Today is the day! This silver Michigan morning opened up its skies and let the sun shine through! The sun was just as excited to meet the campers as we...

May has arrived with beautiful weather and sunshine here at Miniwanca, and with it comes the reminder that summer camp 2018 begins in less than 2 months. At Miniwanca we...

We are thrilled to share with the AYF community that Anna Kay Vorsteg has been awarded the Association for Experiential Education’s 2018 PICOUP Award. Each year, AEE Northeast members have the...

We  are saddened to share that longtime camper Ryan Thomas died unexpectedly on April 16, 2018. Ryan spent many summers growing up at Miniwanca, following the tradition of his Great Uncle,...

We don’t matter much, but the children do. Show them daisies and the pale hepatica. Teach them the taste of sassafras and wintergreen . . . Give them the fields and the woods...

Jean Booker was a committed educator and fervent advocate for youth. Over her years with the AYF, she was the driving force behind efforts to give equal access to AYF...

By the NLC Team My own self, At my very best, All the time is a moving target. Our best self requires a commitment to growth and change as we...

In AYF programs we often speak about the power of enkindled spirits; how one enkindled spirit has the power to change the world by sharing their light and their gifts...

By Heather Kiley Vice President, AYF My own self, At my very best, All the time, especially when it’s hard. That’s what we practice in AYF. We acknowledge that the more...

Leadership is at the heart of Miniwanca’s programs, as outstanding role models provide guidance and inspiration for our campers and staff. This fall we conducted a nationwide search for a...

“In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” -Albert Camus Margaret “Gigs” Hoerner is long-time Miniwanca Girl. A camper for eight years,...

Dear Friends, We write with great sadness to share that Steve Schrepper, Facilities Manager at Miniwanca, passed away on Monday morning from late stage stomach cancer. All of us remember Steve...

By Scott Myers I was out for a walk with my dog and my daughter the other day when I saw a young boy, no older than 10. He was...

This is the unabridged version of the article originally published in the 2017 Founder Fire, released in November. By Samme Orwig Whether you’ve attended camp for one season or twenty,...

2018 John Sterling McCarthy passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018. Full Obituary 2017 Marlene Pierce Marlene Pierce, wife of “Daddy Don” Pierce, passed away on December 17, 2017 in...

“We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well,...

Miniwanca Magic: it’s something we talk a lot about, especially as we near the end of the summer each year. Campers comment on how amazing it is to be part...

Today is the last full day at Miniwanca. We continue to be astonished that the session is nearly over. Campers came out in full force this morning to get in...