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 …

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