Auburn's Growing Peace Camp built on legacy, rooted in resilience

To most kids, summer is magical – an escape into that realm of day normally occupied by school. In the back of a building off High Street, a little ways away from Downtown Auburn, children – some in their early teens, others grade school age and younger – are playing basketball. Other kids swirl around them whimsically like the wind – playing tag, dancing to music – caught in their own imaginative worlds. It's a carefree time most kids dream of throughout a typical school year. Except this, you see, is not school. For almost four decades, Growing Peace Camp has offered young people a meaningful and empowering experience; a respite during those lazy dog days of summer. It's a type of peaceful bubble away from the chaos of the everyday, and for Natalie Zapata, it's special. Zapata became a part of Growing Peace Camp in 2011, after befriending Leslye Janusz and Millee Livingston, its original founder. Zapata would find not only friendship with the two women, both already longtime friends, but also mentorship. That bond would grow as Natalie's role with camp did, her family joining in as well. Zapata was handed the reins by founder Livingston more than a decade ago, serving as camp director; Rocky Zapata, her husband – as the media arts director and videography specialist – coordinates the middle-school media arts program. The camp thrived as it had been, and somehow, no matter what challenges life seemed to throw, it always found its way forward. Covid hit, but Peace Camp continued remotely. Natalie Zapata said, "We had scavenger hunts on Zoom before remote schooling became a new reality. We laughed every day. It was actually one of our best years." The camp's resilience was tested in 2022, when Livingston passed away, and then the following year, Janusz crossed over, too. In 2024, Natalie ran Peace Camp for the first time without her mentors. There was solace even in the grief as well as strength as the camp continued. Counselors and helpers rallied; and again, another year's camp was a success. For Zapata, Growing Peace Camp is a symbol of a legacy being continued, a shared vision begun four decades ago by Livingston that now gets to live on for generations. Some children have literally grown up in Peace Camp, forming lasting friendships and experiencing a cohesive, harmonious, intergenerational community year after year. "Peace Camp revived my hope that the younger generation will change the world," Joseph Torres – "DJJ" – said. DJJ has been a fixture along with Christian Couto and Eddie Barraza, among others, serving as counselors, specialists and guest teachers. Last year, kids worked on an award-winning music video, producing, from concept to final editing, a polished song and music video in just five days. There were also tie-dye booths and games. Every year, camp explores a theme. This year, the theme is about the concept of bartering, not just in a monetary, transactional sense, but in a reciprocal one. It shows how trading something meaningful, such as a skill or possession for a need, can enhance friendships and bring in connection, Natalie Zapata said. This is further emphasized in a continued aspect of the camp, providing free lunches to all kids attending – and even to some parents in need. Natalie says she doesn't worry when deadlines come up or when it seems as though things with the camp might come up short. To her, "Things just seem to work. The camp is supposed to happen." That resiliency was tested again this year, when in May, Natalie lost her mother, causing a significant delay in fundraising and planning. In the midst of grief, she called on her team and put together yet another meaningful camp in just two short months. Staff and volunteers in place, plenty of youth participants signed up, and three-quarters of fundraising efforts reached, Peace Camp lives on once again. Mental wellness and dealing with grief through art has been a value extolled throughout the camp's long history. An array of facilitators – from hip-hop songsmiths to videographers to artists – take part in the camp, some coming from different locations, all in an effort to create a space for peace. There's something beautiful about this, and everyone always puts their heart and soul into it. "At Growing Peace Camp, we explore the concepts of peace through arts, nature and movement," said Couto, who this year will work with sixth- through eighth-graders. "Together, we will learn media arts, like videography and music production. We also have a mental health and wellness group, teaching students the importance of mindfulness and emotional regulation." Growing Peace Camp 2025 will be held from July 28-Aug. 1, 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., at 1279 High Street, Auburn. There are still a few spaces available for participants and volunteers. For more information, contact Nataliepohley@gmail.com.