Beth (Walker) Dunn (she/her) attended Miniwanca in the ’90s. At 13, she nervously embarked on her first Four Trails trip. With her amazing cohort, she returned summer after summer to canoe, backpack and bike around the Great Lakes and Canadian wilderness. Her most epic journey was in 1997 when AYF partnered with Outward Bound to run Voyageur, resulting in a …
Madelyn Cook is an enthusiastic teacher, researcher, and builder of positive community with experience teaching at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate level. Madelyn holds a bachelor in chemistry and environmental studies from Kenyon College and a doctor of philosophy in earth and environmental sciences from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Though Madelyn is a recent addition to the …
Longtime Summer Seminars for Women participant and volunteer Holley Young stepped into the part-time role of Adult Programs Lead in 2022 and Director of Adult Programs in 2023. She is grateful to have a job in her post-professional life with an organization so foundational to her. The role merges her skillset with her passion, and she looks forward to helping …
Catherine Klene (she/her) joined the AYF team in April 2020. She was a magazine writer and editor for more than 10 years before she decided to explore how she could use her skills in the nonprofit space. She was drawn to the AYF’s mission of helping youth discover their own best selves and live balanced lives. She is thrilled to …
Michael was first introduced to AYF in the early 2000s by family members who attend Merrowvista for summer programming. He had to wait until 2008 to experience the National Leadership Conference. His class, Deeply Rooted, and its meaning was fundamental in his development. He has tried to keep roots in his global community and support where he can. Michael started …
Molly’s introduction to the AYF took place when she volunteered on the health team when her children were campers. She began working for the AYF in 2016, bringing 20 years of professional experience in social work and community justice. Along with her background in human services, she brought extensive database and management experience to her role. As a member of …
Beth has been involved in the AYF community since 1989, missing only two years out of 30 years to start a family. She was a member of the National Leadership Conference class To Seek Again and Again. Since then, she has served in many volunteer and leadership roles within NLC, including a member of the central staff, and has mentored …
Erin began her time with AYF in the summer of 2000 as a participant in the ILC (now NLC) at Miniwanca representing her home state of Maryland’s 4-H. Erin graduated from the NLC with the class Leaders for a New Beginning and never left! She has been a volunteer on staff every year since her participant graduation in many different …
Marty Schaner worked at Herman Miller for 25 years until a debilitating injury forced an early retirement and a new career path. A huge portion of Marty’s life has been dedicated to the Boys Scouts of America. Marty is an Eagle Scout and holds many BSA youth and adult awards. He developed the Eagle Quest (first-year camper) Program at Gerber …
Chad joined the AYF family in 2008 as a Community and Schools Program Facilitator. Since then, he has worn many hats and has had the opportunity to work in almost every department at Miniwanca. Whether he has been working as a CSP Coordinator, Camps Coordinator, Four Trails Trip Leader, NLC mentor, NLC Central Staff member, running the Food Program, or …
The AYF has been a keystone of Regan’s life since 2012. She has been a National Leadership Conference participant and staff, Girls Camp and Four Trails leader, and AYF volunteer. She is inspired by the growth and joy participants find when they overcome challenge at camp, and she strives to aspire nobly, adventure daringly, and serve humbly. Regan graduated from …
