The American Youth Foundation centennial celebrations continued this month as more than 150 people made the trip up the winding mountain roads to Merrowvista for Homecoming. For three days, these...

More than 60 people descended on Miniwanca for four days in September to pursue their personal bests during Spark, the American Youth Foundation’s retreat for adults. This is the fourth...

Trevor Uhl and his siblings, Keegan, Katrina, and Lindsey, spent their summers roaming the mountains and valleys of Merrowvista in the late ’80s and ’90s. That time had such a...

Older Merrowvista campers have exciting new choices for summer camp 2026. In addition to the Four Trails adventure programs, Merrowvista will offer new in-camp options for middle- and high school-aged...

For decades, the Four Trails biking program was a defining part of the American Youth Foundation experience. Generations of campers discovered resilience, teamwork, and a deeper sense of self while...

Nearly 200 people returned to the sand dunes and lakeshores of Miniwanca last weekend for a joyful homecoming. The three-day event kicked off a slew of centennial celebrations taking place...

With two older sisters at Miniwanca, Bridget Gilmore impatiently waited until she could join the fun at 9 years old. She spent seven happy summers on the sand dunes as...

As summer winds down, there are a few traditions that help mark the meaningful moments we’ve shared. One of the most beloved at Boys Camp is the Fifth-Year Banquet. Held...

One of the most powerful parts of a summer at Miniwanca is watching campers step into challenge by choice, an essential philosophy in adventure education that encourages individuals to stretch...

The Odyssey program at Miniwanca is a capstone adventure that takes campers on a journey of self-discovery and growth as they backpack the 100 Mile Wilderness of the Appalachian Trail....

Carn-Avail is one of the most anticipated events of the session, and it’s built from scratch by the campers in our Avail leadership program. It starts long before the music...

At Miniwanca, adventure doesn’t just live on the trails — it comes to life in the stories our campers create. This summer, our LARP and Dungeons & Dragons interest groups...

by Regan Gibson Wiesler, Four Trails Manager The Voyageur program at Miniwanca is a capstone trip filled with traditions and celebrations that enrich the experience and foster a deep sense...

by Bethany Wise, Miniwanca Girls Camp Director Of all 20-some summers I have spent at camp, one of my most memorable was the first time my little sister, Paige, joined...

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...

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...

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 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...