Summer Seminars for Women
Registration opens January 2026!
july 29 to aug. 2, 2026
Summer Seminars for Women is a five-day retreat offering a unique opportunity for women across multiple generations to come together for learning, reflection, connection, and fun through individual and group activities. The American Youth Foundation mission is the bedrock of our work, and our programs are intentionally designed to encourage participants of all ages to unleash their best.
New for 2026!
- Summer Seminars for Women will explore West and East Camp, where the adventure team will offer low ropes interest groups.
- More full-time Miniwanca staff will support the program
- More inter-generational interaction with the Girls Camp community.
- An optional add-on day Aug. 3 for an additional cost.
Join SSW for a retreat that will feed your mind, body, and soul as we connect with each other at beautiful Miniwanca in West Michigan. Miniwanca provides a natural environment to gather and share stories and experiences as we learn more about ourselves and each other. All are welcome to join this community building, friendship, and fun in a circle of wonderful women.
Summer 2026 Pricing
2026 Rate
$650 to $750
Rate includes dormitory-style lodging, all meals, and activities.
2026 Speakers
Amy Powell
Author, Thought-Leader, Connector, Community Builder
Amy Powell – author of Rise Like a Woman, storyteller, and seasoned leadership coach – helps women navigate the often-confusing mazes, hierarchies, and unspoken norms of the working world and the world we live in. She's worked globally with senior leaders and currently focuses on coaching groups and individuals.
Whether you’re in a “job that pays,” volunteering, or any of the many identities women have, Amy is committed to helping you pursue what feels meaningful, energizing, and authentic. Where do we find our allies and champions? Drawing on 30 years of coaching and 15 years of leading her signature program, Women on the Rise, Amy will share reflections, practical exercises, and actionable strategies to help you move through messy or challenging situations with clarity … and to find a team or community of your own who can help you grow into what’s right for you.
Joy Kiefer
Teacher, Mindfulness Practitioner, and Co-Seeker
Joy Zalis Kiefer, PhD, CPCC, is a personal, leadership, and team development coach who helps people grow with clarity, confidence, and compassion. As the founder of JZK Coaching and Leadership Development, she brings over 20 years experience in coaching, higher education, and organizational leadership to her work with individuals and groups.
Joy is trained in Internal Family Systems (Level 2) and is a certified Effortless Mindfulness facilitator, integrating both into a grounded, accessible approach to personal and professional growth. Whether supporting leaders, teams, or individuals navigating personal challenges, Joy creates spaces that foster insight, skill-building, and meaningful change. Joy subscribes to an “each one can teach one” philosophy, and her experiential session will include creating awareness-building and befriending our own inner leader.
