Nearly 100 people dedicated an entire weekend earlier this year to clean out, fix up, and prepare both Merrowvista and Miniwanca for the foundation’s summer programs. They worked on raised beds for gardens, fixed cabin windows and doors, inspected canoes, and moved mattresses — just a few tasks on long to-do lists.

Director of Development Jessa Glick said these efforts are just one of several vital volunteer opportunities throughout the year that support the AYF mission.

“Part of serving humbly is supporting and ensuring the growth of these spaces, but also maintaining these spectacular facilities that cost a lot of money to run,” Glick said. “And so, to keep camps accessible to kids, we rely on volunteers as well as donors.”

Michael Harter, Miniwanca Director of Conference, Community, and School Programs, said volunteers invigorate the full-time staff.

“It is hard to explain the boost Volunteer Weekend gives the full-time staff after a long winter, as well as the seasonal staff who experience the results of that work as they get ready to embark on spring community and school programs,” Harter said.

As a foundation, Glick said the AYF offsets at least 30% of the true cost of camp for every participant when it sets tuition rates each year. Volunteers are just one of the many ways the AYF relies on its community to support these discounted programs.

“We are relying on the community that came before to help the present community have those same experiences,” Glick said.

The AYF offers a variety of ways for people to roll up their sleeves and get involved each year, including chaperoning camp buses from St. Louis to Michigan, helping with the Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament, hosting fundraisers, putting on community events, and staffing the National Leadership Conference.

Almost all AYF volunteers return for more than one year of service, and they are often former campers or families of current campers. When volunteers give their time, treasures, and talents to the AYF, Glick said they often experience what she calls a “giver’s glow,” when they feel valued and accomplished.

“They get to re-experience the feelings of growth and self-discovery they had when they were participants or when they saw their family members participate,” she said.

Glick said volunteering for the AYF becomes a way of life for many who recognize the programs’ impact in their own lives. “It’s a way of discovering how to get outside yourself and make meaningful connections with others, in service to others,” she said.

If you’re interested in volunteering with the AYF, email development@ayf.com for more information about 2024 opportunities.

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Nestlé Purina PetCare is headquartered in St. Louis, and each May, the company hosts Purina Cares Day, an annual day of service during which its nearly 10,000 associates from across the United States take time away from work to volunteer in their communities.

The AYF is a Nestlé Purina community partner, and both organizations share a common founder, William H. Danforth. Many employees are familiar with Danforth’s motivational book, “I Dare You!” and his adage to Stand Tall, Smile Tall, Think Tall, Live Tall, and Create Tall.

That spirit to serve others is the motivation behind Purina Cares Day, and the Purina employees arrived eager to learn more about the AYF and help support kids as they prepared for their first camp experiences.

Director of Development Jessa Glick and Development Coordinator Michael Robinson tasked the Purina team with preparing and packing more than 60 gear kits for campers enrolled in the inaugural Dare to Adventure program at Miniwanca.

“The AYF continues to expand its reach and relevance through programs like Dare to Adventure,” Glick said. “This program will introduce Detroit-area kids who’ve have never had a summer camp experience to outdoor living at Miniwanca. The program is designed to make access to the natural world more equitable for those who otherwise could not afford to attend camp. Making sure youth have adequate gear is vital to making these kids feel safe and welcome at Miniwanca.”

Director of Development Jessa Glick said in addition to helping pack all this gear, Nestlé Purina provided $10,000 to purchase the products. Each duffle contains items like a sleeping bag, a headlamp with batteries, toiletries, shower shoes, a water bottle, and extra layers for cool, wet weather.

Purina employees also took time to write encouraging letters to campers and summer staff, wishing them a fun, safe summer filled with learning and growth.

“Our connection with Nestlé Purina is vital not just because of our shared history, but also our shared community values,” Glick said. “Corporate partnerships like these help the AYF expand access to its programs, sharing the values best self and balanced living with kids and communities across the country. We couldn’t do that without the support of partners like Nestlé Purina.”

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“Volunteer support is vital to the success of our programs and mission to serve as many youth as possible,” said Vice President Liz Marshall. “From who join us at volunteer weekends to those who offer to chaperone busloads of campers from St. Louis to Miniwanca, we’re so grateful to everyone who shares their time and skills with our program participants.”

St. Louis-area volunteers are needed to assist at the Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, May 8 at Algonquin Golf Course. Interested individuals can email Director of Development Jessa Glick at jglick@ayf.com.

Registration has closed for Miniwanca Volunteer Weekend, but in New Hampshire, Merrowvista hosts its annual spring Volunteer Weekend from Friday, May 12 to Sunday, May 14. This family-oriented weekend is free to attend and will include age-appropriate projects and activities. Registration is required.

Looking to visit Miniwanca and support campers on the road? Development Coordinator Michael Robinson is seeking volunteer bus chaperones to ride with campers to and from St. Louis and Miniwanca this summer. Several dates are available for one-way and roundtrip volunteer opportunities. Learn more and select preferred dates online.

Volunteers can continue their service at Miniwanca in several ways this summer. Contact Director of Adult Programs Holley Young at hyoung@ayf.com for more information about onsite opportunities.

If volunteering is not an option, Marshall encourages supporters to consider other ways they can give back, such as purchasing items for the Gear Up for Camp online equipment drive or making a financial gift to the AYF.

“Every gift helps inspire the next generation of Founder Friends and enkindles their inner spark,” she said.

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“We all look at NLC as such a place of hope,” said NLC Co-Director Erin O’Brien said. “We see that in the participants, and it reminds us there are things to be hopeful for. Future generations will make big positive changes.”

This year, NLC saw new leadership under O’Brien and fellow Co-Directors Michael Harter and Beth Wilson. The three American Youth Foundation staff members worked hard to prepare a transformational eight-day experience for teens and young adults – familiar territory, as each spent several years as NLC volunteer staff.

Wilson said these dedicated individuals are key to the program’s success. “Volunteers work their tails off,” said Wilson. “Not only that, but they also have such a positive energy that we couldn’t bring without them. When I leave, my heart is so full because the participants and the volunteers give their all.”

This year, approximately 75 volunteers dedicated countless hours to planning and executing this powerful week. When volunteers describe their experience with NLC, the concept of community inevitably creeps into the conversation. It’s the driving force that motivates them to come back year after year – in some cases for decades – to put on a life-changing program full of tradition and transformational moments.

Most people join the volunteer staff after they complete the NLC program themselves. That was the case for Shawn Herron, but unlike most volunteers, he returned in 2018, more than 30 years after he was a program participant.

“It felt like coming home,” he said. “I don’t remember the curriculum and I don’t remember a lot of the specifics from 30 years ago, but I remember the feeling and the sense of community. That’s the biggest part of the experience.”

Herron credits the passion NLC elicits to the connection, commitment, and shared values of staff and participants. Herron also enjoys being able to support high schoolers knowing the impact NLC had on his life.

Similarly, Isabella Pallotto’s experience as a participant stuck with her. Shortly after graduating NLC, she chose to volunteer and give back to the program that gave her so much.

“We just get to meet so many great high schoolers who are truly leaders in their community,” she said. “It’s so amazing, and I think when we go back into the real world where things like the political landscape can be so hard, we can feel a little helpless. Coming to NLC and seeing so many young people who are so excited and passionate … that’s really special and inspiring to witness every year.”

Pallotto said everybody who attends leaves with new friends, whether they’re returning or first-time participants. The group works to make everyone feel comfortable and included from the start.

O’Brien echoed that sentiment, noting that volunteers and participants feel like a family who provides unconditional support to everyone and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. She added that many volunteers choked up when they saw the participants walk into camp for the first time in two years.

“There are so many people who have volunteered longer than I have and who have given up that time in their lives,” she said. “That’s not an easy thing to do, to ask someone in the middle of summer to volunteer two whole weeks of their time. I think it really speaks to how much we love what we’re doing, how much we believe in youth empowerment and how much it brings us together.”

Wilson said one of the reasons she continues to give her all to NLC is because during every conference, the participants teach her something new about the world or herself. O’Brien said seeing and experiencing everyone’s personal growth keeps her motivated.

“It’s life changing,” she said. “I think every single person who has been a part of it can say that NLC has changed their lives in some way – whether it’s relationships or the things that they learned while they were there.”

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At Miniwanca, Director of Operations Griffin Vogler said 40 volunteers convened April 29 through May 1. They put in a collective 320 hours of work installing a new porch on the Activity Center, raking and preparing the grounds, and readying the Eating Lodge and cabins for the campers’ return.

“This awesome group came together for some really hard work that helped us get ahead for the season,” said Vogler. “We’re so grateful for people taking time of out their busy lives to make sure our campers have a great space for camp this summer.”

Merrowvista hosted a Volunteer and Family Weekend May 13 to 15. Director of Operations Amy Simmons said there were 50 volunteers on hand, many of whom were children eager to get an early glimpse of where they’d soon spend part of their summer. Simmons said the volunteers leveled out the ground around the flag-raising area, while the younger (and shorter) volunteers stained 75% of the Sandcastle building. “Our taller adult staff will reach the upper 25% of the building,” she said, laughing.

A few volunteers were campers who participated in last summer’s Wayfinder program. They had the honor of placing the plaque marking their summer 2021 efforts to rebuild the North Star Shelter.

It wasn’t all work though. Both sites made time for fun and community connection. Merrowvista offered climbing activities and a Melbourne Cup Race on the A-Field, while Miniwanca ushered in the new season with the first frigid Polar Bear of 2022. Both sites closed their weekend of service with reflection around a Fire Circle.

“Each year, we count on our volunteers to help us open camp and make it clean, safe, and welcoming for all campers,” Simmons said. “We couldn’t do it without them. We’re truly grateful to everyone who gave their time and energy to support our mission.”

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