Led by new Program Coordinator Presli Schumacker, these campers experienced traditional camp activities such as swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, high ropes and rock climbing courses, as well as quieter moments of reflection and discussion about their values and what access to the outdoors means to them.

Conferences, Community, and School Programs Director Michael Harter said the program had a profound impact on its young campers. “Everyone wants to come back for summer camp in 2025,” he said. “One participant even said she wanted to try Four Trails.”

Harter said Dare to Adventure and other programs like it are important as the AYF heads into its next 100 years “Dare to Adventure is only in its second year and in the early stages of its design. We’re excited to see where it goes,” he said. “Programs like this are important because they help us expand the reach and impact of our mission for kids who otherwise would not have had this experience.”

Harter encouraged anyone who knows of campers enter grades 7 and 8 who could benefit from a first-time experience like Dare to Adventure to contact him for more information at mharter@ayf.com.

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These kids were the first to participate in the four-day program designed to introduce youth from the Detroit and East Lansing, Michigan areas to the American Youth Foundation programming.

Ambrean Ford, Director of Community Life, Diversity, and Inclusion, said Dare to Adventure aimed to provide more equitable access to the outdoors and the AYF by offering a low-cost, mini-camp experience. To participate, campers must hold at least one historically marginalized identity (including but not limited to Black/African American, Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander, Latinx, Indigenous, multi-ethnic, or LGBTQAI+) and have never experienced a summer camp before.

Ford worked closely with Teen Hype and Detroit Achievement Academy to spread the word about the new program. During Dare to Adventure, these campers experienced traditional camp activities such as swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, high ropes and rock climbing courses, outdoor cooking and camping skills, and lots of fun, active games. They also enjoyed quieter moments of reflection and discussion about their values and what the outdoors means to them.

“Over the four days of camp, we saw campers who had never slept outside, swam in a lake, or hiked a dune find comfort and joy in their unfamiliar surroundings,” Ford said. “Campers spoke of being less scared of the woods and more open to exploring around camp.”

Dare to Adventure was staffed with volunteers and Mulcahy Fellows, seasonal AYF staff who hold similar backgrounds and identities to the campers. The fellows also helped develop and plan the program starting in early 2023.

“Dare to Adventure really wouldn’t exist without Mulcahy Fellows. They worked in different roles and helped to bring the fun!” Ford said. “It helped the campers transition into the new experience to have staff that visibly represented them and their identities. Many fellows worked the eight previous weeks in our other summer camp programs and then found the energy to make another week happen for the Dare to Adventure campers. It was very inspiring to watch our vision become a real program just one year after thinking it up.”

Ford said her favorite moment of the program came during the final Evening Reflection, when campers were invited to share their individual experiences.

“So many campers stood up and said what being there had meant to them,” she said. “And though they were tired from the walking and annoyed with the bugs, each of them said they wanted to return to this place next year to feel that kind of happiness and community again. It was hard to not tear up over their unscripted reflections and how there was so much positive learning that came from them adventuring daringly.”

Ford sees the potential and promise of Dare to Adventure and hopes to watch it – and these campers – grow each year.

“There are so many future campers out there who would love summer camp and just need that first experience,” she said. “The need and want for the program are out there. The passion to staff the program is growing. I have faith that this camp has the potential to enkindle thousands of spirits and create new AYF communities.”

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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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The Dare to Adventure program, which will take place Aug. 8 to 11, will be a four-day outdoor educational experience for youth entering grades 7 and 8 from the Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan areas. Registration is now open.

Director of Community Life, Diversity, and Inclusion Ambrean Ford said Dare to Adventure aims to provide more equitable access to the outdoors and AYF programs by offering a low cost, mini-camp experience. Miniwanca staff and Mulcahy Fellows, seasonal AYF staff who hold similar backgrounds and identities to the campers, will lead traditional AYF activities designed to introduce youth to the outdoors and experience living joyfully in nature.

“The AYF is actively trying to find more ways to provide equitable access to the outdoors to more families each year,” Ford said. “Historically, systemic barriers in the U.S. such as discrimination, cost, and location have prevented people of color from accessing nature and nature-based education. Dare to Adventure programming is created with this in mind.”

To participate in Dare to Adventure, a camper must never have attended summer camp and must hold at least one historically marginalized identity (such as Black/African American, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, or others). Also, their primary caregiver’s household income must be at or below the living wage for Wayne County. Families will pay a one-time $10 registration fee.

“Offering this program for only a $10 fee allows us to bring first-time participants to our camps and show them what positive experiences in nature can do for their lives,” Ford said. “Not all families have the extra funds to send their kids to our summer camp programs, and it’s important we find new ways to make sure those kids still get these experiences.”

Campers will participate in traditional camp activities such as swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, high ropes and rock-climbing courses, outdoor cooking and camping skills, and lots of fun, active games. They will also enjoy quieter moments of reflection and discussion about their values and what access to the outdoors means to them.

Ford said the Mulcahy Fellows created the foundation for Dare to Adventure in spring 2022.

“The foundation for the program was created during the first Mulcahy Fellow summer retreat in 2022,” Ford said. “There we decided how we would provide a brave space for the participants to challenge themselves. During the program, they will be present as direct support for participants each day.”

Ford encouraged anyone curious to learn more about Dare to Adventure to email her directly at aford@ayf.com. “More than anything, we want Dare to Adventure participants to feel the joy that comes from spending time in the AYF community,” she said.

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