TOHATCHI, N.M. — A group of around 40 children attended the Wings of America Running and Fitness Camp in Tohatchi. The organization is helping young people build healthy lifestyles through fitness, mentorship, and cultural awareness.
“Our partnership with Wings of America is creating opportunities for our young people to stay active, build confidence, and learn from Native athletes who understand their experiences,” said President Nygren. “By bringing together organizations that share a commitment to youth wellness, we are investing in the future of the Navajo Nation.”
Wings of America Running and Fitness Camps promote healthy lifestyle choices among American Indian youth through fitness, nutrition education, mentorship, and cultural awareness. Held at schools and community centers across Tribal communities, the camps provide participants with opportunities to learn proper exercise techniques, healthy eating habits, teamwork, leadership skills, and the history of Native running traditions.
Through positive reinforcement from Native student-athlete mentors, participants develop healthy habits that help combat childhood obesity and diabetes while strengthening cultural identity and self-confidence. Camp facilitators serve as role models who share their experiences in athletics, education, and community leadership while helping youth build lasting connections with their peers.
The partnership that made this summer’s camps possible began after Wings of America Chief Visionary Officer Dustin Martin approached President Nygren during the New Mexico state track and field championships to discuss expanding opportunities for Native youth. That conversation led to follow-up meetings and collaboration with the Navajo Department of Health, resulting in this summer’s running and fitness workshop series across the Navajo Nation.
During the event, Martin reflected on that first conversation with the President.
“I was scared to approach the President, but the worst thing that could happen was he would say no,” Martin told camp participants.
Martin, a member of the Navajo Nation and a Wings of America alumnus, has dedicated his career to expanding opportunities for Native youth through running, leadership development, education, and cultural empowerment. A former NCAA Division I student-athlete and graduate of Columbia University, he has helped grow Wings of America into a nationally recognized organization that promotes Native youth wellness and achievement.
In recognition of their advocacy, mentorship, and commitment to Native youth, the Navajo Department of Health honored several leaders from Wings of America during the event. Martin received a Pendleton blanket in appreciation of his leadership and service. Esther Beck and Glen Allen were also recognized for their contributions to Native youth development, wellness, and athletics.
Beck, a Diné runner from Jeddito, Arizona, serves as a key member of the Wings of America team and helps coordinate youth programming and athletic outreach initiatives. Allen, one of Indian Country’s most respected distance runners and mentors, has spent decades encouraging Native youth to pursue excellence in athletics, education, and community leadership.
Camp organizers emphasized that running serves as a foundation for lifelong health while teaching discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and personal responsibility.
The camp is part of a summer series made possible through a partnership between Wings of America, the Navajo Department of Health, the Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services, and the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country program. The organizations are hosting ten running camps across the Navajo Nation for youth ages 6 to 18.
