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For the last 100 years, American Youth Foundation programs have fostered self-discovery through a balanced approach of personal growth, community building, and interconnected program goals.

Recently, AYF leadership updated its program outcomes to better illustrate how the organization’s timeless approach to youth development best addresses the needs of youth today.

Vice President of Strategic Programs Kris Light said the AYF remains grounded in the original philosophies of the four folds and best self.

“These program outcomes are as important now as ever, and this updated language does not change what we do, but instead further explains the ‘why’ of the AYF’s approach,” he said.

Outcome 1: Discovering and Developing Your Own Best Self
An open, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive is key to helping campers find their best self. Miniwanca Girls Camp Director Bethany Wise said AYF camp programs emphasize the value of individuality, acceptance, and freedom of expression, often reflected in the creative, eclectic costumes campers don for skits.

“Their outer appearance can represent their inner thoughts and feelings,” Wise said. “They’re always coming up with the silliest ways to put pieces together and design characters. I think that’s a great example of this environment fostering authentic self-expression. Outside of camp, so many girls’ clothing choices are scrutinized. Here, they can be themselves.”

Wise said the AYF’s philosophy of “challenge by choice” also supports this program outcome: knowing and accepting that not everyone’s goal will be the same. “During an activity like high ropes, some will aim to make it to the top of the rock wall, others want to go farther than they did the previous time,” she said. “It’s all a path of personal growth and discovery.”

Outcome 2: Growing Through the Four Folds

Once participants begin to identify best self, 2024 Merrowvista Director of Community and School Programs Dayna Vuksinick said they continue to grow through the four folds: mental, physical, social, and reverent (formerly the religious or spiritual fold). Her CSP participants often explore those concepts as they hike for the first time, get to know people who are different from them, and have conversations where everyone may not agree.

Miniwanca Conference, Community, and School Programs Director Michael Harter emphasized it’s important to spend time on the four
folds without expecting or demanding perfection. It’s something he and his fellow National Leadership Conference co-directors have spent a lot of time discussing.

“Young people are surrounded by so many conflicting messages,” he said. “We never want to them to confuse the pursuit of best self and balanced living with the concept of perfection, and we make that distinction in program.”

Light said the four folds serve as a lens through which to view life. “They help participants assess where they are strong and confident and where they would like to grow and challenge themselves,” he said. “The programs then provide opportunities to follow through on that
assessment.”

Outcome 3: Working Together to Build Community

Vuksinick said even just a few days is enough for kids to develop a deeply connected community. She recalled a group of students who asked to hold their senior prom at Merrowvista last year because they wanted to celebrate with the friends they made during a school program in sixth grade.

“Knowing that these kids hadn’t been there in six years, but they still had such a strong connection to us and really felt like they needed to be here to celebrate the end of their time together, was very beautiful to watch — and it was so fun,” she said.

Light said bonds created in these intentional communities do more than create lasting friendships. “When participants work together to achieve a common goal during program, they also develop positive leadership skills and find opportunities to put their best selves into action,” he said. “They recognize their impact as part of a larger whole and their responsibility in caring for and creating a sense of belonging within a community.”

Outcome 4: Making a Positive Difference in the World

The final program outcome is the hardest one to see in the moment, but all the directors have heard from families and teachers about participants who return home and make meaningful change in their lives, whether that’s trying out for a new sport or volunteering in their communities.

“It’s been amazing to see how different they are when they go back home,” Vuksinick said. “They help their families, they seem a lot kinder, and they’re a lot kinder to themselves. And I think that’s important — making that positive difference in yourself, so it turns around and feeds back into the world.”

Wise said each program outcome sets up the others for success. “I see the program outcomes as concentric circles,” she said. “They all
support each other at the same time, with this idea that you’re starting within your innermost self and then bringing that innermost best self out into the world.”

Harter said the foundational four folds and approach to balanced living combined with these updated program outcomes will propel the AYF and the youth it serves into the next 100 years.

“Many program activities look different than they did 100 years ago, but the actual work we do is very similar,” he said. “At the end of every program, we want participants to feel more prepared and empowered as young adults. We believe in their capacities to shape the world and confront issues facing their communities.”