What sets the AYF programs apart from other youth development programs, in your opinion?

Intentionality and the environment set AYF programs apart. The program curriculum and the staff mentality are so meticulously intentional. It all but guarantees participants will have the chance to learn and grow. It’s quite intense at times, but I appreciate how each moment carefully incorporates spirited fun and play. It’s a necessary balance with the moments of hard-hitting conversations in the NLC curriculum that require substantial brainpower.

All AYF programs are structured around experiential education, meaning the learning happens through activities. Those activities are only enhanced by the environment in which they are set. Programs are made all the more powerful by the dunes of western Michigan and the woods of New Hampshire.

What is one way the AYF impacted you and/or your family?  

I feel like my dad ought to answer this question. A bunch of AYF friends came to my wedding a couple months ago, and they told me that my dad made a point to share with them – while choking back tears – that he saw how much the AYF has had a positive influence on my life and who I am as a person. He had not had the chance to speak to so many AYF folks, and he made sure not to miss the opportunity to shower praise on its people and programs.

Why do you support the AYF today?

Personal fulfillment. I find it incredibly fulfilling to support an organization that has such a profoundly positive impact. As a participant, I got to experience the magic, transformation, and the awesome power of the experiences that AYF facilitates. It brings me joy and satisfaction to help in providing that to others now, knowing just how wonderful and meaningful it is.

Why should others support the AYF through financial gifts or volunteering?

The primary benefit of any AYF program goes to participants involved. But make no mistake, AYF staff benefit from these programs almost as much. Not only do you get satisfaction and fulfilment from helping others grow, but you grow yourself, you play, and you have new experiences you would never come across in day-to-day life. Volunteer with the AYF. You’ll be glad you did.

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What sets the AYF programs apart from other youth development programs?

“Most summer camps provide physical activity, social opportunities, and a taste of independence. The AYF goes much further, putting its values at the center of its mission.

“Merrowvista camps challenge our kids to get out of their comfort zone, creating opportunities for growth and empowerment. The staff actively cultivates an atmosphere of positivity and respect, fostering a safe space for kids to be their authentic selves. Wilderness trips require cooperation and teamwork, and the rustic camp lifestyle – both on and off trail – helps to remove social barriers that exist in the outside world.

“Anyone who’s interacted with the AYF has experienced these values in action. What has impressed us most as parents is the AYF’s ability to evolve with the changing times without losing its cultural foundations.

“Examples we’ve lived through include reframing the “R” fold, reducing the use of borrowed First Nation traditions, and adapting to the rise of smartphones and social media. Other organizations have struggled to make this kind of pivot. Having spent plenty of time at Merrowvista recently, we have seen firsthand that the AYF values and culture are as strong as ever.”

What is one way the AYF impacted you and your family? 

“The AYF, and Merrowvista specifically, has provided a uniquely safe and supportive environment for me as a teenager, for my younger siblings, and now for my children. It has been a home away from home, a community where I know that my children will not just be taken care of but valued, respected and seen.

“Each year our kids come home from camp having seemingly aged a year in only a few weeks’ time.  They are more confident, empowered, resourceful, and have a renewed positivity towards others and the world.”

Why do you support the AYF today?

“With all the challenges and growing pains the world is experiencing today, it seems that the values we live by at Merrowvista are becoming more rare and more needed. The AYF has a 100-year track record of nurturing young people, who in turn have the power to spread positive change through their communities. The Founders recognized this opportunity early on: ‘One enkindled spirit can set hundreds afire.’”

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What sets the AYF apart from other youth development programs?
“Now about a decade into my career, I hear discussion of balance: work-life balance, balance in our relationships, our relationship to working out, to our ability to be alone with ourselves. As I see adults struggling to seek this balance, I realize how lucky I was to have this guide to balanced living imprinted on me from such a young age. Balancing our mental, physical, social, and spiritual lives – the four-fold way of life, as we refer to it in the AYF – is an incredibly powerful way of being.

“There is a magic to the schedule of the days at the AYF. There is time for moving your body, for laughing with friends, for sitting and watching the sunset. You are challenged to find a space to be with yourself while surrounded by nature.

“By overcoming challenges in each of the four folds, you begin to understand yourself on the deepest level. The AYF is run by incredibly intelligent, intentional, and loving individuals, and it wasn’t until I was on staff that I understood how every moment is curated to allow young people to have the time and space to find their best selves.”

How have AYF programs affected you?
“The AYF taught me how to take on responsibility with maturity and how to handle challenges with steadiness. As an Odyssey leader, I remember feeling that every mile farther from Miniwanca was a mile I was responsible for getting my group back home safely. I felt the pressure but also felt my capability. There were true challenges: countless flats tires, downpours that set us behind schedule, participants needing encouragement to make it up that mountain. I found that biking 60 to 70 miles a day was the easiest part of the job, and I loved every minute of it.”

Why do I support the AYF?
“I support the AYF – and encourage others with the ability to do so to do the same – as I believe deeply that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, deserves to know the joy and freedom of a summer at camp. I returned home each summer happier, stronger, and usually singing the same songs over and over again until my parents insisted I stop.”

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What is your family’s history with the AYF?
“My great-grandma was part of Miniwanca, and then my grandma, and then my mom. My mom was a counselor here at Merrowvista and she brought us all over: me, my sister, Kate, and my brother, Sam. I have been at the Volunteer Weekends since I was a little kid. I started camp as soon as I could – I think I was 7 or 8. My brother and sister have also gone all the way through AYF programs, as well.”

Why did you sign up for Wayfinder at Merrowvista this year?
“Wayfinder is the next step in the Four Trails program, so obviously I was not going to stop and miss out on doing this with all my friends! My dad is new this year to the Wayfinder program, too. He is bringing his architecture skills to the project.

“I also want to earn my stripes and get my rugby. It is a striped sweater people get on their Wayfinder year (what used to be their Voyageur year). The stripes colors are unique to each year. I have spent so many years here Merrowvista that I felt it was time to give back what it has given me.”

What has Merrowvista given you?
“It has given me a lot. It has given me lifelong friends, connections with my family, like my siblings. It has given me an opportunity to go out in nature, which I definitely would not do at home.”

How has the AYF impacted your family?
“It has brought us closer together, especially with my grandma. And it has made me closer with my siblings. When my sister and I were here when we were young, I used to love spending time with her and because I didn’t really get to at home. And now she is one of my Wayfinder leaders. I haven’t seen her in months because she is at college and so is my brother, Sam. Merrowvista brings us all back together after being separated for an entire year.”

Outside of your Wayfinder project, how else do you give back to AYF?
“I am on the Merrowvista homecoming committee, and I come to every Volunteer Weekend. I have also brought some of my friends from my town here, and I think that is a great way to share this place.”

Why should others support the AYF through financial gifts and/or volunteering?
“I think everyone should have the opportunity to experience AYF. I know I am lucky to have gone through the entire thing, but some people aren’t. To be able to experience this at its fullest potential is a great opportunity, and it needs to be funded.”

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What sets the AYF programs apart from other youth development programs?

“The AYF prioritizes helping people strive to be their best selves and lead balanced lives. That might sound trivial, but it is completely foundational to wellbeing. The AYF also challenges people physically, which can help people take risks later in life. ‘I climbed Mt. Chocorua, so I can do this…’ AYF creates spaces for people to explore their spirituality and what is important to them. All this meaningful growth occurs in a warm, fun, supportive, and beautiful environment.”

Why do you support the AYF today?

“I am deeply concerned about youth mental health and look for ways to strengthen young people’s sense of self. The AYF provides healthy, outdoor, joyous, device-free, intentional, and challenging experiences for people — exactly the right approach to help our youth feel good about themselves.”

Why should others support the AYF through financial gifts or volunteering?

“The youth are our future. We want them to thrive and be leaders in their own ways. The AYF can help make that happen for youth if we support the organization.”

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Jan’s dedication to the AYF archives and her work as volunteer alumni liaison has resulted in a robust archives collection online and at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. Here, she shares the origin of her family’s AYF connection and why she’s still giving back to the AYF seven decades after her first summer at camp.

What is your family’s history with the AYF?

“Our family’s camp story really began with my mother coming to Miniwanca in the 1930s, when she was a struggling high school student. Her physical education teacher found a scholarship for her to attend the Older Girls leadership conferences. The teacher brought her to camp and even helped provide clothes.

“My mom’s whole life was changed. She was about to quit high school. But this teacher believed in her, kept her inspired about life and what she could become. That moment changed the destiny of four generations of our family.”

What sets the AYF programs apart from other youth development programs, in your opinion?

“There comes a time when you look back at all the benefits you’ve received, how your life has been shaped, who you’ve become, and you realize so much of it is connected to this institution. When you’re here, it feels like home. The people here challenge you, energize you.

“I learned how to have fun and how to play. I learned to look up to mentors. The conferences prepared me for college. But most of all, I learned how to compete without needing to be an all-out, die-hard winner. I loved the games, the teamwork. I think I really grew in that area.

“I also loved making song parodies, skits, and performing with a group. As an only child, that gave me a vital part of my social development. It allowed me to really blossom.”

What is one way the AYF impacted you and your family?  

“My daughter was able to come here, as well as four of my grandchildren. I saw them develop confidence and unique approaches to problem-solving that stood out among their peers. They’d talk to their teachers about what they did at camp all the time. The AYF teaches a very unique, well-rounded, and balanced life experience. It shapes how your family approaches celebration, hardship, and hard work in a completely different way.”

Why do you support the AYF today?

“The opportunity to continually be challenged, to make a difference, and feel a sense of accomplishment motivate me to seek out special projects. I love to learn, and then to put that learning to use. Experiences as an entrepreneur in the photofinishing industry years ago gave me an appreciation for the place photography takes in history, and family heritage especially. Volunteering is fun work.

“I enjoy having friends across the generations, as they make me remember what’s really important, and prepare for the future as well. Volunteers often do what the staff would like to do, but don’t have time to accomplish due to the day-to-day management tasks. Volunteers have the chance to be part of the value-added, which benefits all in the community.”

Why should others support the AYF through financial gifts and volunteering?

“It is a true opportunity to carry the torch and keep the organization strong for future generations. Supporting AYF helps to continue the opportunity for those who most need this light in their lives. Young people need a place where they can develop their potential; their best self so they can lead their world. For me, supporting AYF is a gift that keeps my soul singing!”

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Hughes still carves out time to volunteer at NLC as often as she can, and she returns to Miniwanca as her children eagerly attend camp each summer. Here’s why Amy Hughes continues to support the AYF 30 years after her first ILC experience.

What is your history with the AYF?
I was first introduced to the AYF through International Leadership Conference at Miniwanca in 1995. I was the only girl from my high school to receive the I Dare You! award and I was so nervous to attend!

ILC transitioned to National Leadership Conference a few years after I started. I completed my full four years of programming with my class of Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility). The program was so impactful, that I stayed on as staff until 2004 when I had to take a break to complete medical school/residency/fellowship training.

I returned to the dunes in 2014 and still to this day try to prioritize my June vacation schedule to continue to volunteer with NLC.

What sets the AYF programs apart from other youth development programs?
For me, it was the first leadership development program that was also a sleepaway camp. I had previously attended other leadership forums and programs, but even if they were multiple days, I drove back and forth each day. The ability to remain onsite and live in community with other campers brought incredibly deep and long lasting friendships. And we bonded over some ridiculous experiences about raccoons in the wilderness, which still brings us laughter today. I also absolutely love the focus of deeper self-reflection as a way to understand your personalized leadership style.

What is one way the AYF impacted you?
Miniwanca was life changing for me. I came from a privileged background of private schools, a comfortable lifestyle, and happily married parents. The classmates around me at my private school were all like me. There was very minimal diversity.

Going to Miniwanca, particularly my first several years when the program was international, was a bit mind blowing. To be able to deep dive into hard, emotionally challenging topics with teens from different countries, cities, and suburbs was the most eye-opening experience of my young adulthood.

It as the first opportunity I’d had to have those deep discussions in my everyday life. Being able to experience it through the eyes of a different culture, race, socioeconomic status, family structure, or gender was one of the most impactful lessons in tolerance, curiosity, and empathy. There are truly formative memories I hold close to my heart of very specific interactions that changed my worldview for the better.

How has AYF impacted your family?
My best friends are from camp, and so many decades later, our kids are old enough to start attending NLC themselves. I am so excited that my oldest son will  join me on the dunes this June for his inaugural year of NLC.

All three of my kids started attending summer camp at Miniwanca as soon as they were 8 years old and could register. They continue to go back yearly, and I can see the confidence it brings them to be independent thinkers and learn how to live without Mom and Dad beside them every step of the way. As my other two get old enough, they will also join Mom on the sand dunes for NLC, and I can’t wait!

Why do you support the AYF today?
I support the AYF because of their life-changing programming and because of the positive impacts I have seen in the teens I have helped facilitate and mentor over two decades with Miniwanca. If we can continue to encourage leading with curiosity, empathy, reflection, and bravery, then I think our world would be a much better place.

Why should others support the AYF through financial gifts or volunteering?
For the same reason that I choose to personally support the AYF: cultivating our future leaders in the art of curiosity, kindness, empathy, knowledge, and bravery will have long lasting impact on the future of our world as a whole.

The post Inspired Impact: Amy Hughes appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

What sets the AYF programs apart from other youth development programs?
“The AYF targets multifaceted participant growth both individually and through kind and caring community experiences that support and protect each other’s vulnerabilities.”

What is one way the AYF impacted you and your family?
“Three generations (so far) of my family have shared the four-fold way and AYF camp experiences both the same and different, including my mother’s involvement in National Leadership Conference around 1950, my three siblings and my Merrowvista camp summers in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and my children and niece and nephew more recently. Throughout all the life changes among us, our camp experiences, songs, and stories have provided a supportive thread that helps tie us together.”

Why do you support the AYF today?
“My family and I are better people because of our AYF experiences, and I want AYF to continue offering its current and new programs. Also, I received generous tuition assistance when I attended Merrowvista and hope to help create the same financial resources for campers who otherwise would not be able to participate.”

Why should others support the AYF through financial gifts or volunteering?
“First, over the last 100 years, the AYF has successfully delivered balanced and impactful youth development programming, so the AYF is a great investment whether personal or philanthropic. Second, the recent pandemic resulted in many camps never reopening and causing others even now to close after struggling to recover. The AYF has survived, but additional resources will enable it to return to and even grow beyond pre-2020 programming levels.”

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Here, Katie Bell shares why she and her family continue to the support the AYF year after year:

What sets the AYF programs apart from other youth development programs, in your opinion?
“What I love about the AYF is the opportunity for youth to really seek their very own best self. It’s celebrated to be unique and be part of a robust, positive community.”

What is one way the AYF impacted you and your family?
“Our family exists because of the AYF. Our parents chose it as a place to send us as kids. Balanced living – honoring and seeking ways to live the four folds in our daily life is what connects us as a family. Teaching this philosophy to our children from the very beginning has helped them grow into strong, wise, kind humans.”

Why do you support the AYF today?
“We support the AYF today because the organization fundamentally supports youth where they are today. It is an organization that has always seen the best in kids and provides skills and opportunities that so rarely exist elsewhere.”    

Why should others support the AYF through financial gifts or volunteering?
“We only have one chance to inspire youth to be their best selves – to offer ways to support the mission and growth of the AYF, keep the spark going, and encourage others to come and see, try and do, and see the good in the community.”

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