Inspired by the early civil rights movement, the AYF actively seeks to increase the number of campers and staff from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Merrowvista builds new villages to meet growing numbers of campers and introduces hogans, covered wagons designed for outcamping adventures.
At Merrowvista, the first two- to three-day White Mountain climbing trips for Older Boys campers begin, and New Jersey lodge is built through the generosity of New Jersey alumni and friends.
A fire breaks out during lunch on the last day of Younger Girls camp at Miniwanca. Horace and Dorty sends seasonal staff out of the building to call for help and monitor the situation, then instructs the campers to grab some fruit and head straight down to the beach. Dorty makes sure all the campers face the water so they …
A second Council Circle is built at Miniwanca East Camp for the Younger Boys program.
F. Robert Steiger is named the third Executive Director of the AYF and serves until 1963.
Miniwanca replaces tents with the first primitive cabins, simple structures that used the existing tent platforms with supports at the four corners, roofs, and canvas flaps for walls.
Miniwanca builds a new Eating Lodge on the site of the original at West Camp. The new Eating Lodge features a lamella-style roof, which is self-supporting without pillars or posts, providing a large floor space. The architect used the same design at the former St. Louis Arena hockey rink, also called the Checkerdome.
Older Boys and Older Girls programs recommence at Merrowvista after eight years, under the leadership of Director Dave Green. At Miniwanca, OB and OG class donations fund the construction of The Fellowship Center, and rocks from each of the 49 states are included in the fireplace.
On Labor Day, several Merrowvista alumni meet at Sentinel Lodge to launch a grassroots campaign to reopen Merrowvista after its closure during WWII. Dedicated volunteers run the camp for three years before its official reopening, with camp operations transferred back to AYF.
Miniwanca replaces a wooden bridge over Stony Creek with a concrete one for easier access to the camp.
The United States’ involvement in WWII impacts every aspect of life in America. Rising to the challenges of the time, AYF programs are adjusted to meet the needs of a wartime world. The country implements national sugar and fuel rations, and the camps and the families they serve feel the strain. Merrowvista closes due to lack of supplies. Miniwanca remains open, …
The I Dare You! Leadership Award is created and available to every secondary school and 4-H program in the U.S. and Canada. All recipients get a certificate and a copy of “I Dare You!” At Miniwanca, The AYF builds the Church of the Dunes.
Merrowvista upgrades the Bahn, including the installation of a gas generator.
Merrowvista establishes its first Younger Girls camp program, which runs until 1942 during the temporary closure of the camp during World War II.
The poet Osbert Warmingham, known as “Kodaya,” joins the AYF staff to support camper recruitment efforts.
At Miniwanca, the AYF builds the I Dare You! Library and completes the Council Circle after seven years. Dune control efforts began to protect the height of Vesper Dune. Merrowvista establishes their first Younger Boys camp program.
In New Hampshire, more land is acquired in the Ossipee and Sentinel Mountains, expanding Merrowvista to 400 acres. At Miniwanca, electric lighting is installed in the Assembly Building, Eating Lodge, and Tipi-Wakan.
Founder Preston G. Orwig is named the second Executive Director of the AYF and serves in the role until 1957.
