National Leadership Conference

May 26, 2022
Advancing Toward Our Best
Thank you to all who joined us Tuesday evening at Advancing Toward Our Best! We recorded the webinar for those who weren’t able to make …

March 22, 2022
Enkindled Spirits: Robert Pike
by Dana Rieck High school physics teacher Robert Pike works hard to learn his students’ names within the first three days of each semester, so …

February 18, 2022
Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Michael Harter
Michael Harter’s career has always found him at the intersection of youth empowerment and mental health, a passion he credits to his own foundational experiences …

February 18, 2022
NLC finds closer connection in 2021
by Dana Rieck National Leadership Conference participants were finally able to gather on the dunes of Miniwanca once again in 2021, albeit in a new, …

October 26, 2021
NLC welcomes new co-director team
The future of the National Leadership Conference looks bright in 2022.The American Youth Foundation is pleased to return to the full eight-day conference, welcoming first-year …

December 14, 2020
Important update about NLC 2021
Dear NLC staff, participants, and families, I hope this finds you well despite the very real challenges posed by the pandemic. If only COVID-19 were …

October 28, 2020
From the Archives: National Leadership Conference
by Karen Reimer and Jan Strube The origins of the National Leadership Conference are rooted in the earliest days of the American Youth Foundation. Learn …
July 16, 2020
NLC-Z 2020: Final Presentations
In mid-June, participants from NLC convened online for this year’s National Leadership Conference on Zoom. They engaged in programming that connected them with their community, …

July 8, 2020
Learn to be an active anti-racist ally with Kids4Peace Boston
The American Youth Foundation’s longstanding partner, Kids4Peace Boston, is offering a free online training for preteens and teenagers who want to learn more about anti-racism work and how they can enact …
May 21, 2020
DePauw University Prindle Institute partners with NLC
Members of the National Leadership Conference Second Year class sat in small groups, listening intently as Dr. Andrew Cullison, Director of the Prindle Institute for …
March 20, 2020
Playing the Hand We’ve Been Dealt
By Gretchen Clayton It is an understatement to say that this whole coronavirus situation is difficult – for kids, adults, businesses – everyone is …

December 2, 2019
Get into the spirit of #GivingTuesday
As we enter the holiday season, we’re reminded of the power of our positive communities. This year, AYF is participating in the global day of …