank You”) to our camp directors—Kristin Mitchell, Barbara Harvey, Brittany Begay, Marlena Hammen, Vanessa Begaye, and Marissa Begay—for their leadership and dedication. We also extend our gratitude to all the youth, staff, coaches, facilitators, volunteers, and community partners who helped make this camp a success! And, finally, to our donors who stepped up after the funding crisis to keep our promises to the youth who had signed up for this year’s camp!
