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The songs, stories, and lessons learned through American Youth Foundation programs are the throughline that connects generations of the Gehres family. Tony Gehres first experienced them as a Merrowvista camper in the early 1970s, and he watched his daughters Sarah and Lily Gehres experience those same moments as campers and staff members the last 12 years. Here, he shares why the AYF will continue to be part of his family’s story.

What sets the AYF programs apart from other youth development programs?
“The AYF targets multifaceted participant growth both individually and through kind and caring community experiences that support and protect each other’s vulnerabilities.”

What is one way the AYF impacted you and your family?
“Three generations (so far) of my family have shared the four-fold way and AYF camp experiences both the same and different, including my mother’s involvement in National Leadership Conference around 1950, my three siblings and my Merrowvista camp summers in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and my children and niece and nephew more recently. Throughout all the life changes among us, our camp experiences, songs, and stories have provided a supportive thread that helps tie us together.”

Why do you support the AYF today?
“My family and I are better people because of our AYF experiences, and I want AYF to continue offering its current and new programs. Also, I received generous tuition assistance when I attended Merrowvista and hope to help create the same financial resources for campers who otherwise would not be able to participate.”

Why should others support the AYF through financial gifts or volunteering?
“First, over the last 100 years, the AYF has successfully delivered balanced and impactful youth development programming, so the AYF is a great investment whether personal or philanthropic. Second, the recent pandemic resulted in many camps never reopening and causing others even now to close after struggling to recover. The AYF has survived, but additional resources will enable it to return to and even grow beyond pre-2020 programming levels.”