Providing Native Youth Summer Camp Grants since 1963!

Summer Camp Grant application period is closed for 2026.

Connected to Culture

The Association began providing grants to Native Youth Summer Camps in 1963 as a powerful way for the Association to achieve its goals: to protect sovereignty, preserve culture, educate youth and build Native Nation capacity. There is significant research that shows when young Native people are connected to their culture, they fare better mentally and emotionally than those who are not. Healthy and strong Native youth will sustain strong Native cultures and protect Native Nation sovereignty for years to come. 

​The small seed grants from the Association to Native Nations and Native-run organizations for their youth summer camps provide language preservation, cultural preservation or diabetes education, youth health and wellness education. ​

Grant Requirements

We provide funding for Native Nations and Native-run organizations that use innovative activities which intertwine the old with the new to strengthen traditional cultural knowledge and teach skills to live healthy and productive lifestyle. Applications for funding are based on the following required criteria:
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  • The camp must provide summer programming to Native Youth up to 18 years of age and be inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ2S+ Native youth;
  • The program must include education on diabetes prevention, nutrition, physical fitness and/or other health and wellness topics;
  • The program should include education on culture, language and community advocacy;
  • The program should involve Native Elders and/or have active community involvement; and
  • The camp must follow safety and security protocols and procedures to protect and care for the youth and Elders, including maintaining social distancing and mask wearing when needed, and provide education for hand washing, and how infectious disease can spread. 

Support and Join

Our Summer Camp funding is dependent upon the generosity of our donors. Funding may vary from year to year, therefore funding is not guaranteed. Please consider supporting Native Youth Summer Camps and our Next Generations work by making a donation or by becoming a member for just $25 a year or $500 for a lifetime.​

2026 Native Youth Summer Camp Grants Awarded

We are excited to announce the Native Youth Summer Camps Grant awardees for 2026:
  • Youth Warrior Circle, hosted by San Jose Black Berets in Aptos, California
  • Cyaʕmílx Culture Camp, hosted by The Nature Immersion Program in Okanogan, Washington
  • Menominee Youth Culture Camp, hosted by Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin in Wayka Creek, Wisconsin 
  • Arapaho Language Revival Summer Camp, hosted by Indigenous Youth Voices in Granby, Colorado
  • Summer Sunkawakan (Horse) Cultural Camp, hosted by Sinte Gleska Univ. Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi in Mission, South Dakota
  • Onward Learning, hosted by Onward Learning in Martin, South Dakota
  • Rappahannock Youth Summer Camp, hosted by Rappahannock Tribe in Indian Neck, Virginia
  • Wakanyeja Wana Ku Pi (Bring the Children Home) to our Sacred Sites, hosted by Cheyenne River Youth Project in Sturgis, South Dakota
  • Camp Qay'tl'et, hosted by Lummi Nation Health Center Behavioral Health in Bellingham, Washington
  • Kiaʻi Koalition, hosted by Hui o Kuapā in Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi
  • Mechoopda Summer Camp, hosted by Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria in Humbug Valley, California
  • Summer Gathering Medicine Camp 2026, hosted by: Janiyakuha Webster in Bowler, Wisconsin 
Over the past 22 years, with the support of our donors,
we have granted $252,000 to 203 camps!

Impact Report

Our supporters help provide funding for summer camps who are connecting Native youth with cultural experiences as well as providing curriculum on health, wellness and self-care. Read our 2025 report to learn more about how the 2025 Summer Camps reached 560 youth from at least ​34 Tribes, Nations, and communities!