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Community and School Programs
Merrowvista
November 26, 2024
Merrowvista internship program leaves lasting impact
Merrowvista Community and School Programs provide growth opportunities to thousands of kids and teens, but there’s another key group that benefits, too. The dedicated internship cohorts who develop and run...
Merrowvista
August 29, 2024
First Merrowvista Spark enkindles a new community
Merrowvista welcomed 20 eager participants to its first Spark, a three-day retreat for adults, Aug. 23 to 25. AYF Director of Adult Programs Holley Young said it was a joy...
Merrowvista
July 23, 2024
Merrowvista wraps Session A with Four Fold Tournament
As we wrapped up Session A last week, we reflected on all our Trailblazers and Pioneers have accomplished. I loved seeing all these wild and fun campers have achieved. They...
Merrowvista
July 18, 2024
Merrowvista campers embrace life on trail
As we approach the end of session A, every cabin group (called Villages at camp) has taken some sort of outdoor adventure trip. Whether it was an overnight at the...
Merrowvista
July 18, 2024
Merrowvista bids farewell to Session A
Camp Director Katsu Okuma is back with another dispatch from Merrowvista as camp prepares to say goodbye to Session A and welcome Session B campers....
Merrowvista
July 9, 2024
Welcoming summer at the Merrowvista waterfront
Hello everyone! My name is Audrey, and I am the waterfront coordinator this summer at Merrowvista. This past week, the waterfront has become a focal point of camp activities, and...
Merrowvista
July 2, 2024
Summer 2024 kicks off in Canaan Valley
Summer camp 2024 has officially begun at Merrowvista! Our first campers arrived on Sunday, and we’re already making new friends and building community in the Canaan Valley....
Merrowvista
June 26, 2024
Merrowvista prepares for summer camp 2024
Only 4 more days until Session A Opening Day! Interim Camp Director Katsu Okuma and the season staff are hard at work preparing Merrowvista for our first campers of the...
Merrowvista
May 29, 2024
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Mads “Earl” Chomentowski
The Four Trails program at Miniwanca first sparked Mads Chomentowski’s love for outdoor adventure when they were a teen. Now, Mads (better known as “Earl” to the Miniwanca community) will...
Merrowvista
April 12, 2024
AYF expands Spark Adult Retreat to Merrowvista
The American Youth Foundation is pleased to launch its Spark Adult Retreat at Merrowvista from August 23 to 25. Registration is now open. Director of Adult Programs Holley Young said...
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
February 20, 2024
Register now for Miniwanca, Merrowvista Volunteer Weekends
The entire family is invited to lend a hand this spring at Miniwanca and Merrowvista! This year, Volunteer Weekend takes place April 26 to 28 at Miniwanca and May 17...
Merrowvista
February 20, 2024
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Katsu Okuma
Katsu Okuma wasn’t a “camp kid” growing up. Instead, he spent summers traveling around Ohio playing baseball. The camp bug finally got him in high school when he attended the...
Founder Fire
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
February 14, 2024
AYF facilities teams build on legacy
Before sites are flooded with summer campers, the facilities teams at Miniwanca and Merrowvista prioritize larger structural projects that enhance the quality of life for staff and campers each year....
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
January 29, 2024
The AYF welcomes President Liz Marshall
The American Youth Foundation is proud to officially welcome Liz Marshall to her new role as president and CEO of the organization. As the AYF announced in October 2023, former...
Merrowvista
January 19, 2024
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Jamie Sweetser
Seven years ago, Jamie Sweetser’s family friend Kim Novotny convinced her to try something new. She joined the seasonal kitchen team at Merrowvista and, under Novotny’s guidance as Food Program...
Boys Camp
Founder Fire
Girls Camp
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
National Leadership Conference
January 11, 2024
Miniwanca, Merrowvista programs are fun with intention
On a clear summer evening, a group of Four Trails campers gather around a fire. They’ve just eaten a meal they prepared after a day of kayaking and have finally...
General Updates
Merrowvista
Miniwanca
August 18, 2023
Working at Summer Camp: More than Just a Job
At first glance, it may not be obvious how coordinating a high-energy skit or Night’s Doings correlates to an office environment. However, plenty of former seasonal Merrowvista and Miniwanca staff...
Merrowvista
August 18, 2023
Merrowvista wraps up summer 2023
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...