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Founder Fire
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
February 27, 2023
AYF facilities teams focus on solid foundations
As youth returned to Merrowvista and Miniwanca in 2021 and 2022, the facilities teams focused on how the sites could best serve participants in the future while bringing much needed...
Miniwanca
February 24, 2023
Miniwanca to host open house in St. Louis
Miniwanca is coming to St. Louis on Sunday, March 5! Join us at Eden Theological Seminary from 1 to 4 p.m. Learn more about summer 2023 and meet Camp Directors...
General Updates
January 28, 2023
Calibrate your 2024 with YearCompass
The American Youth Foundation invites you to join us once again for a virtual experience that will bring intention to your new year, called the YearCompass. Originating over a decade...
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
January 23, 2023
Registration is now open 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 28 to 30 at Miniwanca and May 12...
Miniwanca
January 18, 2023
Dare to Adventure will expand outdoor access to Detroit-area youth
The American Youth Foundation will offer a new program in August 2023 that will introduce first-time campers from the Detroit area to Miniwanca and summer camp. The Dare to Adventure...
National Leadership Conference
January 18, 2023
NLC Class Challenge raises $10,000 for 2023 scholarships
National Leadership Conference classes form strong bonds during this transformative four-year program – bonds that hold tight long after their last fire circle together. In late 2022, NLC Co-Directors Erin...
Community and School Programs
Merrowvista
January 17, 2023
Park School students experience the great outdoors at Merrowvista
The American Youth Foundation shares its mission and values with hundreds of young participants each year through its Community and School Programs. One partner, Park School in Brookline, Massachusetts, brought...
Community and School Programs
Merrowvista
January 9, 2023
Powerful Community Partners at Heart
All youth deserve to experience the power of self-discovery and personal growth American Youth Foundation outdoor education programs provide. The strong relationships formed between the AYF and its Community and...
General Updates
December 14, 2022
St. Louis AYF alumni reconnect at Founder Social Hour
Founder Friends reconnected over a pint at the first Founder Social Hour in St. Louis. About 30 American Youth Foundation alumni gathered at 4 Hands Brewing Co. to catch up,...
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
December 13, 2022
Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Bethany Wise
Miniwanca Girls Camp Director Bethany Wise is new to the American Youth Foundation, but not to the world of youth development and outdoor education. Bethany spend her childhood summers as...
Miniwanca
December 13, 2022
Meet the new Miniwanca Directors at virtual townhall
The AYF invites the Miniwanca community to meet the Directors on a Zoom townhall Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. ET. They’ll share their ideas for 2023, what they’re looking...
General Updates
December 9, 2022
Calibrate your 2023 with YearCompass
The American Youth Foundation invites you to join us once again for a virtual experience that will bring intention to your new year, called the YearCompass. Originating over a decade...
Founder Fire
General Updates
December 9, 2022
President Anna Kay Vorsteg looks back on 2022
For most of my adult life, I have kept a small paperweight on my desk that reads, “Every wall is a door.”  We all need reminders that, when faced with...
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
October 24, 2022
Summer camp 2023 registration starts strong
Temperatures may be dropping, but the American Youth Foundation is fully focused on warm sunny days ahead as registration opened for 2023 summer camp this week. Already, more than 200...
Boys Camp
Miniwanca
October 24, 2022
Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Paul Kerchberger
Paul Kerchberger joined the American Youth Foundation in 2021, but he’s no stranger to summer camp life. He spent his youth soaring among the trees on the high ropes course...
Community and School Programs
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
September 22, 2022
Community and School Programs return to Miniwanca, Merrowvista
The American Youth Foundation continues to carefully build back its programs to pre-pandemic levels, including our Community and School Programs at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. This year, both sites are welcoming...
General Updates
Miniwanca
September 21, 2022
Inaugural Spark retreat ignites community
The American Youth Foundation launched a new adult program this month at Miniwanca. Spark, a retreat for adults, welcomed 33 attendees for four days of reflection, connection, and introspection Sept....
General Updates
September 20, 2022
Ambrean Ford awarded national DEI honor
The American Youth Foundation congratulates and celebrates Ambrean Ford, Director of Community Life, Diversity, and Inclusion, who was recently recognized as national leader in creating a more inclusive, equitable workplace....