The American Youth Foundation is proud to officially welcome Liz Marshall to her new role as president and CEO of the organization. As the AYF announced in October 2023, former...

If you’ve ever attended National Leadership Conference, you’ve likely met the Mayor of Miniwanca, Todd Bundy. The NLC community bestowed this honorary title on him in 1995, one he still...

Seven years ago, Jamie Sweetser’s family friend Kim Novotny convinced her to try something new. She joined the seasonal kitchen team at Merrowvista and, under Novotny’s guidance as Food Program...

On a clear summer evening, a group of Four Trails campers gather around a fire. They’ve just eaten a meal they prepared after a day of kayaking and have finally...

Miniwanca is thrilled to welcome two new members to its full-time team, including one familiar face. We can’t wait for you to meet them during Summer Camp 2024! Tiwi Freeman...

The entire American Youth Foundation community wishes its beloved president of 20 years, Anna Kay Vorsteg, happy trails as she embarks on the next phase of her personal and professional...

Every year, the American Youth Foundation puts a call out for volunteers to ready its sites for the summer. The turnout, staff will tell you, is nothing short of inspiring....

Dear American Youth Foundation Community: For 20 years the American Youth Foundation has had the amazing good fortune to have had Anna Kay Vorsteg serve as its president. It is...

The AYF is pleased to announce a passing of the torch of leadership. After decades of remarkable service that has lifted our organization to new heights, President Anna Kay Vorsteg...

Dear AYF Community, It has been my honor to serve as president for the American Youth Foundation and I write to share that after 35 years, as a participant, leader,...

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...

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’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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...