AYF Centennial

Our First 100 Years

Explore highlights from the American Youth Foundation's 100-year history and learn more about the evolution of our youth development organization. Curious to learn more? Dig deep into the AYF Online Archives and share your own camp memorabilia.

1911

Founders John L. Alexander, William H. Danforth, Preston G. Orwig and Richard A. “Dad” Waite meet at a conference in Lake George, New York.

1914

The Founders pioneer the first youth camp conference based on the principles of four-fold, balanced living at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, Geneva Point on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, and Geneva Glen in Colorado. The four folds are defined as the mental, physical, social, and religious.

1915

Lyford A. Merrow and Danforth meet at the conference in Geneva Point. Inspired by the four-fold principles, Merrow makes plans to secure the land for Merrowvista and prepare the site for youth.

1924

Pursuing a broader vision of youth leadership education, the founders establish the American Youth Foundation to train people for leadership in all life’s vocations. They create the AYF motto, “My own self, at my very best, all the time.”

1925: The American Youth Foundation

The American Youth Foundation is incorporated on March 31, 1925, with Danforth as President, Walter Scott Athearn as Vice President, Lansing F. Smith as Treasurer, Alexander as Director, Waite as Associate Director, and Orwig as Associate Director and Editor. John Alexander serves as Executive Director (1925 – 1932). The founders…
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1926

William H. Danforth gives all participants at Merrowvista and Miniwanca the first founder medals, daring them to share the message of the AYF in their home communities. At Miniwanca, the Assembly Building is completed in time for Younger Girls camp, Older Boys camp, and Older Girls camp.

1928

At Miniwanca, Marie “Horace” Shaver becomes the director of Younger Girls Camp, and Council Circle and Tipi Wakan (now known as the Lake Michigan Lodge) are built.

1929

The New Hampshire Class House is built at Merrowvista.

1930

Marie Shaver becomes the Associate Director of the AYF and serves in this role for 30 years. At Merrowvista, wooden cabins were built to replace tents and tent platforms. At Miniwanca, the first Younger Boys program begins at East Camp and Stony View is constructed.

1931

William H. Danforth publishes his book “I Dare You!” sharing Alexander’s four-fold concept and Danforth’s Stand Tall, Think Tall, Smile Tall, and Live Tall philosophy. AYF donates part of its Lake Michigan property to Benona Township to create a new public park.