Freeman herself grew up at Miniwanca, as a camper and seasonal and Community and School Programs staff member before returning in a full-time role. Here, she shares some of her favorite camp memories, the best parts of her job, and why she still scream-sings Selena Gomez in the Eating Lodge.

What was your first camp experience like?

“My first summer as a camper I was extremely homesick for the first week. One of my older cabinmates told me even though it’s hard to be away from home, I’d probably be campsick when I returned and wish I could go back to Miniwanca. She encouraged me enjoy camp while I was there. That really stuck with me and taught me to be present and try new things. I used that advice for other younger campers as I grew up, and again when I was a cabin leader and summer camp coordinator talking to my own homesick campers.”

How did joining the seasonal staff change your perspective of camp?

“My first week of staff training felt like reading a magic cookbook that held all the recipes for every flavor of secret sauce that goes into Miniwanca. I learned so many tips and tricks for youth empowerment, plus new ways to keep things running smoothly each year. I loved getting to pass on the positive community that helped me grow so much as a camper.”

How did working CSP continue that perspective shift?

“I got to see how the AYF mission can be shifted and molded to fit the needs of different groups during the CSP season. This way it can be accessible to anyone who need some empowerment and to be their own best self.”

Miniwanca has lots of big and small traditions. What are some of your favorite ones?

“End-of-meal dance parties in West Camp are up there for me. As a kid, I heard so many of my favorite songs for the first time because we danced to them in the Eating Lodge. My Voyageur group started the tradition of screaming “Who Says” by Selena Gomez, and I loved joining in 13 years later with the same amount of energy. I also love the tradition of flash mobs because they just bring another type of shared language and identity for each summer, and it’s always welcomed and encouraged to learn the ones you missed.”

Miniwanca is a large campus with lots of beautiful natural scenery. What is one of your favorite places at camp?

“There’s not much that can beat a view of Lake Michigan, especially from one of the outlooks or decks along the ridge behind 10, 20, and 30 Bay. Marie Shaver Music Center and Duneview are favorites for Something Sacred morning reflections. When working CSP, I also learned about the hike to Darer Dune from Upper D Bay. It’s a beautiful hike to an incredible view of the area surrounding Miniwanca, and it’s extra special in the fall.”

How did Miniwanca shape your perspective as an adult?

“The idea of best self really impacted me as a kid and helped me feel more open and able to be myself at camp and back home. It was always a place to reset and reconnect with who I am and want to be, and over the years I’ve gotten better at taking that out into the world with me. I also love the idea of positive community and have tried to take that to my communities outside of camp as well. Treating people with kindness, assuming good intentions, and being an attentive and flexible leader are skills I learned here that I’m constantly practicing as an adult.”

Why did you want to join the full-time team?

“When the opportunity to reenter the world of Miniwanca came up, I was excited to be able to rejoin this community of positivity and growth. The team of people I work with grows and shrinks throughout the seasons, and at every size, it’s full of positive and supportive people who are here to create amazing experiences for kids. I love having work that changes with the season. As much as I love the hustle and bustle of the summer, I’m really looking forward to my first winter staying cozy in the office with our small team, planning and getting excited about all the people who’ll join us gradually as the weather warms.”

What is one of your favorite parts of your job?

“I really love greeting people as they come through the Mills Office doors! Sometimes alumni visit, talk about their experiences at camp, and walk around to reminisce. First-time visitors just stopping in to hear about what we do are also fun. We even have regulars who come to walk the grounds every week or so in the off season.

“During the summer, I got to take several groups of both alumni and first-time visitors on tours around camp. It was so great getting to get outside and enjoy the summer weather and hear stories about Miniwanca through the years.”

A lot of people don’t realize how much work goes into Miniwanca behind the scenes. What element of your job might surprise people?

“We are extremely diligent when it comes to staff hiring. Assistant Camp Director Brianna Moynihan and I run two to three separate background checks for each staff member, including volunteers. We also spend a lot of time making sure all paperwork is signed and sent to the right people, so all 100-plus summer staff members get paid!”

You speak to lots of camp families throughout the year. What are some of your favorite interactions?

“I love answering questions about what a typical day is like at camp and help people know what to expect and learn about our amazing programs. I also love helping solve problems complete the puzzle that gets each camper and staff member to the dunes each summer.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“One of my previous coworkers and supervisors at Miniwanca was known for saying, ‘Don’t get comfortable!’ She didn’t mean we shouldn’t feel comfortable and content in our work – we knew we were valued and supported. The message was about being flexible and open to change and new ideas. It was quick and silly version of a favorite camp quote from one of the founders: ‘It is a mark of leadership to adjust.’

“Since working with her, I’ve valued being flexible and adaptable to what is needed in the moment, whether it’s adjusting my facilitation plan to meet the needs of the group or being open to new ways of doing things.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Sydney Freeman appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

The Advancement Team places a crucial role at the AYF, but not everyone understands what it does. Can you share the main responsibilities of your role as Advancement Manager for Development and Finance?

“My main responsibility is to make sure we raise the necessary funds needed to operate our camps, run our programs, and provide scholarships to those that need them. I plan events like the Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament and create appeals, like the National Leadership Conference Class Giving Challenge, to encourage our donors, alumni, and community partners to give to our organization. I also track our donations though a series of databases to ensure our financial information is accurate.” 

Why is an Advancement Team so important to a nonprofit like the AYF?

“A large part of what an Advancement Team does is working to raise the funds needed to keep the camps running. The team helps provide scholarships and grants needed to make sure everyone who wants to can participate in the great programs we offer. Our team interacts with donors, alumni, and community partners to keep them engaged and connected to the AYF.”

You’ve had the opportunity to visit camp at Miniwanca and Merrowivsta and see the program in action. What were your initial impressions?

“I had three initial reactions. First, I was in awe of the natural beauty of the camps and their landscape. They are truly breathtaking places to visit. My second impression was the pure joy of the children involved in the programs. It was obvious the camps provided a safe and fun environment for them to grow and just be kids. Finally, I saw that this is an organization with deeply rooted traditions. From the special names to the fun camp songs and everything in between, it’s clear the role tradition plays in the camps. I’m excited to honor those traditions during the 100th year celebration next year!”

If you could be an AYF camper for one day at either site, what activities would you do?

“I love being in nature. I would spend my day as an AYF camper paddleboarding, hiking to the Ledge, fishing, and participating in team games such as Capture the Flag – a few of which I was fortunate enough to do this year while visiting Merrowvista! Go Team Banana!”

If you could trade jobs with a colleague for one day, whose role would you like to try and why?

“I would trade with Andy Mulcahy, Vice President of Infrastructure. My undergrad is in historic preservation, and I spent many years working on different historic buildings. I love working with my hands to maintain and rebuild historic structures. I find it very rewarding.”

What do you like most about working for the AYF?

“I like that my job directly provides an opportunity for children to live better lives and be better versions of themselves. I like challenging myself and my team to continually outdo ourselves and raise the bar to provide even more scholarships and allow even more campers to experience the joy I saw when I visited the camps.”

What surprised you most about working for the AYF?

“Every person I’ve met within the AYF has a personal story connecting them to someone else within the organization. The AYF is like one giant family, and I consider myself fortunate to be a part of it.”

Outside of work, what are some of your favorite things to do?

“I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I’m a bit of a history nerd, so I always enjoy learning new things. I am always looking for a recommendation on a new history book or museum to visit.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

“Never do anything halfway. Always put your full effort in any work you do or relationship you build. Your work is a reflection of yourself.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Advancement’s Nick Tamboli appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

You attended camp and worked seasonally at Miniwanca for years. Why did you decide to take a full-time job at Merrowvista?
“I have been working in the outdoor education industry as a field instructor since I graduated in 2020, and as I gained more experience, I started to keep the AYF in the back of my mind and look out for full-time positions. I loved my time as a seasonal staff member at Miniwanca and had been thinking about what it would be like to be full-time for a while.

“The job at Merrowvista came at a really good time for me and was a next step that made a lot of sense personally and professionally. I am really inspired by the work that we do at the AYF, and whether I am at Merrowvista or Miniwanca, I will always feel excited about what we do at this organization!”

What’s one of your favorite Four Trails moments?
“Toward the end of my Odyssey trip, all three trip groups were staying at the same campsite, and the boys’ group led an Evening Reflection. We tried to sing some songs, which sounded pretty bad since no one was singing very boldly and there was a lot of giggling, but I remember feeling so connected to everyone in our little circle, even though each group had had mostly separate journeys.

“One of the leaders shared some words about the trip along the lines of ‘Days are long, but Odyssey is short,’ which inspired me then and sticks with me to this day as a reminder to remember to have perspective and enjoy the long days because years can somehow happen suddenly.”

Where did the nickname Earl come from?
“During rest hour my first year as a camper, we were chatting (not good rest hour behavior!) and talking about what our parents would have named us if we were boys. I said my parents would have named me Earl. Everyone thought that was very funny, and it stuck for a decade.”

What were your first impressions of Merrowvista? How does it compare to Miniwanca?
“I have loved getting to know Merrowvista! It has been so lovely to spend some time in the valley and see another side of the AYF. So far, it is much less sandy and quite a bit steeper overall than Miniwanca.”

What drew you to working full-time for the AYF?
“I was thinking about transitioning from working in the field for a while and wanted to find a job that was more sustainable for me but felt equally fulfilling, and I think I have found that with the AYF. There are so many things that resonate with me about the work, but I think it comes down to our participants. For a lot of young people, there’s a lack of intentional community and structures for deep connection, and I think the AYF does a really good job of providing that.

“The world often feels grim, and for me, the way I can have hope for the future is to work with young people and help them be their best selves. I feel so grateful for the way that the community and connections I made at Miniwanca shaped me as a young person, and I think the more people that can have an experience like that, through the AYF or another avenue, the better for them and for our collective future.”

As the new Four Trails Manager, what are you most looking forward to this summer?
“Right now, I am really looking forward to staff training. I am so excited to meet our seasonal staff, build relationships, and share some of my knowledge with them. I am hoping to be a strong support for our Four Trails leaders this summer and help them create the Merrowvista magic.”

How do Four Trails programs challenge campers beyond the physical element? How do these programs change campers?
“A sentiment echoed at each outdoor education company I have worked at is that play is practice for real life. These trips teach our campers so many valuable life skills, some of which they might not realize for years to come. When I think about what has informed my values and how I move through the world, important parts of it started at Miniwanca.

“Our campers learn to be resilient at the end of long, wet days. They learn to be independent by setting up their shelters and cooking their meals. They learn how to be present by disconnecting from technology.

“Most importantly, they learn how to be in community. They learn what it is like to be part of a group where everyone contributes and where conflict is not avoided but worked through and healed. They learn how to get along with someone they might not if they had the choice. They learn to have empathy and grace for that person and understand why they might see the world differently. Our youth are capable of so much and being on these trips helps them realize their gifts and how to use them to lift up themselves and those around them.”

What advice do you have for a camper embarking on their first Four Trails experience?
“My advice is to lean in! This trip is what you make it. We are all here for each other at Merrowvista and on trail, you get to re-create that community in new places with your group.

If you could go on a Merrowvista Four Trails trip this year, is there one you’d really like to try?
“I would love to go on Odyssey. I have done lots of hiking on the Appalachian Trail but never in Maine, and it seems so beautiful and challenging.”

What are some of your favorite things to outside of work?
“I love to do small crafts! I have recently been excited about crocheting little baskets, carving little spoons, and making little leather notebooks.”

What piece of media changed the way you thought about something and why?
“One of my co-leaders shared the short essay ‘Joyas Voladores’ by Brian Doyle with me and our group one evening on a trip several years ago, and it has become one that I love to share with groups at the end of trips. I think everyone should read it, so I won’t spoil it, but it is about being a person with a heart and that that is a hard thing, but it is also a very joyful thing. It helped me realize that it is a gift to have a heart that can feel everything from pain and sorrow to joy and love. It is a gift to be able to share your heart.”

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the Merrowvista or larger AYF community?
“I am so happy to be back at the AYF and that I welcome connection in any form. Please feel free to reach out about the program or just to chat, even if we don’t know each other!”

The post Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Mads “Earl” Chomentowski appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

This is your first summer at Miniwanca. Why did you want to join the full-time team?

“When I first came to Miniwanca for an interview, I was immediately drawn to the physical space. Even though it was the middle of the fall and campers had been gone for months, you could still feel something special in the air and sacred in the spaces. It is so beautiful here.

“But what really hooked me was meeting the fearless leaders of Miniwanca, Girls Camp Director Bethany Wise and Director of Miniwanca Griffin Vogler. I could immediately feel their passion for youth development and camp. They were incredibly authentic, genuine, and funny. After that very first interview, I knew I wanted to be a part of this team and help facilitate the Miniwanca magic that’s been happening for 100 years.”

You grew up attending other summer camps. What was one of your favorite summer camp activities as a child?

“Capture the Flag was always my favorite camp game! I love everything teamwork, strategy, and camp spirit.”

How did your childhood experiences at a summer camp shape you as an adult?

“The first thing it shaped was my career choice! I have always said I want to be a camp counselor when I grow up (I still say that). All the camps I have been part of create an environment where people can be 100 percent their authentic selves. I think that has shaped me into a person unafraid to be themself and enter unfamiliar situations confidently.”

How does Miniwanca differ from other camps you’ve participated in or worked at?

“Our programing is very intentionally rooted in the mission of helping youth discover their best selves. It’s not so much about the activities or helping participants develop a certain hard skill but more about using the activities to challenge participants to be brave, think creatively, develop connections with others and nature, and explore their values and beliefs.

“The American Youth Foundation also has a community unlike any other. The passion for Miniwanca and Merrowvista is so palpable among our extremely connected alums, volunteers, participants, and staff network. It is simply infectious.”

What about the AYF’s approach to youth development resonates with you most?

“There are so many things about the AYF’s approach to youth development that deeply resonate with me. But one thing that I feel passionate about is facilitating safe risk taking. So many children live in a highly regulated environment and are discouraged from taking risks in their daily lives because of how the world is now. But at Camp Miniwanca, we create an environment where taking risks is encouraged. Where starting a fire is celebrated (and well supervised!), where we acknowledge that being brave means being scared but doing the thing anyway.”

Outside of camp, what are some of your favorite things to do in your downtime?

“I have a 6-year-old retriever/Australian shepherd mix named Scout who I adore and spend all my down time with. We love to roller blade, swim in Lake Michigan, and dig holes on the beach.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“Don’t bring an umbrella to brainstorm.” – Ted Lasso

What are you most looking forward to in your first summer at Miniwanca?

“I told many people I am going to do Polar Bear every single day. I think a lot of people doubt me. I am excited to prove them wrong.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Brianna Moynihan appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

When did you first encounter Merrowvista?
“My first encounter with Merrowvista was near the end of college when I was seeking more experience working with youth. I worked as a driver knowing I would have many opportunities to see the camper experience through many different lenses. The passion and creativity individuals brought to their roles was unlike anything I had ever been a part of. It was clear to me after that first summer that Merrowvista was going to be a bigger part of my life.”

In 2023, you worked at Merrowvista as a service-learning specialist. What did you enjoy most about that role?
“It was great to reconnect with folks I was very close with but had not seen in years. It was so refreshing to pick up where we left off and hear the incredible stories of their lives since I last saw them.

“But connecting with the campers in a deep and meaningful way is really what we are all here for. There was a particularly tough moment for a group last summer, and it felt amazing to be there for them and to reassure them that they were still in control of their own destiny. I was so proud of how they were able to finish, and I know they had a great sense of pride as well. I was very happy to be accepted into such a strong group of kids who will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Why did you want to be the Interim Camp Director?
“Returning to the valley last summer for the first time in 16 years, I was hoping one thing still existed: the magic of Merrowvista. I could not have been happier to see not only that it was still here but also alive and well.

“Stepping into the Interim Camp Director role is an incredible honor. I wanted to help a place that holds some of my most cherished memories and friendships. The chance to impact and drive forward the legacy of Merrowvista summer camps is an honor I do not take lightly. I’m very proud to be part of it.”

Your children attended Merrowvista for the first time last year. What advice do you have for first-time camp parents?
“Take a deep breath. I was nervous our kids would not love Merrowvista the same way my wife and I do. I was nervous our city kids would hate all the mosquitoes during a wet summer. I was nervous they would miss Rhode Island beaches and all their friends. I was plain nervous.

“How quickly I forgot the intention behind the community of Merrowvista: how infectious the staff smiles are, how they over-plan that first day so kids won’t have a chance to realize how much they miss home. When it was time to leave, my youngest asked if we could stay just a little longer and my oldest asked how soon we could return. They saw the power of this community and they wanted more.”

What advice do you have for first-time campers, especially when dealing with homesickness?
“Homesickness is real, and it’s powerful. It’s okay to miss home but try your hardest to get through that next activity. Sometimes that next hour is just what you need to get a smile going. Before you know, it’s dinner and you are banging on tables and singing – something that could never happen at home. Take advantage of all the experiences at your fingertips and get through one step at a time.”

What is one of the biggest challenges facing youth today, and how does summer camp help them meet that challenge?
“Meaningful interpersonal interactions and relationships are becoming harder and harder to find, let alone develop. So many of our interactions these days happen via a screen. By removing this barrier, it forces us to meet face to face and learn how to communicate in a healthy, meaningful way. Maintaining eye contact through a conversation must happen when you are learning how to climb or paddle. It is just as important when they go back home.”

If you could be a Merrowvista camper for one day, what activity would you most want to do?
“Probably learn to sail because I need that skill to be able to say I am a Rhode Islander someday. And I love anything that has to do with water!”

What else do you enjoy doing outside of work?
“I take any opportunity I get to be near an ocean. Once I was introduced to the ocean at a young age, it was love at first sight. I am starting to get more opportunities to fish, even though it never seems like enough. Surfing is a life passion, and freediving is something I desperately want to get better at.

“I also have a passion for getting to the mountains in the winter. I love the feeling of standing on a peak in the winter and letting the silence surround me. I also like going down the mountain fast and thinking on my feet.”

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“To be grateful and show gratitude whenever you have a chance. My aunt made sure I was a good tourist in Hawaii. She is responsible for teaching me what aloha means and how to regularly express it.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Katsu Okuma appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

How did you first learn about Merrowvista?
“Kim convinced me to fly to Miniwanca with her for the 2017 staff retreat to cook for everyone, even though I had no experience in a professional kitchen. It was challenging and it pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many ways, but every day I’m thankful for her belief in me. I wouldn’t be where I am if she didn’t push me to do something that scared me all those years ago.”

Why were you interested in joining the full-time team?
“Each summer and fall, I felt accomplished and proud at the end of the day. I wanted that to be my full-time, year-round feeling.” 

Mealtimes at Merrowvista are more than just eating. What surprised you most when you first joined the food program team?
“The noise and excitement! When I picture sitting down for a meal, its chitchatting and laughing with the people around you, enjoying their company. All of that happens here at camp, but with the addition of singing, drumming on tables, dancing around the Eating Lodge, squeals of happiness, and campers yelling at the top of their lungs with excitement.”

What would surprise people most about the work you do?
“Kim and I are both continuously trying to improve all aspects of how we do our jobs, whether that’s traveling to food shows to see what the latest trends are or if we can improve the quality of products we already order. We also work hard to make sure our dietary needs are met. I love to find new and tasty recipes for our gluten-free and vegan campers. We want them to eat just as well as someone without any dietary restrictions.”   

The AYF Food Program Guiding Principles focus on educating campers on health and our food system’s impact on the environment. Why are these important messages for youth to hear?
“It’s important for many reasons. One that impacts the kitchen directly is reducing our food waste. We explain to kids that if they are eating with their eyes and take more than they can consume, more food inevitably gets thrown away or put into compost.

“We also love to introduce new foods to kids. We have ‘try-me’ bowls of fresh local veggies not all kids may have access to or have ever tried. We give a taste to each camper at a table and have a big bowl of extras on our salad bar. You’d be surprised how many kids love beets and brussels sprouts!”

What are your favorite meals to make for campers?
“I love the happiness on kids’ faces when they walk into the kitchen to see big bowls of their favorite foods. Sometimes it’s taco night, chicken fingers, or pasta of all kinds. But mac and cheese is always the winner when it comes to a comfort meal everyone loves at camp.

“We recently purchased a freeze dryer and in the future hope to bring our Four Trails campers and staff meals they wouldn’t normally be able to have on trail.”

What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
“I love spending time with family and friends. Kayaking and beach days will always be one of my favorite ways to relax. I also love going to concerts and discovering new music. There’s always music playing in the background, no matter where I am.” 

What’s your favorite meal to either make at home or eat out?
“I love Thai food and all its versatility. My Uncle Dan’s Thai basil chicken was always my favorite growing up, and I loved when he took the time to teach me his recipe side-by-side in the kitchen.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Jamie Sweetser appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

In 2019, he left the organization to work Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire as Director of Integrated Outreach. He recently returned to the AYF in a new role – Director of Strategic Program Initiatives – and he’s excited to jump back into the mission of the AYF again.

You were Director of Camp Programs from 2009 to 2018 at Merrowvista. How did Merrowvista camp programs evolve and change over that time?
“The program grew in so many ways. Every season brings new staff and participants with different perspectives and ideas that leave their mark and move us forward. New songs, new activities, new questions about why we do things the way we do, and new awareness around how we create a space where everyone feels safe and able to grow toward their best. It’s a living thing, shaped by the people who gather to support it.”

How did working in an academic environment compare to your outdoor education experience?
“Much of what I did at Brewster was centered on outreach and working current and former parents, alumni, donors, thought partners, etc. In my role, I helped shape the story the school told about the great things taking place on campus and created connection for those who wanted to become more involved. It was a significant shift from my work with AYF, which was so centered on the participants, staff, and delivering program.”

How did your work at Merrowvista inform your work at a school?
“The missions of the two organizations were surprisingly complimentary. That was a key reason that I felt I was able to transition to Brewster. The mission of Brewster is to prepare diverse thinkers for lives of purpose. In this I saw a commitment to creating an intentional inclusive community, as well as inspiring students to discover their best selves in preparation for a world that badly needed their contributions.

“Every day I thought about my experience telling the AYF story and conveying its importance. It kept me inspired and helped me better understand the school’s vision for its work with students. Like the AYF, it was more about what participants would do after they left the program than about what happened on campus.”

How will your work in an academic setting inform your new role as Director of Strategic Program Initiatives?
“I think the biggest thing I gained is better understanding of how a larger community of diverse and caring constituencies can positively impact and support the work taking place on a relatively small campus. Maintaining those relationships helps us discover how our work on these sites is known by the broader community and generates data that can inform intentional changes to the program and outreach efforts. If our goal is to grow our impact, we need to better understand how what we do meets the communities our participants will grow and work in.”

What are you most looking forward to in this new role?
“More than anything, I’m excited to be back on these sites, talking with participants and staff and seeing the full scope and impact of our programs. It’s truly special and rare. Youth are invited to think deeply about how their actions and interactions define their communities. They engage in meaningful conversations and have their voices elevated and heard. Hearing their observations and insights about the impact they hope to have on the world is powerful, and I feel fortunate to be a part of their vision for the future.”

Can you elaborate on some program goals the AYF hopes to achieve in the next few years?
“I think our primary goal is to ensure we are serving as many young people as possible. We want to remove the obstacles to our programs, while also amplifying our message and mission so more people know about the special opportunities we provide. As we return to full capacity, we also work to ensure our participants have what they need to apply these transformational experiences to their lives outside of programs.”

Why did you want to return to work full-time with the AYF?
“The AYF had an immense impact on who I am, and my outlook on who we are as a people. Most of my professional life was tied to this organization, and when I left, I did so because I felt I needed a different perspective on working with youth, as well as some new organizational leadership skills. I got that in the four years away.

“With this new opportunity, I get the chance to learn about and influence programs across the AYF. I get excited by the prospect of creating connections throughout the organization and with outside partners. I want to ensure we share the very best of what we do in our diverse programs across sites for the benefit of all our participants.”

When you aren’t working, what do you enjoy doing?

“I can’t think of anything I love more than spending time with my family: my wife, Veronica, and my two daughters, Aurora and Romea. We love to be outside swimming, walking in the woods, growing our gardens, and using our imaginations. I love to bake and cook, and it’s been exciting to share that love with the girls, who are running ahead of me with their skills.

“I’ve always loved traveling, and we are looking forward to more opportunities to do that together, as well. Going to Miniwanca as a family and sharing the shoreline of Lake Michigan with them for the first time was a highlight of this summer – another reason I feel very lucky to be back at the AYF.”

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
“‘Never deny in the darkness that which you have known to be true in the light.’ I heard that in high school, and it hit me like a lightning bolt. I think about it during darker days when the negative messages outweigh and obscure the positive. It’s a constant reminder to do my part to bring a little more light to the good things and truths that may be harder to see when times are hard.”

The post Staff Spotlight: AYF’s Kris Light appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

Once she arrived and began working program, she was hooked on the American Youth Foundation mission and values. She jumped at the chance to join the full-time team and now serves as Director of Community and School Programs for Merrowvista. Here, she shares the best parts of her job, how she tailors CSP programs to partner organizations, and her first impressions of the New England wilderness.

What were your first impressions of Merrowvista and CSP program?
“I started in a nontraditional season, but it was the most fun I had ever had at a job. I loved the idea that we get to serve kids who may not have the chance to come to a place like this and experience it to its fullest. I love watching the team challenges and watching the kids learn how to communicate effectively with one another. I’ve watched kids grow in a matter of three days, and there is something so special about witnessing that.”

What about the AYF mission and values resonated with you?
“I really appreciated how it felt like an open invitation to be myself. I was happy that it was a place that wanted
people to be the best versions of themselves, whatever that means to them.”

Why did you want to take on a full-time role with the AYF?
“I’ve never felt so comfortable at a place or job like I have with this one. It felt like such an easy choice to want to be part of this community full-time, to be able to serve and work with kids in this capacity.”

How are community and school programs different than summer camp? How are they similar?
“The major differences are that the programs are much shorter, anywhere from one to five days, and the programming is more intentional when it comes to a focus on building community and communication with each other. At the end of each activity, the facilitators will always debrief about what they just did. They discuss what they learned and how they can take it back with them into school and regular life.

“As far as similarities, we do song challenges at mealtimes, we do dishes, we dance like no one is watching, and we get to be our authentic selves.”

What are some of your favorite things about things about working with CSP partners?
“Meeting a wide variety of people. We work with private and public schools from rural New Hampshire to inner-city Boston. We work with different health-related programs, such as kids who have had heart surgery, kids with asthma, kids with diabetes, and their families. There are so many beautiful programs that allow Merrowvista to be part of their community.”

The AYF works closely with CSP partners to create a program that combines the values of both organizations. How do you find that balance?
“We really lean into the values the programs bring and add undertones of our own values. At each closing fire, the volunteers say something about each value the partner organization brought with them. We weave our own values in, too, using the AYF language of best self and the four folds throughout the activities.”

You’re originally from Utah. What were the biggest differences when you relocated to New Hampshire?
“I cannot believe how green it is here! The weather has really been the biggest change for me. I’m used to dry, desert weather, but here, everything is green and luscious and damp. The winter is totally different, as well. The amount of snow we receive, along with how it turns into ice overnight – it’s so wild to me!”

When you’re not working, what are some of your favorite things to do?
“I love camping and especially hammocking. Any place by water with big trees is the type of place I want to be. I also enjoy reading, puzzling, and playing a little Zelda.”

What TV show has left a lasting impression on you?
“‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Our Flag Means Death’ – both of them have characters who are truly authentic to themselves and nobody bats and eye. Everyone just wants everyone to be happy and be who they are without judgement. I think they have wonderful messages.”

What’s one of the best pieces of advice you’ve ever received?
“When I had to decide between two things, my mom used to tell me, ‘Flip a coin – you’ll always know which side you want it to land on.’ It’s helped me make a lot of big decisions in my life. It makes me truly realize which decision I want to make without having to truly choose.”

Where is your favorite place on Merrowvista’s campus?
“On the Farmhouse porch in a rocking chair early in the morning with a cup of coffee in my hand. There is nothing better than that.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Dayna Vuksinick appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

“To be able to support the AYF’s mission while also doing something I love feels like a gift to me,” he said. Here, he shares more about his role, his favorite spots at Miniwanca and Merrowvista, and what he’d do if he could be a camper for one day.

What were your initial impressions of the AYF summer camp experience?
“I was instantly struck by the incredible campuses we have. Both Merrowvista and Miniwanca are gorgeous sites. And they really come alive when our participants get here. Our campers get to be part of a community that connects them to nature and each other – all while developing an inspiring sense of self and purpose.”

What do you do as IT manager and how does it support the programs people know and love?
“The core of what I do is provide software/hardware solutions and technical support for the AYF. I get to create systems, iron out processes, fix glitches, and address tech issues. I really love it, and best of all, I get to learn on a meaningful level how our AYF team interacts with all the tech that supports our work. Most importantly, I never want our tech or equipment to get in the way of a staff member delivering the promise of our mission to a camper.”

The nature of your role means you get to visit all the AYF sites. What is one of your favorite places at each place and why?
“My favorite place at Merrowvista is the Eating Lodge. Kim Novotny, who runs the food program, works wonders, and the room at mealtime is always abuzz with the sound of happy campers. It’s a building full of happy memories. But a close second is the top of Mt. Flagg. The trail for it splits right off from the main road through camp, and every summer I hike it at least once to take in the view.

“My favorite place at Miniwanca is the beach. Watching the sunset over Lake Michigan is something I tell anyone visiting the state to do, and we get to watch it every night here on site.”

How do you connect with the AYF mission when you are on site?
“By trying to imbue every engagement I have with a profound spirit of respect and value for everyone’s part in this mission. That means valuing their time, their process, and their place in the community. No one’s job is a small ripple – we’re all one big wave together.”

If you could be an AYF camper for one day at either site, what activities would you make sure to do?
“The climbing courses, as well as going up Old Baldy at Miniwanca. The sense of accomplishment I see in our campers when they finish a climbing course has always made me want to try it.”

If you could trade jobs with a colleague for one day, whose role would you like to try and why?
“It would have to be Dayna Vuksinick or Michael Harter, who run our Community & School Programs. There’s such a variety of activities and strategies they get to implement, and it always looks like they’re having a blast.”

Outside of work, what are some of your favorite things to do in your spare time?
“I love to go running, read poetry, and paint portraits. I’m a huge history buff, so I’m always open to any recommendations for books on ancient cultures or societies. Also, I grew up in Florida, so it’s impossible for me to say no to the beach.”

What is one book that had a significant impact on your life?
“‘A People’s History of the United States’ by Howard Zinn was the first book I read when I entered college. It was transformative for me – it completely rearranged how I look at the world and myself for the better. I think it’s a must-read for anyone graduating high school in the United States.”

What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever received?
“I have two I remind myself of daily: Be charitable when people make mistakes because the sum of you doesn’t have to be defined by the worst thing you’ve ever done. And: Try to meet people where they are, not only where you want them to be.”

The post Staff Spotlight: AYF’s Romauld Dugue appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

The AYF  is obviously youth-oriented, but adult programs are an important part of what we do. Why does the AYF offer adult programs?

“Our learning, growth, and the impact we have on others doesn’t stop when we “age out” of youth-oriented programs. In fact, the AYF places a high value on lifelong learning. Adults bring experiences into AYF communities, and they take what they have learned during AYF adult programs into their communities, lives, and workplaces. Both are closely tied to a key AYF phrase: ‘One enkindled spirit can set hundreds on fire.'”

Do you have to be a former camper or staff member to participate in AYF adult programs?

“Absolutely not! In fact, the adult programs offered through the AYF have intentionally and joyfully reached out and welcomed people who have not been to Miniwanca or Merrowvista previously. Our expansive hospitality is a direct result of current participants having such meaningful and fun experiences that they tell their friends and colleagues about the AYF. Including those new to AYF programs enhances the community beyond words.”

How has the AYF shaped you as an adult?

“Where do I start? I always talked about the AYF during and after my years as a camper, cabin leader, and NLC participant in the early ‘80s. To graduate from college with a degree in Recreation Administration, I had to do experiential fieldwork and present a business plan. The fieldwork was at a beautiful state park over a summer in Wisconsin, and the business plan was something I dreamed up using the AYF mission, vision, and values as a general platform for my business called Young’s Camp for Adults.

“Throughout my adult years, I have leaned on the friendships and influences from AYF programs. The lifelong friendships I have developed are priceless. That I am now working in a part-time capacity for the AYF is unbelievable, but true. I could not have predicted this happening in a million years!”

Summer Seminars for Women is one of our longest running adults programs, and one you were active in as a participant and volunteer before moving into your current role. Why is this program so popular and bring back so many returning participants each year?

“SSW celebrates 35 years this summer! I think it’s so popular for a few reasons. First, the women created this program established a solid base that we use as a guidepost today. Aside from offering new content and tweaks here and there, we haven’t needed change such a time-tested, strong program.

“Second, the AYF and the SSW team offered virtual programming throughout the pandemic.  Keeping these important bonds and connecting people back to SSW’s foundational values meant that we could keep relationships with one another and keep the AYF going strong. We are thrilled that 25% of SSW 2023 participants are new to this program, and some are new to the AYF. People keep coming back because they want and need to refuel, learn, connect, have fun, and return home with an elevated sense of purpose, centeredness, and joy.”

Spark is a newer adult program that began in 2022. What is the goal of this program?

“Like SSW, the Spark adult retreat is multigenerational community of participants. While this reality is not an overt goal, it enhances the experience for all who attend, no matter what decade of life they are in. Welcoming people from all walks of life into an inclusive environment with individual, small group, and community-wide activities resonates with participants long after they return home. Having returning participants is a marker that we must be doing something right!”

How is the AYF trying to expand its reach and relevance through adult programs?

“We have extended virtual learning opportunities through book clubs, Evening Reflection programs, year-in-review programs, and staying in touch with our adult communities. Adding the all-gender Spark program also created an opportunity to integrate much of what works well with the SSW model within a program that attracts many who have been associated with the National Leadership Conference programs at Miniwanca.

“For all adult programs, we strive to have high-quality content that is relevant to current life, societal issues, and meet the ongoing reality that adults need and want continuous learning and to fill their often-depleted tanks across the mental, social, physical, and spiritual areas.”

What are some of your favorite parts of working with adult program participants?

“I love that our participants are “seasoned” humans, in both age and experience! This often translates into easily encouraging people to share their knowledge, talents, and skills when working in a large community. Our volunteer coordinating teams do amazing work to create excellent programming, and our participants are hands-on, helping with an Evening Reflection, offering an activity during unstructured time, and planning Night’s Doings.”

Outside of the AYF, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

“I love taking walks with my partner, Lisa, and our beloved lab Ruby. When we have the chance to travel, it’s our pleasure to have friends gather with us. My home is my favorite place to be, so between travels, it is relaxing and grounding to just be home with our local friends. I am a better person after developing a regular yoga practice, so I make getting to classes a priority. I also found that being in a monthly book club has broadened my perspective on so many topics.”

Anything else you’d like to share with the AYF community?

“As the AYF is knee-deep in purposeful programming this summer, I see it so much differently as a part-time employee than I did as a volunteer. So much happens behind the scenes, and AYF employees give their all to walk, talk, and live the values of this organization.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Advancement’s Holley Young appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

Vogler is a participant in the Summer Seminars for Women program and feels especially drawn to the intergenerational experience it creates. She first encountered the AYF through her husband, Michael Harter, a graduate and 20-year volunteer of the National Leadership Conference who now serves as Director of Conferences, Community, and School Programs.

Here, Vogler shares how the AYF has affected her own family, why she returns to SSW each year, and what she’s looking forward to most as Director of Miniwanca this summer.

What was your first interaction with the AYF mission and how did it affect you?
“My first interaction with the mission was when I realized how much this organization has shaped the person my partner is. The work of best self is evident in his everyday life and seeing that manifestation has been unbelievably inspiring. I knew as soon as we met that the AYF was such a part of his life, and it would soon become part of mine.” 

What drew you to the AYF and how did those organizational leadership skills translate to your work with the AYF?
“The AYF holds a special place in my heart because I was able to see the impact firsthand in my own children after they attended Girls Camp for multiple summers. It was a mission I knew I wanted help share with as many others as possible. The necessary skill for residential senior care is very similar to that of residential youth camps, and it’s all in the details of day-to-day operations.”

How have your children’s experiences at camp shaped them?
“Camp has been transformative for them both. Miniwanca has given them the opportunity to try new things, meet new people, and grow in ways they might not have had the confidence or courage to in other spaces.”

You recently transitioned to the Director of Miniwanca. What are some of your primary responsibilities in this role?
“I have the really cool privilege of ensuring the team at Miniwanca has the tools they need to make our programs happen. It has been really exciting bringing in new staff to the Miniwanca family, and I can’t wait to be part of the magic they create this year!”

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
“I’m looking forward to welcoming hundreds of kids back to the dunes or for the first time and giving them a meaningful camp experience.”

Did you attend summer camp or other outdoor education programs as a kid?
“I was a Girl Scout and attended summer camps with my church youth group. The exposure to nature and getting to make new friends was the best!”

You have also been a regular attendee (and a 2022 presenter) at Summer Seminars for Women. How has this program impacted you?
“SSW is a really special program. I love how it brings together women from different generations and provides a space for them to focus on self and community. Every year I’ve attended it’s served as my annual reset and reintroduction into who I am beyond the roles I play elsewhere in life.”

What about the AYF mission resonates most with you today?
“I love being part of the work of creating a space where kids can come and know without question that they are welcomed, accepted, and celebrated. Every child in this world deserves a place like that, and I’m incredibly grateful for the daily opportunity to contribute.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Griffin Vogler appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

Boyd found Merrowvista while searching for a year-round camp role through the American Camp Association. She made it through her first New Hampshire winter and is excited to welcome kids to site for her first Merrowvista summer. Here, she shares her favorite camp activities and her advice for first-time campers.

Did you attend any camps or have outdoor experiences as a child?
“My mom worked in the camping industry for the last 25 years, so I had summer camp experiences since before I could walk. My first sleepaway experiences was at Camp Wyandot when I was 5 years old, and I spent the next 10 summers there creating my fondest memories.”

What is one of your most powerful camp memories?
“I remember sleeping under the stars for the first time. Every sound made m  flinch, but one night was all it took for me to find peace in the woods. I hope every child gets to experience being unplugged in nature, and the authentic relationships and memories that come from it.”

What first drew you to Merrowvista?
“I was drawn to Merrowvista through the mission. I know I would not be the person I am today without adults who invested their time in me and celebrated my differences. I love being part of a community that puts its passion for youth development into action.”

Program Coordinators are often directly involved in the day-to-day activities of our campers. What do you most enjoy about this part of the role?
“Often, the most impactful moments at camp seem to be the smallest ones. It’s the random acts of kindness, the encouraging moments, and the in-between conversations that leave lasting impressions. While many pieces of my job include planning the big events, it also gives me an opportunity to see the smaller moments, those little sparks that light a larger fire in our campers. I am thankful for a role where I get to not only support our seasonal staff but also share special moments with campers.”

What are the key things you hope seasonal staff learn during their time at camp?
“There is no question that working at camp is a difficult job. However, it is also one of the most rewarding jobs. I love watching staff gain confidence in their ability to lead and support campers. I hope anyone joining us this summer allows themselves to be present during their time here and not take for granted the gift it is to give youth a magical summer camp experience. While everything we do is for the youth we serve, I hope our staff members recognize what an impactful experience a summer in the woods can be for them as well.”

This is your first summer at Merrowvista. What are you most looking forward to?
“I am so excited to learn all the Merrowvista/AYF traditions. I love seeing the unique pieces that make camp so special and keep people coming back year after year.”

This will also be the first summer at Merrowvista for many of our campers. How can they prepare for their first summer camp experience? What advice do you have for dealing homesickness?
“Being nervous to come to camp is a universal experience for campers. Even kids who have spent many summers here get butterflies when they arrive! Don’t worry – within the first few hours you will be so happy you came.

“My advice for first-time campers is to bring a few things to make your bunk feel like home. It’s fun to bring pictures of your family, friends, and pets to share with your new cabinmates. Bring a few stuffed animals or a blanket from your bed at home. We recognize much of camp is unfamiliar, and it’s nice to have a space you are familiar with and feel comfortable in.

“You’ll be shocked at how quickly camp goes by, so enjoy every moment. You’ll be begging to stay a little longer by the end. Merrowvista feels like one big family, and we can’t wait for you to be part of it.”

You also just experienced your first New Hampshire winter. How was that?
“I never thought there could be so much snow at once! I am used to a few inches at a time, so I was shocked at first. That being said, I love winter and am happy to be in a place where I get to experience it to the fullest. I am looking forward to skiing more next year!”

What is your favorite camp activity?
“My favorite camp activity is pottery. I love how it provides a space to create something out of nothing. I spent a week at clay camp as a kid and have loved it ever since. I took pottery classes throughout high school and college and then had the opportunity to lead the pottery program at a camp in North Carolina. I am excited to get behind the wheel again and to see what everyone will make this summer!”

What are your favorite activities to do when you aren’t working?
“I love to play tennis, hike, explore new towns and cities, and find a good sushi place! I also love to spend quality time with friends and family. Moving away from them has made me appreciate those moments even more.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Aubrie Boyd appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

When did you attend camp for the first time?

“I was 13 years old when I first attended Miniwanca. As a middle school “tweenager,” I was eager to find a new adventure and travel farther than the Girl Scout and church camps I had previously attended near my hometown of St. Louis. I vividly remember my first moments at Miniwanca – the kindest, most welcoming staff who genuinely communicated their excitement through their smiles and one-on-one attention.

“Now over 30 years later, I can still recall walking with my leader along the wooded trail from 50-Bay to Downtown Miniwanca for the first time as she shared the history of the AYF property and why the organization was established. From that first introduction, I understood that I was an important and valued part of a much larger community.”

Why did you return to camp year after year?

“I returned to Miniwanca as a camper and NLC participant because I wanted to spend my time surrounded by other people who were joy-filled and excited about being part of a positive community. I returned to summer staff as a college student because I wanted to stay connected with the community and ensure the good work continued.

“In later years, I kept showing up at Miniwanca every summer with my young family because I wanted to purposefully spend my time and energy on behalf of others, contributing to a space where everyone feels welcome and valued.”

Why did you decide to join the AYF full-time?

“This opportunity emerged soon after I paused my career as a therapist and behavioral healthcare administrator. I have witnessed the powerful, life-saving impact that integrated, high-quality treatment and recovery supports have on an individual, their family, and the larger community. I also know the critical importance of supporting upstream prevention efforts to promote healthy youth development. I am thrilled to support the AYF as an organization that intentionally provides space and opportunity to enhance the social, emotional, and physical well-being of youth.”

What do you do as Director of Special Projects?

“With a title like Special Projects, I have the opportunity to contribute across the organization. I will be onsite at Miniwanca this summer, assisting our Camp Directors with program and our Community Care Teams with supporting the mental, social, and emotional health of campers and staff. Recently, I have been able to attend many of our Miniwanca open houses in various cities, which has been a wonderful way to meet new campers and their families, as well as connect with alumni and other AYF supporters.

“I am coming to the AYF at a very exciting time in the organization as we approach our centennial in 2025. My experience with organizational management and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams will be used to implement our AYF goals and objectives. I am excited to also work closely with the Advancement Team to identify and develop new partnerships across the country to advance our mission.”

What are you most looking forward to this summer?

“I am looking forward to living in optimistic and hopeful community! At Miniwanca, every moment is intentionally filled with purpose. I am excited for the sunsets over Lake Michigan while campers share their thoughts and perspectives in Evening Reflection. I am also really excited about the talents of our Food Program staff. I gladly welcome others to take on the task of meal planning and food preparation for me this summer!”

Outside of work, what are some of your favorite activities to do enjoy or take part in?

“I spend much of my time on the sidelines and in the audience, supporting my children with their extracurricular activities: soccer, swimming, track, tennis, orchestra, and theater. I enjoy traveling with my family and adventuring to new places. This past year, we were able to visit Hawaii, California, and Mexico!”

What is one of your fondest Miniwanca memories?

“My favorite moments at Miniwanca are when we spend time writing a letter addressed to ourselves. Across camp, as each person finds their own space to sit and reflect. The only sounds we hear are the birds and squirrels, wind and waves. We are alone with our thoughts and feelings, yet fully embraced with the physical beauty of Miniwanca and surrounded by others just a few feet away.

“This special time gives us opportunity to reflect on our most recent camp experiences and then envision how we will integrate what we have learned into our days back home. And then one winter day, the letter shows up in our mailboxes, and we are instantly reminded of our time at Miniwanca!”

What’s one of the best pieces of advice you ever received?

“Assume the best.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Advancement’s Sandra George appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

After working at summer camps in Hawai’i and Ohio, she recently relocated to west Michigan to take on the Girls Camp Director role, following in the footsteps of Emily Knuth. Here, Bethany shares how camp experiences shaped her adult life, what she’s looking forward to in summer 2023, and her favorite part about the AYF so far.

Meet Bethany and new Miniwanca Boys Camp Director Paul Kerchberger at a Miniwanca Virtual Townhall Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. ET! Learn more and join on Zoom.

What drew you to the Girls Camp Director role?
“I have always loved working at camp, and I love creating spaces for people to learn. When I was teaching, my favorite part (besides my students) was designing curriculum. As Girls Camp Director, I have the privilege of designing high-quality programs for our campers, and it really allows me to use all my skills and passions.”

Can you share some of your history with summer camps?
“I began attending summer camp in Ohio when I was 9 years old, and I cried from homesickness every single night! But I still had so much fun that I decided to return the next year, and after that I just fell in love with camp. I convinced the camp director to hire me when I was only 14 to look after the staff children. After that I worked in pretty much every role until I was a program coordinator. I then spent two summers working at a camp in Hawai’i as the activities coordinator and then two more summers working at the MetroParks day camps in Columbus, Ohio.”

What was one of your favorite summer camp activities as a child?
“I loved horseback riding! This was something extra special I only got to do in the summer. When I started working, my best friend’s mom was the barn director, so we got to take extra rides during our time off and it was a really meaningful experience.”

How did your childhood experiences at summer camp shape who you are as adult?
“Summer camp established such a strong sense of community for me that has helped me take risks. I am still close with so many of my camp friends who are always supporting me. I have the privilege of going through life knowing that even when I fail, I have people in my corner who will help me back up again.”

What prompted you to pursue education and communication disorders in college and graduate school?
“I have always loved learning and became passionate about understanding how people learn. For my undergraduate degree I learned a lot about the science of how people learn. But I didn’t want to miss out on working with children every day, so I took that knowledge and became a teacher for many years.”

How does that background inform your approach to outdoor experiential education?
“My experiences have shown that the best way to learn is by doing. I love getting to incorporate the science behind learning into creating programs that maximizes a participant’s experience. Experiential education has such a tremendous impact because it engages the whole person and allows new knowledge to stick in someone’s brain long term.”

What about the AYF’s approach to youth development resonates with you most?
“I love our motto ‘My own self, at my very best, all the time.’ It’s easy for youth to get caught up in comparing themselves to others, so I love the emphasis on doing what is best for each person. AYF’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is also extremely important to me. I’m thrilled to be working with an organization that is not afraid to question things and works so hard to make camp more inclusive.” 

How are you preparing for the 2023 summer season?
“One of my biggest focuses right now is hiring the best possible staff – they give camp that magical feeling. Having a group that is in sync and focused on providing the best possible experience for our campers is one of the most important aspects of a great summer.” 

What are you looking forward to most during your first year as Director?
“I am so excited for the first day that our 2023 campers arrive. I have heard so many stories about Miniwanca, but I can’t wait for that first day where I get to experience the buzz of everyone arriving full of hope and excitement. I think that day will stay with me for many years.”

What is one of the biggest challenges facing youth today, and how does summer camp help them meet that challenge?
“Our youth are facing a serious mental health crisis that seems to get worse every year. There is no longer a state of blissful ignorance while you are young. Kids are so deeply connected to everything happening in our world, and it seems the bad news outweighs the good too often. I love that summer camp gives them a chance to disconnect from the endless stream of information, create a supportive community, and allow them to just be kids for a while. I hope that camp gives them tools to better navigate the world when they return home and know that they have a network of people supporting them.”

What do you enjoy doing outside of the AYF?
“I absolutely love to read, and I love being outdoors with my family. We like to hike, camp, and fish. I have also coached competitive soccer for many years which takes up a lot of free time, but it has been one of my favorite things to do!”

What book has changed your perspective on the world?
“I don’t know if I can choose just one! One book I would recommend is Eric Klinenberg’s Palaces for the People, which talks about how social infrastructure like parks, libraries, and community centers positively impact people psychologically and physically. I also recommend Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery. It’s a biography of Emma Gatewood, who was the first woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail when she was 57 years old. I admire her determination and fearlessness so much.

How have your family’s first few months in west Michigan been?
“We are most excited for all the great outdoor adventures we can have close to home and being part of a new community. We have lived in a large city for many years and have felt disconnected from people at times because there is always so much going on. We like to live at a little slower pace.”

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the Miniwanca community?
“I feel incredibly honored to be the next Girls Camp Director. I am committed to keeping Miniwanca a truly amazing place that positively impacts the youth that come through our doors.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Bethany Wise appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

You became Girls Camp Director in summer 2021. Why did you want to take on this role?
“For me this job is a calling – I literally received a call from [AYF Vice President] Liz Marshall asking me to take on the role. Miniwanca shaped who I am today, and I want to give that same life-shaping experience to today’s youth. As a camper, we always joked that one day I would be the director, so when it became my turn to lead Girls Camp through this era, it wasn’t a question of if, but how.”

What were some of the biggest lessons you learned from your first summer as Girls Camp Director that you’ll apply to 2022?
“This year, I want to get out and spent more time with campers. I couldn’t do that as much in 2021, so I wasn’t able to see the excitement and joy as campers created in the Craft House or played on the waterfront. Witnessing those experiences feeds my soul on a personal level.”

You are also the Associate Director of the Prindle Institute for Ethics at DePauw University. What does the Prindle Institute do?
“Prindle’s mission is to create excellent ethics education experiences for all ages. In particular, our kindergarten through 12 ethics education gives young people the tools to think through complicated, complex moral issues and to consider multiple perspectives.”

The AYF and Prindle have forged a unique partnership in recent years. Can you explain how the two organizations work together?
“The camp environment allows youth to practice ethical reasoning in a safe, judgement-free space. Prindle enriches AYF’s core curriculum by teaching children philosophy through storytelling, then giving them space to practice those ideas through fun games and activities. These experiences help them understand moral complexities and how to make the best possible decisions in complicated situations.”

What is the value of ethics education for children? How does this tie in with the larger mission of the AYF?
“Ethics education teaches kids to ask normative questions at an early age – asking what ought to happen or what should happen, instead of just blindly following the rules. It’s getting them to think critically at a younger and introduce complex concepts in an approachable way. This aligns with the larger AYF mission of identifying their personal values and striving toward their own best selves.”

What unique challenges do campers face today that a summer at Miniwanca can better prepare them for?
“Campers today live in such a digital world. Camp allows to them to step away from screens and communication through apps. Campers need in-person connection more than ever, to remember how to communicate in person and live in community with others.”

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
“I love the lip sync Nights Doings. Each song starts with just one cabin performing, but by the second verse, the whole community is on their feet and singing along. There’s an unbridled joy that comes from performing in front of your peers like that.”

You are also a camper parent. How has Miniwanca affected your children?
“Miniwanca has introduced them to individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We live in a pretty rural, homogeneous area of Indiana. Camp opens my kids’ minds and eyes to other cultures and ways of life thanks to the intentionally inclusive communities we create each summer.”

What book has changed how you think or look at the world?
“Good to Great by Jim Collins is a great book that helps managers determine their teams’ skill sets and passion, then put them in the best position to tap those skills and succeed. As the director, I take a lot of ownership in staff recruitment and development – getting the staff to work at its highest and best capacity and abilities. The quality and the enthusiasm of our staff shape our campers’ experiences.”

What is one of the best pieces of advice you’ve ever received?
“[AYF President] Anna Kay Vorsteg told me to take time to rest during the summer. It’s hard to remember to take breaks in the middle of a session, but taking a rest allows me to better serve youth and work toward my best.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Emily Knuth appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

“I had never felt so included,” O’Hagin recalled. “That was my first impression of Merrowvista, and that’s the one I want to remember every time I think of a camper coming here for the first time.”

Nearly 25 years later, O’Hagin has held just about every job at camp, including her current role as program coordinator. Here, she shares her favorite camp memories, exciting summer 2022 plans, and her go-to author when she wants to escape into a good book.

You have had a lifelong affiliation with Merrowvista. Can you share your history with the AYF?
“I was 12 years old when I started coming to Merrowvista, and it immediately felt like home to me. I started working at camp as soon as I was old enough. I wanted to pass along the same Merrowvista magic that I experienced as a camper. Over the years, I’ve been an in-camp leader, a Four Trails leader, an intern, a Rhyolite coordinator, a Pioneer coordinator, a community coordinator, an office assistant, a kitchen assistant, a school programs assistant, and for two brief months, I ran Miniwanca’s kitchen (thankfully for Miniwanca, they found a full-time food program manager shortly after!). I loved working in all these different areas, because every time I took on a new role, I learned about another element of camp and new ways to support the amazing work we do.”

What is one of your favorite memories of Merrowvista as a seasonal staff member?
“I always loved taking campers on hiking trips. They were adventures in the wilderness where we could bond as a cabin away from the business of camp. Even when things went awry, we would push through those challenges together. There are so many memories from these trips that I treasure: campers seeing a moose for the first time in their lives, playing Mafia around a campfire, swimming in a cold mountain creek next to our campsite, coming back into camp covered in mud with giant smiles on our faces. Most kids I led on those trips are now adults with jobs and sometimes kids of their own, and I hope they remember those times with a similar fondness.”

You worked in education for several years. What did you enjoy most about teaching?
“Before my son was born, I worked at a local elementary school as a short-term and long-term substitute and paraprofessional. I loved that work. It was a fantastic school, and I loved getting to work with kids over a longer period than we have kids at camp. It was so neat to see kids learn and grow throughout a year. My favorite part of the day was supervising recess – I love watching how kids play and interact with each other when they got to be independent. “

This summer will be your first as a full-time program coordinator. What are you most looking forward to? What do you think your biggest challenge will be?
“I can’t wait to see kids diving into Dan Hole Pond, playing knockout on the basketball court, making friendship bracelets and talking with friends, climbing on the climbing wall as high as they can go, running the relay in the Four Fold Tournament. I am excited to have the Eating Lodge full of campers and staff. It always has a special buzz of energy when everyone is belting out a song after lunch. I think the most challenging part of summer will be trying to balance the needs of each part of camp – supporting campers through homesickness, helping staff with logistical problems, rearranging everything on rainy days and still finding time to put my own children to bed at night.”

Program coordinators work year-round. What do you do outside of camp programming?
“After camp ends, we begin the busy work of preparing again for next summer, which might involve calling up first-time camper families to help ease anxiety, hiring staff, planning staff trainings, finding new fun activities to try out the next summer, and looking at the post-camp surveys to figure out what worked and what didn’t in the previous summer. In addition to all this, Merrowvista will see an uptick in the schools that come visit during the fall and spring, and I’ll help support those programs, too!”

How has Merrowvista changed in the last 25 years?
“Merrowvista has grown so much, both literally and figuratively, over the last 25 years. When I was first a camper there was no Odyssey program (and when it was first introduced, everyone was a little skeptical of it). The Eating Lodge, Health Center, Boat House and many cabins and BIFFs have all been replaced, and the Activity Center was new the first year I was a leader. I believe the most important changes, though, are in our camp culture. Merrowvista has grown more inclusive, especially in our traditions as we move away from those that appropriated Indigenous cultures and as we adjust our programming to meet the needs of youth today.”

What are some of your favorite Merrowvista traditions?
“My favorite tradition has always been Candlelight Sing. On the last night of camp, we gather at the waterfront and sing songs that begin rowdy but slowly transition to slow and meaningful as the night goes on and the stars come out over Dan Hole Pond. As a camper, it was always a bittersweet moment of celebration for a summer completed and sadness knowing I would go home and have to wait so many months to come back, but I loved how connected I felt to everyone at camp in that moment.”

What is new this year that Merrowvista campers can look forward to?
“This has been my favorite thing to think about this year. We are adding a Superhero Dinner – kids can dress up like a superhero, and there will be staff dressed as villains but only one of them will be up to no good (and a prize for the Village that can guess who!). We are also bringing back some camp favorite activities like woodworking, archery, and pottery. Other ideas are in the works but not finalized yet: Camp Clue, Smugglers Run, Duck Day, a circus arts Interest Group, new service projects and maybe even new hiking trips. We’re also hoping to build little libraries and put them up around camp so no one will ever be far from reading material, and it’s my dream to put a loose-parts play area in the woods especially for our youngest campers to use.”

Outside of camp, you are also a trustee at your local library and always have a stack of books nearby. Did you love to read as a kid?
“I was one of those kids who would build cushion forts and curl up with a book and a flashlight. In fourth grade, I won a prize for reading the most biographies of anyone in my class. There’s just something so magical about losing yourself in a story.”

Which books have left lasting impressions on you?
“So many. It’s impossible to list them all. My favorite author is N.K. Jemisin, and I turn to her when I want a good fantasy/sci-fi book. I also am a big believer in the power and artistry of picture books, and my favorites are ones that remind me of my own kids. Love by Corinne Averiss is about a little girl going to school for the first time and the connections she feels with her mother, and I Love You Because I Love You by Muợn Thị Văn, which makes me cry every time I read it.”

What else do you enjoy doing outside of work?
“Outside of work, I have two lovely and energetic children (ages 7 and 5) who keep me busy, and I also love to garden and cook. I’m usually reading several books at once when I have time at the end of the day.”

As Merrowvista and the AYF look toward the next 100 years, where do you hope our organization is headed?
“In the next 100 years, while we are teleporting to our Four Trails trips and learning to hoverboard in our Interest Groups, I hope we keep our culture of inclusion and belonging, and I hope that we can continue to create communities that feel like a respite from an increasingly complex world. With that, I also hope we grow with the times and change in ways that I can’t even imagine yet. I know the campers who come every year will have those ideas that push us forward, if we are brave enough to listen to them.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Jamie O’Hagin appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

He volunteered on the National Leadership Conference and Miniwanca Boys Camp staff until 2021, when he joined the full-time team as Boys Camp Director. This summer, he takes on two roles: Miniwanca Director of Programs and NLC Co-Director. Here, he shares what summer 2021 taught him, how he cares for his own mental health during the busy camp season, and the one game he could play every single day.

Your career has always reflected an interest in youth development, particularly mental health. When and how did you realize this was a field you wanted to work in?
I first went to college to become a teacher, but decided the classroom wasn’t the most fulfilling career for me. I started working for various camps and outdoor education centers and earned a degree in experiential education instead.

During the winter, I found work in a psychiatric residential treatment facility, where I used the games, and group activities from my youth empowerment work. I intended to find another outdoor education or camp to work at the following summer, but a decade later, I was still working with that same company, this time as a licensed therapist. I used my background in experiential education to create an intensive outpatient program where kids who needed help could come and enjoy the experience of treatment.

Why did you decide to return to the AYF full-time in 2021?
The AYF was instrumental in my own empowerment. The mission and vision of the organization opened the world to a 14-year-old from a small Midwestern suburb. The rocky trails of Merrowvista and the sandy paths of Miniwanca are home to some of the most transformative experiences and conversations in my life. I jumped at the opportunity to bring that community together again, to give back to another generation of founders, especially now. I was excited at the challenge summer 2021 presented, and I’m even more excited to take on a bigger program year in 2022.

What lessons did you learn during summer 2021 that you are applying to summer 2022?
I learned just how important experiences in community are to youth and how difficult it was for folks to rebuild our community. We celebrated that challenge together.

We learned the founders’ vision of a balanced life is more important than ever. Young people made incredible sacrifices for the greater good and carried a great deal of the burden of the pandemic. The weight of those sacrifices affected them so many ways. Youth empowerment means listening to what youth tell us they need, and we learned even through adversity and uncertainty, young people thrive.

I remember early in the 2021 camp session, I watched 85 young people playing on Bryant Field and knew we brought more balance to their lives. We all came back to Miniwanca to rebuild the community. Next summer, we will return ready to build ourselves and each other even more.

What is Miniwanca doing to support our community’s mental well-being this summer?
Our days are long – Miniwanca doesn’t see darkness in the summer until nearly 10 p.m. – and there is an instinct to pack as much into that time as possible. This summer, we are creating programs that allow folks more room for balance while at camp.

There are few experiences more therapeutic than reflecting on the Lake Michigan beach in late June, and I know many people who have come to life-shifting revelations at camp. While our staff are not therapists or mental health professionals, it is still important that we recognize those needs in young people.

In 2022, this means recognizing that mental and emotional health is at the center of their development and empowerment. We know young people need extra help and support for their own well-being. That’s why we are taking time to train and learn as an organization. We will have staff trained in LEAD Camp Mental Health Certification to make sure the youth in our care are supported while at camp and have the skills, tools, and networks away from camp to grow, too.

You are also one of three NLC co-directors this year. What did the AYF feel this co-directing team was the best option for conference this year?
NLC has been staffed by volunteers for as long as I can remember, and it’s only possible because of their dedication. Erin O’Brien, Beth Wilson, and I have worked closely together for years at NLC, and our strengths really complement each other.

Erin brings a background in education and curriculum development to the leadership team. Beth is a longtime small business owner who pushes the program to its highest potential. We feel we are a great team to help the community not just with the immediate needs of NLC 2022, but also to build for growth in the next few years.

NLC reaches teens at a pivotal time in their lives. What value do you feel NLC adds to their transition from youth to young adults?
We give young people capstone experiences. We build the conference around finding ways to empower young adults to find their own agency for change in themselves and communities. We also create an environment where young adults can build their values and find ways to become their best selves.

Having a community to explore and build with during this critical developmental stage is so important. Many participants find a lifelong community in their NLC class. They have adults in official mentor roles who can be counted on year-round, not just at Miniwanca. They have peers who provide empathy and support. The NLC community is powerful for youth when they are hungry for community and connection in new ways.

What are some of your favorite Miniwanca or NLC traditions or activities you look forward to each year?
One of my favorite things each summer is watching the progression from “stranger in a strange place” to “founder of camp.” Giving and exchanging founder medals is a favorite tradition, and I really like getting another so I can give it away. Now I get to give them away by the hundreds!

At NLC, some of my favorite moments are celebrating the accomplishments of the Second Year Quest.  I love the bittersweetness of the last day of NLC, too. It is so rich with emotion and gratitude.

Miniwanca is a family affair in the Vogler-Harter household, and your three kids are also active participants in AYF programming. How have their experiences at camp affected their lives?
Even before their parents were employed by the AYF, the organization shaped who our children are today. Every year, even with such understanding of the programing, I’m astonished by their growth in a few short weeks. They are remarkable kids who can express their values, lead their peers, and better understand themselves and their place in the world because of their time at camp. We were afraid making camp a bigger piece of our family life would take away from the Miniwanca magic, but we couldn’t have been more wrong. They left camp in 2021 with the same giant smiles as they had every previous summer.

You wear many hats as Director of Programs and NLC Co-Director. How do you care for your own mental health and wellbeing, especially during the summer?
In the summer, I take time for gratitude in small ways daily. I try to stay present and participate in the community as much as possible. The fruit of my labor is the laughter and growth of youth in the program season. Being a part of that is so fulfilling.

I also make sure I take time to myself. I am a very introverted person, so small bits of solitude help me recharge. Sometimes that means a nap during rest hour, and sometimes it means standing in a field looking at stars in a rare moment of quiet.

In the off season, I love games and time with my family. Card games, board games, made-up games to complete chores – all kinds of games and play keep me in a positive mental space and able to be my best self. If every day could include game of cards, that would be perfect.

Self-care isn’t only about the fun stuff. Sometimes it’s taking the time to reflect on my own balance and how to fill my day with intention toward balance. It is impossible to be my best self if I am not caring for myself. 

The post Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Michael Harter appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

You became Food Program Manager in 2016. Why did you want to take on this role?
I was running a kitchen at a local elementary school, and I was unhappy with the heavy regulations placed on school meals and the restrictions on making food available to those who needed it most. There was so much waste! The Merrowvista Food Service Manager at the time let me know he was moving on, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to go full time at camp.

What were some of your top priorities when you took the job?
The previous manager had done some amazing work changing the food culture at camp. I wanted to be even more approachable. I love seeing shy campers learn to advocate for their own health and food needs. We have more staff and campers with food allergies and preferences than ever, and I try hard to accommodate and give them more options. I also wanted a kitchen that not only ran efficiently, but also has fun doing it. There’s a sign on my window that says, “We dance in this kitchen!” So many kitchens run with hot tempers and chaos, and I am happy to say we are the opposite of that.

People know the Food Program Manager plans and prepares the meals. What other elements of your job might surprise people?
I try hard to create meals for all dietary needs, which has been a fun challenge. Creating desserts or other menu items instead of buying pre-made or processed items is time-consuming, but very rewarding.

How do you strive to make camp meals memorable experiences?
Special meal days like Crazy Dinner and ’50s Night are fun! I think by far my favorite meal is always the first night of camp when we serve Pasta Bomb: pasta, marinara sauce, green beans, dinner rolls and grated Parmesan. The kids are so excited – it’s a meal they all love.

How do you encourage campers to try new or unfamiliar foods?
You would be amazed at how many picky eaters will try many new foods! We do “try me” bowls of local produce like Brussels sprouts, kale, or Queen Anne turnips so each camper can take one piece. If they like it, we keep larger bowls on the salad bars. Amazingly enough, they usually disappear!

The AYF Food Program Guiding Principles focus on educating campers on health and our food system’s impact on the environment. Why are these important messages for youth to hear?
It is so important for kids to understand where the food they eat comes from and the effort it takes to get some of their favorite items to the table. It builds an understanding of food sources and provides a great opportunity for them to form healthy eating habits.

You enjoy working with local farmers when possible. Why is this an important part of the Merrowvista food program?
We love our local growers and what they add to our food program. Staff especially love to see what’s in season throughout the year. I think it’s worth every bean in order to enjoy fresh produce and help sustain local farmers.

You believe working at Merrowvista has made you a better person. How so?
Merrowvista has introduced me to so many people and cultures. I have wonderful connections to people from all over the world who I would have never met. They have inspired me to be more open, understanding, and engaged. Before joining the AYF, I had a narrow view of life, never having been exposed to such diversity.

Your own children attended Merrowvista. How did camp affect their lives?
Three of our four children attended camp for one summer. They loved meeting and making lifelong friends from all over the country.

What do you like to do outside of work?
I love entertaining at our home and spending time with friends and family. I love to draw, paint, and do just about anything crafty.

The post Staff Spotlight: Merrowvista’s Kim Novotny appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

What drew you to the AYF in 2012?
Older participants had explained NLC and the mission of the AYF to me. I was a high schooler at the time, and the mission of finding my “best self” really resonated with me as an amazing opportunity to learn more about myself as a leader and as a human.

What was the most meaningful part of your NLC experience?
NLC creates so many intentional relationships between participants and with participants and staff. So many people I first met in 2012 are still people that I know I can lean on in the harder times. There are amazing volunteers at every age and from all over the country and world, so you can make cross-generational and cross-country friendships.

Why did you decide to join the Girls Camp seasonal staff?
After an amazing four years with NLC, I really wanted to dig deeper into the AYF and use what the program taught me in a constructive way, and Girls Camp was the perfect opportunity. The summer camp programs were a completely new, but complemented my NLC experience in a beautiful way. I got to work with our Senior Avail campers on service projects throughout camp and be their leader as they completed their capstone experience of Girls Camp after I had just completed my NLC capstone experience.

You were also a Four Trails leader. What is one of your favorite on-trail or camping moments?
One of my favorite Four Trails experiences was when our Miniwanca Odyssey trip rode into Merrowvista. Merrowvista staff and campers celebrated us and our journey and welcomed us with open arms. It didn’t matter that they didn’t know us or have the same trips – they welcomed us home as one big AYF family. They introduced us into some of their traditions (jumping into Dan Hole Pond) and folded us into their community. It was a beautiful moment of togetherness between our two camps.

What do you do in your role as Assistant Director for Girls Camp?
I get to work as a team with the Girls Camp Director Emily Knuth to help shape our summer community. We get to build our team of leaders, specialists, and coordinators, talk with families and campers throughout the year, and really design how we want summer 2022 to be. The best part is once we move onsite for the summer. We get to live in community with the campers and staff at Miniwanca as we all explore best self and balanced living and how we can apply that to life in camp and out of camp.

What part of the AYF philosophy resonates with you most today?
I think balanced living is what resonates with me most right now. COVID was a chance to reexamine my priorities and how I was living my life, and now I’m trying to find a balance for the ways life has changed over the past two years.

What are some of your favorite things to do outside of the AYF?
I love to bake – especially chocolate chip cookies. I spend a lot of time reading, cycling, cooking, and trying all the local food options around Indianapolis.

What is a little-known fact about yourself?
I work with students at a performing arts center, helping to teach them about technical theater, specifically lighting design. I’ve been the lighting designer for over 10 musicals and favorites include Newsies and Into the Woods.

The pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone. How have you coped with the challenges and changes COVID-19 caused?
Working in EMS/health care during the pandemic definitely gave a larger sense of purpose, but was exhausting and it was very easy to fall out of balance. To regain balance, I would return to the things that brought me joy – cycling, walking outside, reading, and baking. I also wanted to learn a new skill, so I committed to trying a garden and had a lovely harvest throughout the summer and fall that gave me a connection back to nature.

What are you most excited for in summer 2022?
I’m excited to be back on site for a full summer with campers and staff! You don’t get to meet as many people or create as deep of relationships when you are volunteering for a week, and I can’t wait to be with old friends and make new ones.

What camp tradition are you looking forward to next year?
Singing on the beach during Evening Reflection. There is something so special about singing with a group of people that connects you to one another, and the landscape of the sun setting over Lake Michigan could not be more beautiful.

The post Staff Spotlight: Regan Gibson Wiesler appeared first on American Youth Foundation.