National Leadership Conference
June 28, 2024
National Leadership Conference ignites inner sparks as summer 2024 begins
Nearly 200 high schoolers descended on Miniwanca this month for the National Leadership Conference, a week of leadership development through community, discussion, and play. “I look forward to this week...
Merrowvista
June 26, 2024
Merrowvista prepares for summer camp 2024
Only 4 more days until Session A Opening Day! Interim Camp Director Katsu Okuma and the season staff are hard at work preparing Merrowvista for our first campers of the...
Community and School Programs
Miniwanca
May 30, 2024
United Way honors Oceana County Leadership Lab teens
Three cheers are in order for four Oceana County teens whose volunteer efforts were recently recognized by United Way of the Lakeshore in west Michigan. Aubriana Foster, Zen Jones, Sova...
General Updates
May 30, 2024
2024 Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament raises more than $100,000                
More than 100 people took to the greens of Algonquin Golf Club in St. Louis this month at the 22nd Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament. Their generosity raised $120,522...
Merrowvista
May 29, 2024
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Mads “Earl” Chomentowski
The Four Trails program at Miniwanca first sparked Mads Chomentowski’s love for outdoor adventure when they were a teen. Now, Mads (better known as “Earl” to the Miniwanca community) will...
Founder Fire
May 28, 2024
Charting a Centennial Voyage
An anniversary is a chance to reflect on the past year and consider what’s next. As the American Youth Foundation plans its 2025 centennial events (dates to be announced soon),...
AYF Centennial
April 29, 2024
AYF Regional Action Networks gather Founder Friends across the U.S.
As the American Youth Foundation prepares for its centennial in 2025, President Liz Marshall and Vice President of Advancement Sandra George have tapped eager alums across the country to rally...
Miniwanca
April 29, 2024
Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Brianna Moynihan
Miniwanca Assistant Director of Camps Brianna Moynihan has attended summer camp for as long as she remembers: as a camper, then a counselor, and a director. She is passionate about...
National Leadership Conference
April 29, 2024
NLC Class Challenge raises more than $15,000 for scholarships
The National Leadership Conference community once again proved that not only could they rise to the challenge, but they could also exceed it. In total, 114 people raised $15,087 in...
General Updates
April 27, 2024
Calling all volunteers – we need you!
There are several opportunities for volunteers who want to serve humbly and reconnect with their favorite American Youth Foundation program this spring and summer. St. Louis June and July: St....
General Updates
April 15, 2024
AYF launches Cleveland Regional Action Network
The American Youth Foundation is proud to launch its first Regional Action Network in Cleveland, Ohio. Shane Hinde, Mary Leach, Julie Meadows, and Meg Nystrom serve as AYF Cleveland RAN...
Merrowvista
April 12, 2024
AYF expands Spark Adult Retreat to Merrowvista
The American Youth Foundation is pleased to launch its Spark Adult Retreat at Merrowvista from August 23 to 25. Registration is now open. Director of Adult Programs Holley Young said...
General Updates
April 11, 2024
RSVP for AYF Meet the President Events
American Youth Foundation President Liz Marshall is hitting the road this year to meet with AYF supporters across the country at Meet the President events, and she hopes you’ll join...
Miniwanca
March 28, 2024
Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Tiwi Freeman
Tiwi Freeman can never stay away from the American Youth Foundation too long. He first connected with the AYF in 2010 through Merrowvista, where he worked in a variety of...
General Updates
March 27, 2024
Meet new AYF President Liz Marshall in a city near you
American Youth Foundation President Liz Marshall is hitting the road this year to meet with AYF supporters across the country at Meet the President events, and she hopes you’ll join...
General Updates
Miniwanca
March 1, 2024
Meet the Spark 2024 Coordinating Team
Spark, the American Youth Foundation’s retreat for adults, returns to Miniwanca for its third year from September 12 to 15. AYF Director of Adult Programs Holley Young is pleased to...
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
February 20, 2024
Register now for Miniwanca, Merrowvista Volunteer Weekends
The entire family is invited to lend a hand this spring at Miniwanca and Merrowvista! This year, Volunteer Weekend takes place April 26 to 28 at Miniwanca and May 17...
Merrowvista
February 20, 2024
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Katsu Okuma
Katsu Okuma wasn’t a “camp kid” growing up. Instead, he spent summers traveling around Ohio playing baseball. The camp bug finally got him in high school when he attended the...