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 …
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 …
Sydney Freeman began her Miniwanca journey as a camper at age 9, spending every summer on the dunes discovering her best self. She went through the Four Trails program, then transitioned to the seasonal staff team where she served as a cabin leader, trip leader, Girls Camp coordinator, and Community and Schools Programs facilitator. She earned a degree in arts …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Mads grew up in East Lansing, Michigan and was introduced to AYF programming as a Miniwanca Community and School Programs participant in 2006. Soon after, they attended Miniwanca Girls Camp programming for six years and were a seasonal staff member for three. Mads earned a degree in biology from Earlham College where they also got their start in outdoor education, …
Andy brings experience from the commercial construction arena where he built several multifamily housing complexes, as well as developed several smaller properties in New York, Martha’s Vineyard, Atlanta, and St. Louis. He has earned a master’s degree in building, construction, and facility management from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Andy is also a combat veteran, having served as a staff …
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, then as a seasonal staff member, and later, a volunteer. After a 20-year career as a community mental health professional in Cincinnati, she’ll return to the dunes once again this summer, this time as Miniwanca …
