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...
AYF Archives
Inspired Impact
April 24, 2025
Inspired Impact: Jan Strube
Jan Strube is a keeper of AYF history, preserving photographs, memories, and more as a volunteer archivist. Her passion for the AYF began as a Miniwanca Younger Girls camper in...
Community and School Programs
Founder Fire
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
National Leadership Conference
April 24, 2025
AYF programs spark purpose through intentional outcomes
For the last 100 years, American Youth Foundation programs have fostered self-discovery through a balanced approach of personal growth, community building, and interconnected program goals. Recently, AYF leadership updated its...
Merrowvista
April 24, 2025
Meet new Merrowvista Camp Director Madelyn Cook
The American Youth Foundation is thrilled to announce Madelyn Cook as the new Merrowvista Camp Director. “A lifelong member of the AYF community, Madelyn brings an incredible depth of experience,...
AYF Centennial
April 17, 2025
AYF kicks off Centennial Campaign
More than 100 Founder Friends gathered on Zoom Wednesday, April 16 to kick off our centennial festivities. We can’t wait for all the excitement and connection this year holds! As...
AYF Centennial
April 1, 2025
Join the AYF Centennial Kickoff Wednesday, April 16
Save the date: The American Youth Foundation is kicking off its centennial festivities with a virtual gathering Wednesday, April 16! Join President and CEO Liz Marshall and other AYF leadership...
Inspired Impact
Miniwanca
National Leadership Conference
March 20, 2025
Inspired Impact: Amy Hughes
The lessons Amy Hughes learned during International Leadership Conference and National Leadership Conference in the mid-1990s laid the foundation for her personal and professional life today. Hughes is a medical...
AYF Centennial
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
March 19, 2025
Kick off the AYF centennial celebrations April 16
Save the date: The American Youth Foundation is kicking off its centennial festivities with a virtual gathering Wednesday, April 16! Join President and CEO Liz Marshall and other AYF leadership...
Founder Fire
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
March 19, 2025
Wayfinders and Avail campers learn through service
Summer camp often calls to mind visions of youth adventuring daringly as they hike through rugged terrain or aspiring nobly as they master sailing or kayaking in open water. However,...
Miniwanca
March 11, 2025
Meet 2025 Miniwanca Spark keynote speaker Robin Dennany
Spark, a four-day retreat designed for adults, returns to Miniwanca for its fourth year Sept. 11 to 14, 2025. Registration opens Monday, March 17. This year, Spark welcomes keynote speaker...