“It’s inspiring to see so many adults dedicated to personal growth through all ages and stages of life,” Young said. “We had so much fun in community with one another, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone back in 2026.”

Check out some of our favorite Spark moments below!

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This year, Spark welcomes keynote speaker Robin Dennany. She will share the concept of “The Hero’s Journey,” a powerful idea explored by author and teacher Joseph Campbell. The concept posits that all stories are iterations of a single, timeless myth. During this session, she will guide us through how understanding our own personal journey can help us connect with ourselves and others and build stronger communities. Robin will facilitate our exploration individually and with our collective Spark community.

Robin’s journey with the American Youth Foundation began in 2010 as a Voyageur leader, guiding groups of teenagers on transformative 21-day wilderness kayaking trips. From the beginning, she was inspired by the AYF principles of best self, four-fold living, and building positive community, leading her to become a full-time Community and Schools Program Coordinator later that same year.

As a mother of two daughters, Robin’s family is embedded in the AYF community, and she returns to the dunes at any opportunity. Her eldest daughter will attend her second summer at Miniwanca in 2025, and both eagerly count down the days to Volunteer Weekend each year. Robin believes Miniwanca feels more like home than anywhere else, a place where the bonds of community are nurtured, and a place that has shaped her life.

Currently, Robin serves as the Aquatics Director for the Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore, where she trains the next generation of lifeguards, water safety instructors, first aid responders, and babysitters. Despite identifying as an introvert, Robin finds purpose and grounding in facilitating groups and practicing servant leadership. She is also an active board member and semiannual pulpit speaker at Harbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation, where she continues to lead and serve with humility.

Over the years, Robin has honed her leadership skills, facilitating a wide range of groups and leading quests for the National Leadership Conference. She has also been a passionate participant in Spark since its inception, which has been a vital source of personal rejuvenation. It is fitting that she is returning to Spark in a capacity of sharing her knowledge and “giving back” to this beloved community! In her spare time, Robin is a passionate multimedia artist and gardener. She enjoys blending creativity with nature and finds peace and inspiration in her art and the natural world.

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Director of Adult Programs Holley Young said after two successful years running Spark at Miniwanca, the AYF wanted to extend this unique adult offering to its Merrowvista community.

“The Miniwanca Spark program doubled in participation from 2022 to 2023,” she said. “It was clear our community needed and wanted continued learning that includes people who have aged out of camp programs, those returning to the AYF after being away for many years, and those who are newly being introduced to the AYF community.”

During this three-day retreat, participants will gather for an experience that will nourish then mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually while reconnecting with the beautiful natural environment of the Ossipee Mountains. Spark will include large and small group learning, time for reflection and community sharing, outdoor adventures, and delicious meals.

Young said while the Spark programming components will be equally enriching at both sites, the Merrowvista retreat is one day shorter than Miniwanca’s as the AYF team pilots the New Hampshire program.

“Both locations offer awe-inspiring natural beauty, the activities will differ at Merrowvista simply due to the landscape!  We’ll have access to hiking and climbing, as well as waterfront options that differ between a Lake Michigan and a Dan Hole Pond experience,” she said. “After this first inaugural Merrowvista Spark, we may plan to extend the retreat weekend in 2025!”

A familiar face will welcome Spark participants to Merrowvista. Longtime AYF community member and former employee Matt Loper will return to co-lead the program with Young.

“Once a part of this community, always a part of it! In many ways, I don’t feel like I’m returning to AYF. This philosophy, way of living, and the impact this amazing community has had on how I navigate life haven’t diminished,” he said. “Returning to Merrowvista feels like a recharge, rekindling the impact this community has had on me. Now, with more experience in facilitating adults and insights from my graduate studies in clinical mental health counseling, I bring a deeper understanding of the psychological science behind the transformative power of AYF experiences.”

Loper encouraged everyone age 21 and older to consider joining the Spark community. “This program is designed for adults seeking to reconnect with a community adept at fostering personal growth and with the natural world,” he said. “This is for anyone who’s looking for a boost of inspiration to keep their actions, thoughts, and community focused on leading a life of purpose.”

The retreat will close Sunday after light breakfast and a short morning session. Young and Loper welcome participants’ families to join in the fun after for an optional lunch and time to join activities before heading home.

For more information or questions, interested individuals can contact Young at hyoung@ayf.com.

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AYF Director of Adult Programs Holley Young is pleased to introduce the 2024 Coordinating Team and thanks two departing members, Teddy Pins and Meredith Sanders. “We appreciate Meredith and Teddy’s tireless work as they helped lay the groundwork for very first Spark in 2022,” she said.

Registration for Spark 2024 opens March 15. Meet this year’s Coordinating Team:

Michael Robinson

Michael Robinson first encountered the mission of the AYF as an NLC participant from 2008 to 2011. His sister and cousin attended the International Leadership Conference in the 1990s. As a member of the class Deeply Rooted, NLC had a profound impact on Robinson’s life, and he carried many lessons from that time into his adult life. He learned that it’s okay to walk into a space and be himself and different from others, as well as how to create an inner safe space.

Though his career took him through retail and banking, Robinson never forgot the AYF and returned in a full-time capacity as Development Coordinator on the Advancement team in 2023. Michael primarily works with donor and alumni information, including collection and processing of fundraising data, correspondence, reporting, supporting the St. Louis office, and running the buses to Miniwanca in the summer. He returned to AYF because he wants to make an impact and give back to the place that gave him so much.

Michael’s favorite part of the job is working with volunteers and making new connections with the community at large. His role on the Miniwanca Spark team is truly a perfect match! In his non-working life, Michael enjoys time with family and friends, researching family history, going to the movies, and trying new restaurants.

Beth Wilson

Beth has been involved in the AYF community since 1989, missing only two years out of 30 to start a family. She was a member of the NLC class To Seek Again and Again. Since then, she has served in many volunteer and leadership roles within NLC, including a member of the central staff, and has mentored two amazing classes, Collective Work and Responsibility and Unite Together for Good.

Beth has been a member of the Spark team at Miniwanca since its inception in 2022 and has watched it nearly double in size in just two years! Beth has also worked on Miniwanca summer camp seasonal staff, has participated in each Miniwanca volunteer weekend, and has volunteered for the Michigan Middle School Leadership Initiative. She is also a regular volunteer at the Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament and at many St. Louis-area AYF alumni gatherings.

Beth currently serves as an NLC Co-Director and also focuses on NLC scholarships, particularly the I Dare You Scholarship. Beth also owns her own hair salon, The Basement Hair Salon in Richmond Heights, Missouri. She and her husband live in St. Louis and have two children, a freshman in college and a high school senior, as well as Mooch, their beloved family dog.

Shawn Herron 

Shawn first connected with the American Youth Foundation more than 30 years ago as a participant in the 1991 National Leadership Conference class To Encircle with Creative Energy. He returned to Miniwanca a few years ago to participate in the Living the Mission adult retreat.  Since then, he has served on the NLC staff, most recently as one of the mentors for the 2026 class Forged by the Fire Within.

Growing up on a farm in northwest Missouri, he went to college at University of Missouri and Iowa State. Shawn moved to Maryland 23 years ago and lives in Annapolis with his husband, Phuoc. They love spending time with family and friends and traveling as much as possible. In his civilian job, he leads a portfolio of research and development projects to modernize air traffic management and air traffic systems. Shawn also serves as a colonel in the Army Reserve and leads an organization that is part of the 75th Innovation Command focused on Army transformation and modernization.

Shawn also served as a member of the inaugural Spark team in 2022. He is excited to rejoin and looks forward to being with everyone for the third Spark adult retreat!

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Attendance at Miniwanca’s four-day Spark 2023 retreat nearly doubled in its second year as 62 people gathered for reflection, connection and introspection. Many were returning to camp after years away, but some were brand new to the AYF.

The program, held from Sept. 21-24, incorporated workshops, personal reflection, small group and community-wide experiential programs, and time to soak in the beauty of Miniwanca.

Darrell Jones returned as keynote speaker. He is a minister, spiritual director and mindfulness coach with a long history at Miniwanca. His partner, Cari Jacobson, joined him to create a dynamic weekend.

“Adults appreciate the opportunity to unplug and gather in community and have a high-quality program experience, while also having the flexibility to enjoy free time, rest and rejuvenate,” Holley Young, director of adult programs, said. “Having ideal weather all weekend was a fantastic bonus that allowed for hiking, swimming in Lake Michigan, tubing down Stony Creek and climbing Old Baldy.”

The daily schedule included programming that was led by presenters and Spark participants, including three nights of “Evening Reflections,” where participants led a small team of people and created their program around a daily theme.  Each small team selected readings, music or a community activity.

“This is just one example of having the Spark Community lean into being a part of the overall Spark offerings,” Young said, noting this year’s program was a success because of the active engagement from everyone who participated.

In a post-program survey, participants said they appreciated the balance between social engagement and time for solitude. They also highlighted the program’s beach sunsets and morning meditations.

“I would like to think each person went home thinking how they can connect young people with the program,” one attendee wrote in their survey response. “We were sparked both personally to our core and couldn’t stop talking the whole drive home.”

Attendees also went tubing on the creek, had a game night, gathered around campfires and played Bingo.

One participant wrote in their survey response that Spark was a privilege to attend and “be surrounded by such amazing humans in a beautiful space.”

“My hope for next year’s Spark would be to simply provide a platform for all who attend have this type of takeaway when returning home!” Young said.

Spark aligns with the AYF’s value of growing together through all life’s stages and invites adults to experience a retreat with tangible takeaways in a safe, fun and welcoming environment. Spark will return to Miniwanca September 12-15, 2024.

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