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 …
Brianna has attended summer camp for as long as she remembers: as a camper, then a counselor, and a director. She is passionate about connecting youth with nature and developing those that work with youth. Brianna is from Grand Haven, Michigan and has spent most of her life in west Michigan. She has a degree from Michigan State University in …
Tiwi first made a connection with AYF through Miniwanca’s sister camp, Merrowvista, in 2010. Holding a variety of positions there, he completed his internship in 2013 as a member of I-45. In 2014 he moved to Seattle to try to incorporate his passion for working with youth with his degree in technology. For 2 years he managed an after school …
Bethany Wise first experienced summer camp at 9 years old and has been in love with it ever since. That passion has taken to her to camps in Ohio, Hawaii, and now Michigan, where she’s thrilled to bring her years of experience from camp and classroom teaching to Miniwanca. Bethany believes in the power of learning. She has an undergraduate …
Michael began his time with AYF in 1997 as a participant in the ILC taking place at Merrowvista. As he aged from camper to adult, he continued to give back and was inspired by the AYF in innumerable ways. Michael is a current NLC co-director, as well as former mentor and Boys Camp staffer. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in …
Griffin brings her passion for community, mentorship, and inspirational growth to the AYF after a 10-year career in the senior healthcare industry in Kansas City where her work ranged from program coordinator to executive director. Her degree in organizational leadership combined with her work experience has presented many opportunities to bring best self and balanced living practices into her professional …
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 Novotny’s guidance as Food Program Manager, Jamie dove headfirst into her first professional cooking job. Today, she’s part of the full-time team as Assistant Food Service Manager, working closely with Novotny to provide campers and Community …
Kim Novotny was first introduced to the American Youth Foundation when her husband became the Facilities Manager at Merrowvista in early 2000s . She worked in the kitchen on and off for more than a decade before taking on her current role as Food Service Manager in 2016. Kim works with local farms to source ingredients for delicious healthy meals. …
Patrick found his way to Merrowvista through his better half, Jamie, who showed him how positive and integral AYF programming can be in the life of a young person. He grew up working in the family business of carpentry, when not in school, where he fostered a love of learning how things go together and come apart. After joining the …
Tim Rouse (he/him) joined the AYF team in May 2024. He was a helicopter mechanic in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a combat veteran who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from 2001 through 2006. He then worked as an electrician for 10 years, running his own electrical business, before he decided to transition into Facilities Management at …
Julie discovered the AYF in 2010 and joined as Merrowvista’s Office Coordinator; six months later she became the Assistant to the President and works with leadership and Board of Directors. Having grown up and worked overseas for much of her professional life at an international school, working and engaging in a community focused on children at an organization with a …
Jamie came to Merrowvista in 1996 as a camper and was instantly hooked on the transformative power of the AYF community. During the next 25 years, she went from camper to staff and tried her hand at a wide variety of seasonal positions. She loved learning about all that makes AYF programs possible and was inspired by the enkindled spirits …
Aubrie is originally from Fort Worth, Texas, but spent most of her life in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family sciences. She grew up spending every summer as a camper, which turned into four summers on seasonal camp staff, serving in various program roles. She took a break from camp …
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 school when he attended the National Leadership Conference at Miniwanca – he was hooked. He worked seasonal jobs first at Miniwanca, then at Merrowvista, where he grew in leadership and discovered a passion for youth …
Dayna had never been to Merrowvista – or New Hampshire! – until summer 2021. She graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in outdoor education and was working a corporate banking job when she found a seasonal job at Merrowvista on a camp website. She packed up her car and drove across the country to work as leader …
Amy found her way to the American Youth Foundation after more than 20 years with Lindt USA, where she developed and implemented trade show strategy from design to execution. This required working intensively with designers, union construction crews, sales representatives, and the public. After 20 years in a corporate setting, Amy found herself ready to make a meaningful change. The …
