View by category
Merrowvista
June 29, 2022
Merrowvista 2022 staff training in full swing
The entire Merrowvista 2022 staff is working diligently with only three days until campers arrive for Session A. Last week, the staff spent the week honing their skills in various...
Boys Camp
Miniwanca
June 29, 2022
Bright Days Ahead
Bryant Field at Boys Camp had its first action-packed morning of the summer on Monday, June 27. Campers joined together to raise flags, participate in morning stretches, and prepare the...
General Updates
June 29, 2022
Mulcahy fellows gather for first in-person retreat
Ten members of the Mulcahy Fellowship gathered on the dunes of Miniwanca for their first retreat this month. The Mulcahy Fellowship is an initiative to intentionally honor, support, and uplift...
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
June 29, 2022
Girls Camp comes alive on Opening Day
The air was buzzing with excitement for Opening Day as staff welcomed campers back to Miniwanca. Beginning at noon and lasting just past 5 p.m., campers arrived on site with...
National Leadership Conference
June 29, 2022
NLC returns to Miniwanca with powerful program
The National Leadership Conference roared back to life this summer after two years of virtual and abbreviated gatherings. NLC Co-Director Erin O’Brien said it was emotional to reconnect with youth...
Boys Camp
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
June 25, 2022
Miniwanca seasonal staff prepares for summer 2022
The sun is shining, Lake Michigan is roaring, and staff are smiling as summer 2022 staff training is almost finished. With just one day left until Session A campers arrive,...
Merrowvista
June 16, 2022
Merrowvista prepares to welcome summer 2022 campers
Staff are hard at work preparing the site for campers’ arrival to Merrowvista in less than two weeks. From installing docks in Dan Hole Pond to setting up new little...
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
National Leadership Conference
May 26, 2022
Advancing Toward Our Best
Thank you to all who joined us Tuesday evening at Advancing Toward Our Best! We recorded the webinar for those who weren’t able to make it. We hope it provides...
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
May 23, 2022
Volunteers prepare Miniwanca, Merrowvista for summer 2022
Volunteers recently gathered in the crisp spring air at Miniwanca and Merrowvista to roll up their sleeves and prepare the sites for summer 2022. At Miniwanca, Director of Operations Griffin...
General Updates
May 23, 2022
Golf Tournament raises more than $100,000 for AYF scholarships
The 20th Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament took place in St. Louis on May 9, raising $108,000 for scholarship funds to support youth attending American Youth Foundation programs. The...
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
May 20, 2022
Staff Spotlight: Carrie Hargreaves Smith
For as long as she can remember, Carrie Hargreaves Smith was interested in a health care career. She loved math, science, and learning about all the human body’s intricate processes....
Founder Fire
May 17, 2022
Enkindled Spirits: Grace Blinkhoff
Upon joining City Year AmeriCorps, each member is presented with a red jacket, which they dedicate to a person, idea, or cause that inspires them to serve. Most people dedicate...
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
April 28, 2022
AYF staff complete LEAD Camp Mental Health training
More than a dozen members of the American Youth Foundation staff recently completed Camp Mental Health Certification offered by Let’s Empower, Advocate, and Do. LEAD is a nonprofit dedicated to...
Miniwanca
April 27, 2022
Miniwanca to rebuild deteriorating Assembly
After years of leaning and disuse, the beloved Assembly at Miniwanca will see new life in 2023. Visitors to Girls Camp last year saw the nearly century-old building propped against...
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
April 27, 2022
Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Emily Knuth
One of Emily Jones Knuth’s fondest camp memories is serving as Quad Leader in eighth grade and again as a high school senior. She relished the chance to add the...
Founder Fire
April 22, 2022
Meet AYF board chair DD Danforth-Burlin
The American Youth Foundation has played a pivotal role in DD Danforth-Burlin’s life. The four-fold way of living has steered her through her youth as a Miniwanca camper and leader,...
Merrowvista
March 31, 2022
Join the Merrowvista seasonal staff Recruitment Challenge
Merrowvista Seasonal Staff are our best recruiters, so let’s see what we can do together! It’s time to engage your friendly, competitive spirit and win awesome prizes while helping recruit...
Merrowvista
March 25, 2022
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Jamie O’Hagin
Jamie O’Hagin knows what it’s like to be the nervous new kid at camp. A bully tarnished her only prior camp experience, and she was worried she’d find the same...