Discover your own best self
The American Youth Foundation is a nonprofit youth development organization that engages thousands of youth year-round through community and school programs, summer camps, and leadership conferences at our beautiful properties, Merrowvista in New Hampshire and Miniwanca in Michigan.
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.
Registration for Summer Camp and NLC 2023 is now open!
Miniwanca Merrowvista National Leadership Conference
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Miniwanca
Michigan
Set on 360 wooded acres and a mile of private Lake Michigan shoreline, Miniwanca Girls Camp and Boys Camp 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
An 8-day conference for high school and college students, held in June at Miniwanca in Shelby, Michigan.
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Care Teams connect with campers’ mental, emotional health
As they prepared for summer 2022, the American Youth Foundation team was determined to provide a strong network of support for campers struggling with emotional …
Annual golf tournament raises nearly $95,000 for AYF youth
More than 85 people took to the links on Monday, May 8 to golf for a good cause on Monday, May 8, raising nearly $95,000 …
Nestlé Purina PetCare employees support AYF during Purina Cares Day
Two dozen red-shirted Nestlé Purina PetCare employees gathered outside the American Youth Foundation office in St. Louis on a bright Tuesday morning to learn a …
Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Griffin Vogler
Director of Miniwanca Griffin Vogler brought her passion for community, mentorship, and inspirational growth to the American Youth Foundation in 2020 after a 10-year career …
Join Advancing Toward our Best on May 24
Join the American Youth Foundation online Wednesday, May 24 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT for “Advancing Toward Our Best,” an AYF-wide townhall. We’ll share …
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Aubrie Boyd
Aubrie Boyd grew up loving summer camp life, from her first sleepaway camp experience at Camp Wyandot in Ohio to her role as a seasonal …