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In 1925, the first Older Boys and Older Girls conference participants arrived at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. Some were excited for the adventure ahead; others were nervous to leave home for the first time. All experienced the transformative power of the American Youth Foundation – the first young people do to so, and certainly not the last.

One hundred years later, the AYF has officially kicked off its centennial summer, during which more than 1,100 participants will join programs at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. The excitement started with the 100th National Leadership Conference (previously Older Boys and Older Girls camp), which welcomed hundreds of teens from across the country for a week of youth leadership and development.

“It was a powerful week made all the more special because it was the 100th year that teens have experienced the life-changing conference that our organization was built upon,” said Michael Harter, NLC co-director.

Highlights from NLC included the first-year class revealing its banner to the larger community after several days of careful discussion and reflection. This year, the first-year class unveiled its name, To Connect Dreams, with a purple and blue banner decorated with constellations and the phrase: “Together in hope. United in ambition. Connected in Dreams.”

It was also a special year for Focus Forward, Lasting Legacy, the fourth-year graduating class of 2025. “It’s always a milestone moment for our community when the fourth-year class completes its final year,” Harter said. “But it was especially exciting this year as it was the centennial graduation.”

It wasn’t long after NLC participants departed Miniwanca that the first campers of the year rolled in. Sunday, June 29 was Opening Day for Miniwanca and Merrowvista summer camp, and staff enthusiastically welcomed their arrival.

“From the moment camp ends, we start planning for the next summer,” said Miniwanca Girls Camp Director Bethany Wise. “Our goal is to find just the right blend of tradition and the key elements that make Miniwanca feel like it did in 1925, while bringing in new traditions and elements that reflect the needs and personalities of our campers in 2025. Sometimes we bring back things we haven’t done for a while, like this year with the return of the Stony Lake Regatta.”

New Merrowvista Camp Director Madelyn Cook said she was thrilled to greet her first campers and experience her first Merrowvista summer right alongside them.

“Getting to learn more about the rich history of Merrowvista, its people, and its programs has only deepened my admiration and love of this community,” she said. “I could not be more excited to lead the camp team in our centennial summer.”

Since that first summer 100 years ago, AYF programs have evolved through the decades to meet the needs of its youth. They welcomed younger campers, added outcamping adventure programs for teens, and increased access to programs so even more people can experience the power of these inspirational weeks.

And still, the AYF’s commitment to youth empowerment has remained the same. Campers in 1925 felt the same anticipation, nerves, and joy climbing their first sand dunes at Miniwanca or paddling out on Dan Hole Pond at Merrowvista as they do today. And just like those first OG and OB participants, the campers of 2025 will ignite inner sparks as they discover their own best selves through transformative AYF programs this summer.