Miniwanca

April 27, 2022
Miniwanca to rebuild deteriorating Assembly
After years of leaning and disuse, the beloved Assembly at Miniwanca will see new life in 2023. Visitors to Girls Camp last year saw the …

April 27, 2022
Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Emily Knuth
One of Emily Jones Knuth’s fondest camp memories is serving as Quad Leader in eighth grade and again as a high school senior. She relished …

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 …

January 25, 2022
Honoring the legacy of the Fellowship Building at Miniwanca
Miniwanca has seen many significant improvements to its facilities in recent years, including extensive renovation of the West Eating Lodge and more than 50 cabins …

January 25, 2022
All welcome to join virtual spring programs
The American Youth Foundation experience extends long past when participants complete youth programs at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. As both sites prepare to welcome adults back …

December 3, 2021
Staff Spotlight: Regan Gibson Wiesler
Regan Gibson Wiesler first encountered the American Youth Foundation when she attended National Leadership Conference in 2012, an experience that created lasting bonds with her …

October 26, 2021
Science explains the magic of Polar Bear at Miniwanca
“Polar Bear, Polar Bear – rah, rah, rah! Polar Bear, Polar Bear – ha! ha! ha!” So chant the voices of campers on the shores …

July 17, 2021
Effervescent Sparks
Three weeks ago, Camp Miniwanca sprang to life after 18 months of cocooning and the first missed summer in almost 100 years. The sacred spaces …

July 13, 2021
To Aspire Nobly
As our three-week voyage of discovery heads into its final few days, the community has become deeply intertwined, cabins feel like home, and everyone has …

July 9, 2021
Dreams Come True, Adventure Day!
At Miniwanca, Quads support each other and people flourish as they dare to dream. The golden sun shined brightly above downtown Miniwanca to kick off …

July 8, 2021
To Serve Humbly
“Polar Bears! Polar Bears! Come on, all you Polar Bears!” traveled through the cabin bays as the lifeguards made their way down to Lake Michigan …

July 6, 2021
A Golden Day
After the Polar Bears went for a dip, a golden Miniwanca day began with a morning stretch that included learning the dance moves to the …