Blog
Find out what's happening at AYF and our camps. You can also view blog posts for summer camp by using the links below:
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July 10, 2023
The outcamping adventures at Merrowvista
One of the biggest parts of the Merrowvista experience is the opportunity to take part in hiking trips. Campers of all ages participate in a …
July 10, 2023
More than just mealtime at Merrowvista
“I’m hungry – when’s lunch?” “Can I have a snack?” “What’s for dessert tonight?” Camp staff hear these questions constantly during a typical day. Mealtime …
July 10, 2023
Miniwanca prepares for final week of Session A fun
This week, Director of Girls Camp Bethany Wise shares what our friends at West Camp have been up to! Session A of Miniwanca is already …
July 7, 2023
Smiles, sunshine and Miniwanca magic kick off summer 2023
Director of Boys Camp Paul Kerchberger checks in this week with dispatches from Miniwanca Boys Camp. This week, Miniwanca welcomed 124 two-week Darers and Pioneers …
July 6, 2023
Welcome to Camp Merrowvista 2023
It was a Silver Opening Day as rain poured on cars driving up the huge hill leading to camp. Energetic staff and leaders waited to …
July 3, 2023
Building Intentional Summer Communities at Merrowvista
Last month, Merrowvista welcomed new and former staff from across the world to prepare for the arrival of this summer’s campers. The staff team spent …
June 29, 2023
Staff Spotlight: Advancement’s Holley Young
Holley Young’s history with the American Youth Foundation started in 1975 when she attended Miniwanca Girl Camp as a Piper. Five weeks later, she was …
June 29, 2023
2023 National Leadership Conference delivers powerful program
More than 150 teens gathered on the sand dunes of Miniwanca for National Leadership Conference. The American Youth Foundation’s oldest program, NLC is a transformative …
June 27, 2023
Merrowvista staff KCISP up for summer camp
The staff at Camp Merrowvista are hard at work getting ready for the arrival of the summer 2023 campers. One unique tradition staffers and campers …
May 25, 2023
Care Teams connect with campers’ mental, emotional health
As they prepared for summer 2022, the American Youth Foundation team was determined to provide a strong network of support for campers struggling with emotional …
May 25, 2023
Annual golf tournament raises nearly $95,000 for AYF youth
More than 85 people took to the links on Monday, May 8 to golf for a good cause on Monday, May 8, raising nearly $95,000 …
May 25, 2023
Nestlé Purina PetCare employees support AYF during Purina Cares Day
Two dozen red-shirted Nestlé Purina PetCare employees gathered outside the American Youth Foundation office in St. Louis on a bright Tuesday morning to learn a …