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Girls Camp
Miniwanca
July 13, 2021
To Aspire Nobly
As our three-week voyage of discovery heads into its final few days, the community has become deeply intertwined, cabins feel like home, and everyone has accepted the dare to discover...
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
July 9, 2021
Dreams Come True, Adventure Day!
At Miniwanca, Quads support each other and people flourish as they dare to dream. The golden sun shined brightly above downtown Miniwanca to kick off Dreams Come True, Adventure Day!...
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
July 8, 2021
To Serve Humbly
“Polar Bears! Polar Bears! Come on, all you Polar Bears!” traveled through the cabin bays as the lifeguards made their way down to Lake Michigan to start the morning. Brave...
Boys Camp
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
June 29, 2021
A Silver Day
We’re pleased to report that all Miniwanca campers and staff have tested negative for COVID-19. Thank you so much to all our camp families for adhering to our pre-camp COVID-19 protocols and...
Boys Camp
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
June 28, 2021
How Wonderful to Wonder
Summer 2021 has officially begun at Miniwanca! The Media Specialist will share periodic dispatches from Girls Camp and Boys Camp here on the blog. Check back often as we share...
General Updates
February 25, 2021
Conversation Circles Invite Challenge and Growth
Five Saturdays beginning March 13, 2021 Beginning this spring, AYF’s Summer Seminars for Women will offer a series of small group conversation circles. Using The Circle Way, a process developed...
General Updates
September 30, 2020
An Update About Registration
These last six months, our AYF family has gone through many adjustments as the world and our programs changed course. We all continue to live in a time of uncertainty...
General Updates
June 2, 2020
We Must be the Change
The American Youth Foundation stands in solidarity with communities of color who continue to bear the weight of longtime, systemic injustice and who have suffered disproportionately through the COVID-19 crisis....
Uncategorized
April 16, 2020
Adjusting Our Sails
 Over the past month, you have adjusted to changes and experienced the loss of many beloved aspects of your lives. You’ve heeded the call for distancing and made sacrifices...
General Updates
April 15, 2020
AYF Statement on the Coronavirus
Read An Important Update from AYF President Anna Kay Vorsteg For the latest answers to your Frequently Asked Questions, please click here (updated Wednesday, April 15, 2020) Over the past...
General Updates
March 30, 2020
An Invitation to Shelter in Place
By Anna Kay Vorsteg Surely you are aware of the many Executive Orders being issued by Governors at this time. I write to make sure you are equally aware of...
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
National Leadership Conference
March 20, 2020
Playing the Hand We’ve Been Dealt
By Gretchen Clayton It is an understatement to say that this whole coronavirus situation is difficult – for kids, adults, businesses – everyone is affected. In the hope that...
Boys Camp
General Updates
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
February 20, 2020
“Faces around us were lighting up…” A Summer at Miniwanca
Below, Ollie Williamson, a former and current Boys Camp staff member shares his experience of his first summer on staff at Miniwanca. We hope you enjoy and if you’re interested...
Boys Camp
General Updates
Girls Camp
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
December 17, 2019
Seeking Interesting, Interested Adults
“I dare you, whoever you are, to share with others the fruits of your daring. Catch a passion for helping others, and a richer life will come back to you.”...
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
National Leadership Conference
Uncategorized
December 2, 2019
Get into the spirit of #GivingTuesday
As we enter the holiday season, we’re reminded of the power of our positive communities. This year, AYF is participating in the global day of giving on December 3rd. We...
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
August 8, 2019
Our Last Full Day
Happy days indeed, here at Miniwanca. Our Polar Bears went to slip in the dip one last time and enjoy the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan after waking. Our Voyager...
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
August 7, 2019
Ride In
Today at Camp Miniwanca we had a not so typical day. We started off with the famous Doc Wheels Fun Run, where campers get to run on a path that...
Girls Camp
Miniwanca
August 6, 2019
Talent Show
Today we had another typical day filled with campers’ Interest Groups. We started the day with our normal Polar Bear call and Morning Stretch. Today our topic was wonder, and...