Summer Seminars for Women

Cultivating connection

july 30 to aug. 3, 2025

Summer Seminars for Women is a five-day retreat offering a unique opportunity for women across multiple generations to come together for learning, reflection, connection, and fun through individual and group activities. The American Youth Foundation mission is the bedrock of our work, and our programs are intentionally designed to encourage participants of all ages to unleash their best.

Join SSW for a retreat that will feed your mind, body, and soul as we connect with each other at beautiful Miniwanca in West Michigan. Miniwanca provides a natural environment to gather and share stories and experiences as we learn more about ourselves and each other. All are welcome to join this community building, friendship, and fun in a circle of wonderful women.

Summer 2025 Pricing

2025 Rate

$500

Rate includes dormitory-style lodging, all meals, and activities.

2025 Speakers

This year’s theme is cultivating Connection

Lisa Gies

"What Stories Are You Cultivating?"

In a world where noise and distractions can be so great and constant, we seldom find time and space to quiet the mind and body so we may hear our inner voice. This wise voice deep within can help us remember who we are at our core and how we wish to “show up” in the world. Lisa will invite us to explore our outer and inner worlds and consider how we integrate them into wholeness.

This session will reflect on how humans fit into our larger natural environment by exploring the amazing similarities between us and our closest living biological relatives, primates (like apes and monkeys).

Scientists have long leaned on primate studies to broaden their understanding of human behavior and health. In some primate species, females hold the power in the group, are highly cooperative, have lasting relationships, and spend long periods of time caring for their young. Our SSW community will learn more about parallels between primates and humans to reshape and strengthen our understanding of our own experiences as women.

Jennifer will share what sparked her passion for studying primates and why her work has shifted toward collaboratively growing local conservation efforts and environmental stewardship. Just as SSW brings together women from all walks of life to create community, Jennifer owes her unlikely life path to women guides and mentors who encouraged her to pursue meaning and paths less traveled.

Jennifer also develops training and education programs for an affordable, cooperative housing nonprofit organization. She lives in Milwaukee with her family and enjoys being a mother to two fun daughters. Attending Summer Seminars for Women in 2023 was her opportunity to fulfill her childhood dream of experiencing sleepaway camp.

Katie Calagui

"Cultivating Courage: Being Loyal to Our Dreams"

This session is designed to help women bring more of their wisdom and passion into the world. We will learn how to work with our inner critic and connect with our inner mentor to play bigger in our life and work.

During this session, Meredith will guide us through an interactive and introspective process called SoulCollage®. As a trained SoulCollage® Facilitator, Meredith will support our group as we create our intuitive collages using a variety of images. There are many ways we can quiet our minds, and simply be in conversation with and listen to ourselves.

Using the materials we will have available on site (as well as what participants will bring), our morning will include a fascinating mix of learning, creating, doing, sharing, and observing. Being in community while exploring our own pathways, how we travelled them, and how we honor the people who have helped light the way in our lives will culminate into a unique and illuminating creation to take home.

Questions?

Holley Young

Director of Adult Programs