As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Merrowvista and Miniwanca reopen to campers for one, three-week session at each site, and the National Leadership Conference resumes program at reduced capacity. The Four Trails program remains paused, giving rise to the Wayfinder program.
2025
The American Youth Foundation rings in its centennial, celebrating 100 transformational years.
2024: The Reverential Fold
Liz Marshall is named the 10th President and CEO of the AYF, formerly the Executive Director role. The AYF evolves the language used in the four-fold emblem to meet the current needs of youth in America. The R-Fold, formerly known as the religious fold, is renamed the reverential fold. The change is meant to be inclusive of participants who observe …
2020: The COVID-19 Pandemic
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AYF makes the difficult decision to cancel all programs at Miniwanca and Merrowvista for the first time in the organization’s history. The programming teams pivot from their camp preparations and embrace virtual program options, called Invincible Summer. More than 200 participants joined AYF staff from July 6 to July 31 for free, virtual …
2018
Miniwanca remodels the Fire Circle (Council Circle).
2014
The AYF announces the five-year In Motion, On Mission capital campaign to preserve the tradition and legacy of the AYF. The campaign exceeded its $4 million goal, with $1.6 million going to facilities restoration, $2.8 million to program scholarships and operations, and an additional $5.8 million pledged as future gifts.
2012
Central Michigan University initiates a four-year, longitudinal study at Miniwanca to assess personal development of National Leadership Conference participants. Responses from more than 550 participants indicate NLC is highly effective at helping young people with self-efficacy, stress management, time efficiency, and coping with change.
2010
The AYF serves more than 7,000 participants at Merrowvista and Miniwanca, the most in the history of the organization, thanks to growing demand and alumni support providing financial assistance.
2008: Reducing our carbon footprint
The AYF enacts several clean energy initiatives at Merrowvista and Miniwanca to better steward the natural environment. These initiatives included comprehensive winterization so buildings can be completely removed from the energy grid during off-seasons, construction of a solar hot water collector at Merrowvista, the installation of a small wind turbine for educational demonstrations at Miniwanca (2010), and the installation of …
2004
Anna Kay Vorsteg is named the ninth AYF Executive Director and serves for 20 years. She is the first woman in the role. Merrowvista completes construction of White Mountain Eating Lodge. Merrowvista preserved original the four-fold seal from above the fireplace. It remains in the current eating lodge today.
2001: Dare to Share
The AYF launches the Dare to Share campaign, raising $5.4 million in program and annual fund support. This successful campaign unlocked a $24.9 million facilities endowment from the Danforth Foundation. The Danforth Challenge required the AYF to increase their annual fund support and increase special program support. In four years, this campaign funds multiple facilities projects at Miniwanca and Merrowvista, …
1999
Following the growing national service movement, the AYF sponsors 90 full-time AmeriCorps volunteers to work with 1,000 elementary and middle school children in the St. Louis public schools.
1997
The first International Leadership Conference class graduates from Cedar Lake. The Odyssey hiking trip through the 100-Mile Wilderness in Maine is established.
1995
National Leadership Conference includes workshops designed for AYF by National Conference of Christians and Jews focused on Dismantling Racism.
1993: National Recognition and Year-Round Expansion
The White House invites Executive Director Bob MacArthur to represent the AYF when President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act into law. The legislation provides state funding to promote community service for youth and adults. Clinton’s invitation supports growing national recognition for the AYF’s work. Also that year, the AYF expands facilities at both sites to …
1992
At Merrowvista, Vespers is changed to Evening Reflections to promote inclusive ideals, and the Farmhouse is renovated and dedicated. At Miniwanca, the Mills Reception Center is opened at the former Grover’s Motel. Moving the main office to West Garfield Road improves postal service access.
1991
The AYF welcomes its first intern class at Merrowvista.
1990
The AYF begins discussion with Cedar Lake Camp in California to explore other campus options for youth programs.
