The second session of camp is officially underway, and campers have been busy building the foundation for another fun, safe summer at Miniwanca. Staff were happy to report another successful...

Each night, the echo of fireworks from nearby Benona Township Park grew louder than the night before in anticipation of the Fourth of July. At Miniwanca, thunderous chants and cheers...

After a fun-filled week of interest groups it was time for a change of pace. Boys Camp packed their bags and hiked to the historic Wells Site, on the beautiful...

The American Youth Foundation’s motto, “My own self, at my very best, all the time,” was the first thing each camper upon arrival at Miniwanca one week ago. Each day...

The day at Girls Camp began like any other typical Miniwanca day with a morning Polar Bear dip before breakfast followed by cabin CORE (Connect, Orient, Reflect, Empower) sessions. The...

With the first two full days of camp complete, campers are learning the routines of life at Miniwanca. The daily theme for these fun days were “wonder” and “intention,” two...

Bryant Field at Boys Camp had its first action-packed morning of the summer on Monday, June 27. Campers joined together to raise flags, participate in morning stretches, and prepare the...

The air was buzzing with excitement for Opening Day as staff welcomed campers back to Miniwanca. Beginning at noon and lasting just past 5 p.m., campers arrived on site with...

The sun is shining, Lake Michigan is roaring, and staff are smiling as summer 2022 staff training is almost finished. With just one day left until Session A campers arrive,...

Volunteers recently gathered in the crisp spring air at Miniwanca and Merrowvista to roll up their sleeves and prepare the sites for summer 2022. At Miniwanca, Director of Operations Griffin...

After years of leaning and disuse, the beloved Assembly at Miniwanca will see new life in 2023. Visitors to Girls Camp last year saw the nearly century-old building propped against...

One of Emily Jones Knuth’s fondest camp memories is serving as Quad Leader in eighth grade and again as a high school senior. She relished the chance to add the...

Michael Harter’s career has always found him at the intersection of youth empowerment and mental health, a passion he credits to his own foundational experiences as an AYF participant. He’s...

Miniwanca has seen many significant improvements to its facilities in recent years, including extensive renovation of the West Eating Lodge and more than 50 cabins at Girls Camp and Boys...

The American Youth Foundation experience extends long past when participants complete youth programs at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. As both sites prepare to welcome adults back to in-person events this summer,...

Regan Gibson Wiesler first encountered the American Youth Foundation when she attended National Leadership Conference in 2012, an experience that created lasting bonds with her class and the AYF. Since...

“Polar Bear, Polar Bear – rah, rah, rah! Polar Bear, Polar Bear – ha! ha! ha!” So chant the voices of campers on the shores of Lake Michigan and Stony...

Three weeks ago, Camp Miniwanca sprang to life after 18 months of cocooning and the first missed summer in almost 100 years. The sacred spaces and places welcomed the Rekindle...