The American Youth Foundation is incorporated on March 31, 1925, with Danforth as President, Walter Scott Athearn as Vice President, Lansing F. Smith as Treasurer, Alexander as Director, Waite as Associate Director, and Orwig as Associate Director and Editor. John Alexander serves as Executive Director (1925 – 1932).
The founders acquire property in Stony Lake, Michigan, which they call Miniwanca. This name came from conversations with Native Americans in the region and was originally translated as the “Big Sea Camp,” a nod to the presence of Stony Lake and Lake Michigan, which are linked by Stony Creek. Construction of Miniwanca, including clearing the land and the building of bridges and tent platforms, occurs between March and June. The Assembly building is started, and the first eating lodge built.
The Merrowvista property is gifted to the AYF through Lyford Merrow’s estate. The property included the Farmhouse and a barn, today known as the Bahn. These bulidings, and a well on the property were built in the 1830s by a man named Daniel Grant. Merrowvista’s first Eating Lodge and tents for campers were built in 1925 to complement the Grant Farm buildings.
In June, Miniwanca and Merrowvista are ready to host youth, welcoming the inaugural classes of the Older Boys (OB) and Older Girls (OG) conferences.
