View by category
AYF Centennial
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
July 24, 2025
Join the AYF in St. Louis for centennial BBQ, gala
The American Youth Foundation invites you to join us for a day of celebration in St. Louis on Saturday, Oct. 18. The AYF will cap its year of centennial festivities...
AYF Centennial
Miniwanca
July 24, 2025
AYF shares plans for new Assembly at Miniwanca
A Gathering Place Completed in 1926, The Assembly was the oldest original building at Miniwanca. J. R. Marcum, a friend of AYF founder Preston Orwig, funded the $4,000 facility. Nestled...
Inspired Impact
Merrowvista
July 24, 2025
Inspired Impact: Annabelle Tucker
Annabelle Tucker proves it’s never too early to start giving back to the American Youth Foundation programs that gave so much to her. At 16, she’s currently a Wayfinder at...
Miniwanca
July 22, 2025
Wildlife experiences with the Miniwanca Adventurers
Miniwanca Adventurers go on a 120-mile canoe journey down the Au Sable River, a National Scenic river in northern Michigan. The group paddle through the Huron Manistee National Forest and...
Miniwanca
July 22, 2025
Top 5 Miniwanca Explorer Moments
The Explorers embark on a journey to the stunning Picture Rocks National Lakeshore, where they backpack 42 miles along the shores of Lake Superior. Here are the five top moments...
Miniwanca
July 22, 2025
Miniwanca quads build community, connection through fun
by Bethany Wise, Miniwanca Girls Camp Director A quad might sound like just another team or group at camp, but anyone who’s been in a Miniwanca quad knows it’s so...
Miniwanca
July 17, 2025
Miniwanca Lifeguards: Making Waves and Keeping Watch
by Briana Moynihan, Assistant Camp Director “POOOOLLLLARRR BEARRR!” That sound wakes many campers at Miniwanca each morning. It’s the call of the early risers – the bold, adventurous campers who...
Miniwanca
July 11, 2025
Trailblazers take first steps into outdoor adventure programs
As Hannah Montana famously said, Trailblazers “get the best of both worlds.” Miniwanca’s Trailblazer program is an introduction to backcountry adventures. This three-week program introduces campers to backpacking, canoeing, and...
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
July 8, 2025
Supporting our Texas summer camp community
Our hearts are broken for the communities that suffered devastating losses during the Texas flash floods on July 4, especially Camp Mystic, Heart O’ the Hills, and other camps in...
Miniwanca
July 3, 2025
Meet the Miniwanca Four Trails Team
Our Four Trails Program is led by experienced and passionate leaders committed to providing a safe, enriching, and unforgettable experience for our campers. Here’s a closer look at the Four...
AYF Centennial
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
National Leadership Conference
June 29, 2025
American Youth Foundation kicks off centennial summer
In 1925, the first Older Boys and Older Girls conference participants arrived at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. Some were excited for the adventure ahead; others were nervous to leave home for...
National Leadership Conference
June 29, 2025
Inspired Impact: Allison Cone
Allison Cone’s experience at National Leadership Conference in the early 2000s forever changed how she experienced the world. The program was so impactful that she returned time and time again...
Miniwanca
June 29, 2025
Tree Lab, Miniwanca partner for reforestation efforts
Eager third-graders kicked off an impressive arboreal mission in April when they helped launch The Tree Lab at Miniwanca. Nearly 100 students from Shelby Elementary began the process of planting...
Miniwanca
June 25, 2025
Behind the Scenes: Building the Miniwanca Schedule
by Bethany Wise, Miniwanca Girls Camp Director Let’s go back to August 2024. Just days after wrapping up an incredible summer, while everything is still fresh in our minds, the...
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
National Leadership Conference
May 22, 2025
The countdown to summer 2025 begins
You can feel it in the air at Miniwanca and Merrowvista: summer 2025 is just around the corner, and staff are eagerly awaiting the campers’ arrival. The summer season kicks...
General Updates
May 21, 2025
Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament raises more than $100,000
A chilly silver day didn’t detract from the fun and the generosity at the Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament earlier this month in St. Louis More than 90 people...
Inspired Impact
May 21, 2025
Inspired Impact: Chandlee Dickey
Chandlee Dickey credits her experiences at Miniwanca and Merrowvista in the 1970s with changing her life trajectory. Her time as a camper and seasonal staff member inspired her to live...
Merrowvista
May 21, 2025
Meet new Merrowvista team members
The American Youth Foundation is thrilled to introduce four inspiring leaders who have joined the Merrowvista team this spring, along with new Camp Director Madelyn Cook. Jason Knowles – Executive...