The lessons Amy Hughes learned during International Leadership Conference and National Leadership Conference in the mid-1990s laid the foundation for her personal and professional life today. Hughes is a medical...

Save the date: The American Youth Foundation is kicking off its centennial festivities with a virtual gathering Wednesday, April 16! Join President and CEO Liz Marshall and other AYF leadership...

Summer camp often calls to mind visions of youth adventuring daringly as they hike through rugged terrain or aspiring nobly as they master sailing or kayaking in open water. However,...

Spark, a four-day retreat designed for adults, returns to Miniwanca for its fourth year Sept. 11 to 14, 2025. Registration opens Monday, March 17. This year, Spark welcomes keynote speaker...

Learn more about working at Miniwanca! Learn more about working at Merrowvista! At first glance, it may not be obvious how coordinating a high-energy skit or Night’s Doings correlates to...

Miniwanca and the four-fold way of living were fundamental to Albie Bell and Katie Maus as teenagers attending and working at camp in the ’80s and ’90s. They passed these...

The American Youth Foundation kicked off its centennial year Tuesday, Jan. 28, when it opened registration for four celebratory events taking place at Miniwanca, Merrowvista, and in St. Louis. The...

About 40 students recently gathered for the Michigan Middle School Leadership Initiative, a youth empowerment program at Miniwanca. In four days, they built a community and discussed how to create...

More than 60 people descended on Miniwanca for four days in September to pursue their personal bests during Spark, the American Youth Foundation’s retreat for adults. This is the third...

Sydney Freeman is often the first person people meet when they arrive at Miniwanca and the first voice they hear on the phone. As Office Manager, Freeman knows her role...

Chicago-area youth got a chance to experience summer camp for the first time this month at Dare to Adventure, a four-day outdoor educational experience at Miniwanca. This is the second...

Girls Camp Director Bethany Wise is back with another dispatch from Miniwanca! If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone refer to “the real world” at camp,...

Assistant Camp Director Brianna Moynihan recaps the last week of interest groups during Session A. I cannot believe it’s last week of Session A for Camp Miniwanca Summer 2024! We...

Miniwanca Assistant Director of Camps Brianna Moynihan has attended summer camp for as long as she remembers: as a camper, then a counselor, and a director. She is passionate about...

Tiwi Freeman can never stay away from the American Youth Foundation too long. He first connected with the AYF in 2010 through Merrowvista, where he worked in a variety of...

The entire family is invited to lend a hand this spring at Miniwanca and Merrowvista! This year, Volunteer Weekend takes place April 26 to 28 at Miniwanca and May 17...

Before sites are flooded with summer campers, the facilities teams at Miniwanca and Merrowvista prioritize larger structural projects that enhance the quality of life for staff and campers each year....

There are two upcoming opportunities to meet Miniwanca staff and learn what summer camp 2024 is all about! Bring a friend and find out what makes Miniwanca so special! Join...