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Miniwanca
October 27, 2023
Sparking Connection
By Dana Rieck Attendance at Miniwanca’s four-day Spark 2023 retreat nearly doubled in its second year as 62 people gathered for reflection, connection and introspection. Many were returning to camp...
General Updates
September 19, 2023
Creating A Sense of Belonging
By Dana Rieck Dozens of participants attended the Summer Seminars for Women this year, a three-day program that for 35 years has created an intergenerational space for women to learn,...
Miniwanca
August 22, 2023
Miniwanca welcomes families for weekend of fun
Miniwanca’s annual Alumni & Family Weekend took place Aug. 17 to 20. More than two dozen people gathered for a long weekend of fun, community, and service on the dunes....
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
August 18, 2023
Working at Summer Camp: More than Just a Job
At first glance, it may not be obvious how coordinating a high-energy skit or Night’s Doings correlates to an office environment. However, plenty of former seasonal Merrowvista and Miniwanca staff...
Merrowvista
August 18, 2023
Merrowvista wraps up summer 2023
Summer 2023 was filled with cannonballs into Dan Hole Pond, songs sung at the top of campers’ little lungs, and bowls of chicken tenders. For the past six weeks, Merrowvista...
Merrowvista
August 18, 2023
Merrowvista Odyssey campers return triumphant
With arms linked and faces caked with dirt, 10 Merrowvista Odyssey campers and their two leaders finished the final stretch of their 16-day trip: the walk up Canaan Road into...
Miniwanca
August 16, 2023
New campers dare to adventure at Miniwanca
Nearly 20 seventh and eighth graders took bold first steps into a new camp experience at Miniwanca at the inaugural Dare to Adventure program in early August. These kids were...
Founder Fire
General Updates
August 14, 2023
Remembering Elizabeth “Bartie” Jones
Elizabeth Bartholomew Jones, better known as Bartie to the American Youth Foundation community, passed away July 31 at age 98. Bartie was born Aug. 28, 1924 in Pontiac, Michigan. She...
General Updates
Merrowvista
August 10, 2023
Staff Spotlight: AYF’s Kris Light
Kris Light has a 20-year history with the American Youth Foundation. His foundation with the AYF began as a seasonal Four Trails leader, camp coordinator, and Community and Schools Program...
Merrowvista
August 10, 2023
Wayfinders help Merrowvista grow
When people think of summer camps, they don’t normally think of hard hats and power tools. However, the Wayfinder program at Merrowvista provides campers with the opportunity to put on...
Community and School Programs
Merrowvista
August 10, 2023
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Dayna Vuksinick
Dayna Vuksinick never intended to work with kids as a career. In fact, the Utah native thought she’d use her outdoor education degree as a park ranger for the National...
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
August 10, 2023
Staff Spotlight: AYF’s Romauld Dugue
Information Technology Manager Romauld Dugue works behind the scenes at the American Youth Foundation, ensuring the three sites stay connected to deliver quality youth programming year-round. Dugue first heard about...
Merrowvista
August 3, 2023
Four Fold Tournament Kickoff at Merrowvista
Every summer, campers eagerly await one of Merrowvista’s most beloved traditions: the Four Fold Tournament. This tournament takes place during the last week of the session. The tournament divides campers...
Merrowvista
August 3, 2023
The One-Week Merrowvista Experience
A week at Merrowvista provides an opportunity for young people to embark on a summer of adventures and memory-making. Along with this excitement, campers also experience nervousness and fear, especially...
Merrowvista
August 1, 2023
Session B 2023 kicks off at Merrowvista
After a fun-filled session A at Merrowvista, the staff took a brief intersession and geared up for session B, and on Sunday, July 23, the camp community welcomed 147 campers....
General Updates
National Leadership Conference
July 27, 2023
Staff Spotlight: Advancement’s Michael Robinson
Michael Robinson first encountered the mission of the American Youth Foundation as a National Leadership Conference participant from 2008 to 2011. As a member of the class Deeply Rooted, NLC...
Merrowvista
July 27, 2023
Sailing through the generations at Merrowvista
{From left, volunteer Waterfront Assistant Missy Foote and Sailing Specialist Sarah Collier at Merrowvista} Every summer, Merrowvista campers converge on Dan Hole Pond for favorite waterfront activities like swimming, canoeing,...
Merrowvista
July 26, 2023
Candlelight Sing at Camp Merrowvista
Campers and staff linked arms with their villages and departments and lined the road to the waterfront to conclude session A with the candlelight sing ceremony. Each group walked down...