national leadership conference
February 20, 2024
2024 NLC Class Challenge kicks off March 4
The National Leadership Conference community is a prime example of serving humbly. Each summer, dozens of dedicated volunteers staff the American Youth Foundation’s longest running …
January 11, 2024
Miniwanca, Merrowvista programs are fun with intention
On a clear summer evening, a group of Four Trails campers gather around a fire. They’ve just eaten a meal they prepared after a day …
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 …
April 24, 2023
NLC volunteer staff serve humbly
The National Leadership Conference roared back to life in summer 2022 after two years of virtual and abbreviated gatherings and brought with it a fresh …
February 27, 2023
Purina Leadership Labs expand AYF reach across the country
The American Youth Foundation continues to connect with new communities across the country. Recently, nearly 50 teenagers in Iowa experienced a taste of the AYF’s …
January 18, 2023
NLC Class Challenge raises $10,000 for 2023 scholarships
National Leadership Conference classes form strong bonds during this transformative four-year program – bonds that hold tight long after their last fire circle together. In …
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 …
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 …