Frequently Asked Questions

• As the season unfolds, we will be developing programming at a distance via “Best Self Every Day”.
• We are working on building forums where campers can connect with their peers and we have every intention in gathering in community in whatever way can.
• We also assume that our campers themselves will help to inform how we best do this by sharing what they’re most interested in. We look forward to hearing their voice and welcoming their creativity!

• Please click the “Submit a Suggestion” link at the end of this page to submit your ideas.

• Please encourage them to attend our staff facilitated conversation groups in the upcoming weeks. You learn more via Merrowvista’s Virtual Valley and Miniwanca’s Cyber Sand Dunes.
• We encourage you and them to invite their camp friends to attend as well. This way, the conversations they’re having with their peers will be facilitated and we can work to help steer them in a healthy direction.
• Using these forums, we will also share resources and sources of inspiration and support to help us all learn how to navigate these unprecedented times.

• We have made a strong effort to communicate to all of our stakeholder groups, but we assume that there are some people who are not yet in the know for a variety of reasons. Please share this news with all who would be impacted by this decision.

• These are difficult times. This pandemic-induced program interruption has meant the elimination of nearly all program revenue for this year and, as a result, the loss of need for 12 beloved staff members’ positions. In addition to these layoffs, our Senior Leadership Team has also taken a reduction in pay.
• We are so grateful for the generosity of so many in our Founder Family. We also ask for your continued financial gifts to support our ongoing work, maintaining sites and systems to ensure our swift return to mission-supporting programs.

• Thank you so much for thinking of the AYF in these difficult times! There are several ways you can help. We are looking forward to offering fun, engaging, and creative virtual programs throughout the summer season and welcome your feedback and input.
• When it is safe to do so, we will look to schedule work weekends and other community and volunteer events.
• We anticipate many volunteer opportunities that will be available when we open programs again at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. Please stay tuned for more information about Volunteer Weekends and opportunities to volunteer for programs such as summer camps and the National Leadership Conference.
• The AYF would gladly welcome a donation in support of our virtual programming efforts to continue supporting our mission of inspiring youth of all ages.

Recognizing the importance of giving people access to natural outdoor spaces, AYF has revisited our site usage policy. We have shifted our policy to make it possible for small groups of individuals to safely access the Miniwanca and Merrowvista grounds.

Important points:

• As we shape programming for next year our goal will be to meet as many needs as possible. We are going to be more flexible than ever in the hopes of honoring each camper’s progression through the camp program. We’ll be taking the coming months to define what this might look like and will be in touch as soon as we know more about next year’s programs.

• We hope that this will have very little impact! We plan to do exactly what was planned for 2020 in 2021 instead.
• NLC participants will stay with the same class and year that they were enrolled in for 2020. For example, if for this summer (2020) you were going to be a 2nd year, you will still be a 2nd year for the 2021 program. The plan is for each class together and for everyone to receive the full NLC experience.

• The AYF works in conjunction with local schools, so camp dates for summer 2021 will be set as schools release their 2020-2021 calendars. We will let you know summer 2021 dates as soon as we are able.

• Yes, we remain hopeful to offer these programs at a later date, but it is too early to say what this will look like. Stay tuned for details!

• We plan to honor your own progression and your trip group’s progression through the Four Trails program. We’ll be taking the coming months to define what this might look like and plan to reach out to individual program areas (Explorer, Adventurer, Voyageur, Odyssey, and Vista) when we know more about next year’s programs.

• We encourage you to stay connected with your trip group through the Miniwanca or Merrowvista online slack communities found via the Best Self Every Day section of the website. If you need help contacting specific individuals within your trip group, please reach out to us directly and we can help facilitate that connection.

• AYF will gladly refund your registration(s) in full with all fees waived. Due to the high volume of refunds, we will process refunds on or before May 15^th, 2020. We apologize for any inconvenience.
• We will be in touch with you directly to discuss your refund options.
• We would be grateful for you to donate a portion of your tuition refund to help AYF to navigate this difficult chapter. More information will be available before the May 15 refund date.
• Refunds for Merrowvista and Miniwanca camp programs will occur first; followed by refunds for the National Leadership Conference a week later.
• You will receive communications for refunds for camp and Conference separately if you are enrolled in both.

• Yes, absolutely! We will be in touch with you directly to discuss your refund options. You will have the option to roll your tuition payment forward to hold a spot for 2021.

• We appreciate the current challenges of planning for the future. At any point prior to February 1, 2021, AYF will fully refund you any funds that you are rolling forward. After February 1, 2021 AYF’s standard refund policy will apply.

• We are ready to begin hiring for summer 2021 today!
• We hope that if you have been offered a position for this summer that you will immediately consider joining us for the season ahead.
• Please reach out to your hiring director to secure your spot.

• Those of you who had planned to be on staff, we are looking to still engage you in healthy ways to support this community.
• We appreciate that so many of you have offered to support.
• We will look to find ways to tap your capacities and share your gifts!