Michael Harter’s career has always found him at the intersection of youth empowerment and mental health, a passion he credits to his own foundational experiences as an AYF participant. He’s...

American Youth Foundation programs provides life-shaping moments not just for campers, but also for seasonal staff, like The Prindle Institute for Ethics students Gianna and Julia, who shared their experience...

by Dana Rieck National Leadership Conference participants were finally able to gather on the dunes of Miniwanca once again in 2021, albeit in a new, more intimate way. While the...

Miniwanca has seen many significant improvements to its facilities in recent years, including extensive renovation of the West Eating Lodge and more than 50 cabins at Girls Camp and Boys...

The American Youth Foundation experience extends long past when participants complete youth programs at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. As both sites prepare to welcome adults back to in-person events this summer,...

While the COVID-19 pandemic brought many losses, it also ushered in new methods for creating community using virtual tools instead of live gatherings. One such virtual event took place in...

Kim Novotny knows meals at Merrowvista are important community experiences. As Food Program Manager, she strives to make those meals healthy, delicious, and memorable. Novotny first joined the Merrowvista seasonal...

The American Youth Foundation is thrilled to welcome back more campers in 2022, and Merrowvista and Miniwanca are seeking energetic individuals to join their seasonal youth development teams for a...

For the first time in more than a year, a familiar sound could be heard across the dunes of Miniwanca and the valleys of Merrowvista: campers’ voices, laughing and singing...

Regan Gibson Wiesler first encountered the American Youth Foundation when she attended National Leadership Conference in 2012, an experience that created lasting bonds with her class and the AYF. Since...

At the American Youth Foundation, we believe that we are all responsible for building equitable community. Our organization’s work is to amplify the voice of youth and encourage them to...

Ambrean Ford had never heard of the American Youth Foundation or Miniwanca when she accepted a job as a Girls Camp cabin leader in 2016. She joined the seasonal staff...

After a long year of wait and worry, the bells of Miniwanca and Merrowvista finally rang once again this summer. They signaled much more than a return – each intonation...

Join the Giving Tuesday movement Tuesday, Nov. 30 and help a young person experience the life-changing power of an AYF program. Every child deserves the chance to live at their...

The future of the National Leadership Conference looks bright in 2022.The American Youth Foundation is pleased to return to the full eight-day conference, welcoming first-year participants once again and offering...

The American Youth Foundation recently named a new vice president: longtime staff member Liz Marshall. Marshall most recently served as Senior Director of Advancement, and before that was the Miniwanca...

Dozens of golfers and volunteers were on hand for an afternoon of sport and fun at the recent Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament, as well as to raise more...

Patrick O’Hagin is a beloved, mustachioed presence at Merrowvista – and a man of many talents. As Facilities Manager, he makes sure the buildings, grounds, and vehicles are safe and...