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,...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

Towns across America flock to county fairs every summer ready for a day of face painting, sweet treats, and pockets full of paper tickets for carnival games. Merrowvista hosts its...

Younger campers spend most of their time exploring Merrowvista’s vast acreage, enjoying Interest Groups like arts and crafts and the waterfront at Dan Hole Pond. They play community-wide games and...

Waking up in the mornings can be hard, especially after a full day of camp fun. Merrowvista has a unique way to get kids out of bed: Go-Getters. For about...

One of the biggest parts of the Merrowvista experience is the opportunity to take part in hiking trips. Campers of all ages participate in a hiking trip, and as they...

“I’m hungry – when’s lunch?” “Can I have a snack?” “What’s for dessert tonight?” Camp staff hear these questions constantly during a typical day. Mealtime is one of the most...

It was a Silver Opening Day as rain poured on cars driving up the huge hill leading to camp. Energetic staff and leaders waited to greet campers as they arrived...

Last month, Merrowvista welcomed new and former staff from across the world to prepare for the arrival of this summer’s campers. The staff team spent time getting to know one...