staff spotlight
February 20, 2024
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Katsu Okuma
Katsu Okuma wasn’t a “camp kid” growing up. Instead, he spent summers traveling around Ohio playing baseball. The camp bug finally got him in high …
January 19, 2024
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Jamie Sweetser
Seven years ago, Jamie Sweetser’s family friend Kim Novotny convinced her to try something new. She joined the seasonal kitchen team at Merrowvista and, under …
August 10, 2023
Staff Spotlight: AYF’s Kris Light
Kris Light has a 20-year history with the American Youth Foundation. His foundation with the AYF began as a seasonal Four Trails leader, camp coordinator, …
August 10, 2023
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Dayna Vuksinick
Dayna Vuksinick never intended to work with kids as a career. In fact, the Utah native thought she’d use her outdoor education degree as a …
August 10, 2023
Staff Spotlight: AYF’s Romauld Dugue
Information Technology Manager Romauld Dugue works behind the scenes at the American Youth Foundation, ensuring the three sites stay connected to deliver quality youth programming …
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 …
May 22, 2023
Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Griffin Vogler
Director of Miniwanca Griffin Vogler brought her passion for community, mentorship, and inspirational growth to the American Youth Foundation in 2020 after a 10-year career …
April 26, 2023
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Aubrie Boyd
Aubrie Boyd grew up loving summer camp life, from her first sleepaway camp experience at Camp Wyandot in Ohio to her role as a seasonal …
March 24, 2023
Staff Spotlight: Advancement’s Sandra George
Miniwanca was a transformative force in Sandra George’s life. She returned to camp summer after summer, first as a camper and National Leadership Conference participant, …
December 13, 2022
Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Bethany Wise
Miniwanca Girls Camp Director Bethany Wise is new to the American Youth Foundation, but not to the world of youth development and outdoor education. Bethany …
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 …
March 25, 2022
Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Jamie O’Hagin
Jamie O’Hagin knows what it’s like to be the nervous new kid at camp. A bully tarnished her only prior camp experience, and she was …