Discover your own best self.
We’re a nonprofit youth development organization that engages thousands of youth year round through community & school programs, summer camps, and leadership conferences at our beautiful properties in New Hampshire (Merrowvista) and Michigan (Miniwanca).
Since 1925, we have welcomed young people from around the world to our campuses to discover the richness of our outdoor environments, the fun of interacting with a positive community, and the challenge of self-discovery.
Miniwanca
Michigan
Set on 360 wooded acres and a mile of private Lake Michigan shoreline, Miniwanca is a breathtaking and inspiring setting for growth.
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Merrowvista
New Hampshire
Set on over 600 acres in the pristine Ossipee Mountains of New Hampshire, Merrowvista draws you into a life that is rustic, uncomplicated, and filled with excitement.
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National Leadership Conference
June 10-17, 2017
An 8-day conference for high school and college students, held in June at Miniwanca in Shelby, Michigan.
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Merrowvista: The Experience of a Lifetime
By Hawa (Codman ’16) Codman’s trip to Merrowvista is like being thrown into a pool of vulnerability and forced to swim out safely and stronger. …
Early Bird Excitement
In mid-August, the year-round summer camp teams at Merrowvista and Miniwanca each shared in countless hugs, tidied up, and waved as several hundred summer staff …
Living the AYF Mission: Survey
We want to hear from you! If you have experienced an AYF program, directly or indirectly, we invite you to complete this survey in order to …
The Value of Grit
By Anthony Marvullo Recent conversations on youth development and student success focus on resilience, sometimes called grit. In Paul Tough’s 2012 book How Children Succeed, …
Away in a Bahn
By Eva Bednar Last Friday night, a small, old barn in the Ossipee Mountains sat aglow on a hilltop in the Canaan Valley. This barn (or …
Growing Up Camp
Last weekend I dropped my oldest son, Sam, off for college. It was an emotion filled day – mostly feelings of pride and excitement. Occasionally …