About 40 students recently gathered for the Michigan Middle School Leadership Initiative, a youth empowerment program at Miniwanca. In four days, they built a community and discussed how to create...

More than 60 people descended on Miniwanca for four days in September to pursue their personal bests during Spark, the American Youth Foundation’s retreat for adults. This is the third...

Sydney Freeman is often the first person people meet when they arrive at Miniwanca and the first voice they hear on the phone. As Office Manager, Freeman knows her role...

Chicago-area youth got a chance to experience summer camp for the first time this month at Dare to Adventure, a four-day outdoor educational experience at Miniwanca. This is the second...

Girls Camp Director Bethany Wise is back with another dispatch from Miniwanca! If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone refer to “the real world” at camp,...

Assistant Camp Director Brianna Moynihan recaps the last week of interest groups during Session A. I cannot believe it’s last week of Session A for Camp Miniwanca Summer 2024! We...

Girls Camp Director Bethany Wise recaps the Fourth of July festivities this year. Camp Miniwanca 2024 is off to a flying start! We welcomed over 100 campers for our first...

Four Trails Manager Regan Gibson Wiesler recaps the first week of summer 2024 at Miniwanca. The first week of camp has been an incredible journey filled with excitement, new friendships,...

Three cheers are in order for four Oceana County teens whose volunteer efforts were recently recognized by United Way of the Lakeshore in west Michigan. Aubriana Foster, Zen Jones, Sova...

Miniwanca Assistant Director of Camps Brianna Moynihan has attended summer camp for as long as she remembers: as a camper, then a counselor, and a director. She is passionate about...

Tiwi Freeman can never stay away from the American Youth Foundation too long. He first connected with the AYF in 2010 through Merrowvista, where he worked in a variety of...

Spark, the American Youth Foundation’s retreat for adults, returns to Miniwanca for its third year from September 12 to 15. AYF Director of Adult Programs Holley Young is pleased to...

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...

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....

The American Youth Foundation’s Summer Seminars for Women celebrates its 36th year in 2024. Its longevity and popularity couldn’t be sustained without dedicated leadership, and AYF Director of Adult Programs...

There are two upcoming opportunities to meet Miniwanca staff and learn what summer camp 2024 is all about! Bring a friend and find out what makes Miniwanca so special! Join...

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...

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...