“There were Spark participants who had not been back to Merrowvista in decades, and to see their reconnection with a sacred place from their youth was very meaningful,” she said. “Because Spark at Merrowvista was ‘small’ in numbers, it created an opportunity for the community to form, connect, and truly bond as the weekend progressed.”

Spark began in 2022 at Miniwanca after hearing from several former summer camp participants who wanted to continue their paths of growth and self-discovery as adults. The program grew rapidly in its first two years, and the AYF decided to expand the program to Merrowvista.

“At Spark, we strive to allow adults to play, learn, and lean into the AYF four folds and balanced living activities that hundreds of youth experience during the summer,” Young said. “In this way, all AYF programs are encouraging youth of all ages to unleash our best selves!”

Young was excited to tap Matt Loper, a longtime Merrowvista community member and former AYF full-time staff member, to co-facilitate this program. “We were both immensely moved by the openness and vulnerability that our community demonstrated, and the intense bonds that were created in such a short amount of time,” Young said.

Merrowvista Spark participants spent time in community and small touchstone groups, sharing and reflecting on their time together. Young said one highlight of the weekend was keynote speaker Katy Belden LeGrand, whose presentation “Seeing Others and Being Deeply Seen” resonated with participants.

The community also spent time enjoying the vast beauty of Merrowvista’s stunning acreage in the mountains. “Hiking to The Ledge, talking around the campfire, and taking a plunge in Dan Hole Pond is a testimonial to the reality that practicing the mental, physical, social, and reverent elements can positively impact our lives,” Young said. “We left renewed and empowered to send our sparks out into the wider world.”

Young said Merrowvista Spark will return in the future, and she looks forward to reconnecting with this powerful community.

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Adult Program Lead Holley Young and Co-Lead Teddy Pins said the program was an excellent start to what will become an annual event.

“It was a great first-time Spark Retreat,” Young said. “Participants came from 13 different states and ranged in age from 25 to 67, making the community a dynamic multi-generational experience.”

Most of the participants had ties to Miniwanca through summer camp or National Leadership Conference, but there were a handful of individuals for whom Spark was their first experience with the AYF.

“Those who were reuniting with friends shared the generous spirit of Miniwanca hospitality, welcoming newcomers to a community that will be fondly remembered,” she said.

Guest speaker Darrell Jones guided the community in seminars on Friday and Saturday, morning meditations, and the Community Closing Circle. He also offered one-on-one conversations for those seeking further engagement. Jones is a minister, spiritual director, and mindfulness coach with a long history at Miniwanca as a camper, seasonal staff member, and NLC participant.

Pins said in addition to the seminars, participants enjoyed lighter moments rooted in Miniwanca traditions, such as Polar Bear plunges, arts and crafts options, games, and Evening Reflections.

“Spark gave us the chance to form a whole new adult community, and we look forward to reconnecting virtually throughout the year before we reunite on the dunes for Spark 2023,” he said.

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Summer Seminars for Women took place Aug. 4 through 8. This annual event went virtual in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and staff and participants were thrilled to gather in person on the dunes again.

“It was wonderful to see so many women making real connections and learning more about themselves and each other,” said Holley Young, AYF Adult Program Lead.

Participants spend the long weekend discussing how this year’s theme, Finding Balance, applied to their lives. Presenters Kelly Patterson, Tucker Branham, and Griffin Vogler also shared their insights around this important topic.

“Balanced living is foundational to all AYF programming, and it’s so important to stop and reflect on how we can assess and, if necessary, regain that balance,” said AYF Vice President Liz Marshall. “SSW provided a welcoming, supportive space for participants to reflect and grow as they do this work.”

The following weekend, dozens of Miniwanca Girls Camp alumni returned to their beloved camp for a weekend of fun, nostalgia, and connection.

Former Girls Campers of all ages felt like kids again as they rushed into Lake Michigan for Polar Bear, tried new Interest Groups, played rounds of Deck Tennis and Captainball, enjoyed delicious meals in the Eating Lodge, and reflected together during Candlelight Sing and Something Sacred.

“We have such a dedicated and supportive alumni base. It was a pleasure to welcome them back to camp after having to delay the reunion for two years,” said Molly Mulcahy, Director of Alumni and Community Relations.

Summer Seminars for Women will return in 2023 and Girls Camp Reunion will return in 2025. Sign up for the free Founder Sparks newsletter and be among the first to know when registration opens.

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The book selection originated from the coordinators of AYF’s Summer Seminars for Women. SSW Coordinator Bridget Stack said they were drawn to the text as an invitation to explore how white people benefit from privilege in ways that cause damage to Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).

“I heard about a powerful discussion group on this book, and it immediately struck me as great material for the SSW community,” explained Stack. While prior programs included community building and conversation, this was the first offering for adults to address social justice issues and to dedicate time to the aspect of the AYF mission that encourages people to “make a positive difference.”

In March, 40 adults enrolled in the first Conversation Circles. Meeting through Zoom in biweekly sessions, they worked through the text using a process of group conversation and inquiry called The Circle Way, a structured method of exploring the book. Each week, the participants revisited the expectations for the program, and then broke into their smaller conversation groups, where they rotated the role of “guardian” of the circle. Rather than serving as group leader, the guardian focused on maintaining the integrity of the group by keeping time, ensuring all members could share, and maintaining agreements to speak with respect. This strong group structure created a safe setting for sharing that went deep into the participants’ personal experiences.

Members of the AYF community are committed to putting their values into action, and this book offers a roadmap to constructively teach readers what they can do to further racial justice.

Stack was struck by the commitment participants showed to attend consistently, show up with honesty, and share in the sometimes painful process of acknowledging their privilege. “It was powerful to see this group of women delve into the challenging work of acknowledging how racism is present in our lives and how the things we think, say, or do have the unintended effect of perpetuating white ” she said.

Many participants said they were moved by the process of building trust in the small group setting. Participant Peggy Rush said it made the experience of reading this challenging book much richer. “Although each of us entered the process with a different level of experience and understanding, we ended up in similar kind, empathetic, and caring places at the end,” she said.

Other virtual adult offerings continue to draw the SSW participants and other alumni toward the AYF. Monthly Evening Reflections, a New Year Compass series, and a full virtual Summer Seminars series in July filled out the year. AYF Director of Alumni Relations Molly Mulcahy said she has seen the community grow through these experiences.

“It’s not just a process of reminiscing, but about having a real connection in the present with old and new friends, learning new material, and daring to work to make change,” Mulcahy said.

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