National Leadership Conference

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 …

Living Your Best Window 2018

October 20, 2018

Remembering Marie Prange Oetting

Marie Prange Oetting had a life-long involvement with the American Youth Foundation and embraced the timeless mission of balanced living and best self as an …

Juniors jump on Lake Michigan beach

April 21, 2018

PICOUP Award

We are thrilled to share with the AYF community that Anna Kay Vorsteg has been awarded the Association for Experiential Education’s 2018 PICOUP Award. Each year, …

Sun sets over Lake Michigan at Miniwanca beach

March 30, 2018

Remembering Jean Booker

Jean Booker was a committed educator and fervent advocate for youth. Over her years with the AYF, she was the driving force behind efforts to …

National Leadership Conference Participants perform and scream at Camp Miniwanca

March 26, 2018

NLC: Updating Tradition and Working Towards our Best

By the NLC Team My own self, At my very best, All the time is a moving target. Our best self requires a commitment to …

Merrowvista Voyageur Campers Embrace

March 23, 2018

Enkindled Spirits

In AYF programs we often speak about the power of enkindled spirits; how one enkindled spirit has the power to change the world by sharing …

February 16, 2018

My Own Self, At My Very Best, All the Time…Especially When It’s Hard

By Heather Kiley Vice President, AYF My own self, At my very best, All the time, especially when it’s hard. That’s what we practice in AYF. …

December 6, 2017

Remembering Steve Schrepper

Dear Friends, We write with great sadness to share that Steve Schrepper, Facilities Manager at Miniwanca, passed away on Monday morning from late stage stomach cancer. …

Basketball court through Merrowvista fall foliage

November 9, 2017

A Season of Thanks & Giving

By Scott Myers I was out for a walk with my dog and my daughter the other day when I saw a young boy, no …

November 6, 2017

A Look Back at Best Self

This is the unabridged version of the article originally published in the 2017 Founder Fire, released in November. By Samme Orwig Whether you’ve attended camp …