We’re thrilled to welcome two outstanding individuals to the Miniwanca community.

Sandra George – Girls Camp Director
Sandra brings more than two decades of wide-ranging experience directing teams in complex community organizations, most recently shaping strategy as the AYF Vice President of Advancement.

A lifelong Miniwanca alum, she has been a camper, a leader, a seasonal staff member, and is a current camper parent. Colleagues know her as versatile and thoughtful with a remarkable gift for bringing people together and a joyful commitment to the traditions that make this community shine.

In this role, Sandra will continue her work as Vice President and member of the AYF Leadership Team, ensuring the Girls Camp community has a strong and experienced voice guiding its future

Landon Schumacker – Four Trails Program Manager
Landon’s path to this role winds through more than a decade of Miniwanca involvement and outdoor leadership. He has served as a Trip Leader, Program Coordinator, and Community and School Program Facilitator. He was also a camper and NLC participant.

Beyond AYF, he has led backcountry expeditions from the Mississippi River to the Appalachian Trail, instructed outdoor courses in Joshua Tree National Park, and most recently, taught music in Michigan schools.

Known as a skilled educator and mentor, Landon is eager to shape the next chapter of Four Trails and help campers grow in confidence, resilience, and a love for the outdoors.

Sandra and Landon join a dedicated year-round team that works throughout the year to ensure Miniwanca remains a place of belonging, growth, and discovery. With this group assembled, preparations for summer 2026 are well underway as we look forward to another memorable season.

The post Meet the new Miniwanca Girls Camp Director, Four Trails Manager appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

Tiwi Freeman returns to Miniwanca and his role as Boys Camp Director! Tiwi  first connected with the AYF in 2010 through Merrowvista in New Hampshire, where he worked in a variety of seasonal staff roles.

He holds a  technology degree from the University of Southern Maine and combined  that skill with his passion for youth development at an  after-school enrichment company that created  STEM-based curriculum.

In spring 2018, Tiwi returned to the AYF as a Community and School Programs Facilitator, then joined the full time team as Boys Camp Program Coordinator in summer 2018 and then Boys Camp Director in 2019. He lives in Muskegon, Michigan with his wife, Sydney.

“I’m thrilled to return to the role of Boys Camp Director,” he said.  “I’m excited to encourage campers to step out of their comfort zone and try new things.”

Brianna Moynihan is the new Assistant Director of Camps! Brianna has attended summer camp for as long as she remembers – as a camper, then a counselor, and a director. Brianna is passionate about connecting youth with nature and developing those who work with youth.

Brianna is from Grand Haven, Michigan and has spent most of her life in west Michigan. She has a degree from Michigan State University in child development and organizational leadership. She has spent her career facilitating spaces where everyone belongs, taking risks is encouraged, and differences are celebrated.

“I’m counting down the days until summer and is ecstatic to be spending them at Miniwanca,” she said. “I’m most looking forward to unplugged time in nature, waterfront and adventure activities, and participating in all the Miniwanca traditions.”

The post Meet Miniwanca’s new Boys Camp Director and Assistant Director of Camps appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

The final dinner at camp was a celebration banquet hosted by the Avail campers. The banquet was Harry Potter themed, and the eating lodge was decorated Great Hall-style with four long tables separated by quads. Campers and staff alike dressed up and gathered together the beginning of the last night.

Closing Circle celebrated campers’ accomplishments and gave them the chance to reminisce on their three weeks together. Miniwanca shared the final quad scores, and the Ridges took first place and the shield. Some of Miniwanca’s oldest campers received their Avail shirts, or their Voyager rugbies as a token of their accomplishments this summer. The senior then campers closed the circle by lining the path with candles singing “Follow the Gleam” as the rest of camp walked out.

The night finished with a slideshow where campers saw some of their favorite memories captured for the first time and the Voyager Evening Reflection. It was a night of community that brought smiles and tears as campers prepared to return home.

While the session has ended, the memories and stories will live on with the Founder Friends of summer 2022.

The post A Bittersweet Ending appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

The return of the Voyagers, now called Nostos, is the last of the summer 2022 trip groups to rejoin Miniwanca. Nostos is a term from Homer’s Odyssey, and it is the word used to reference a long journey at sea and the return home from that journey.

Everyone, gathered on the green acre to watch the Voyagers come back to Miniwanca. As the Voyagers paddled in, those on the beach began clapping and chanting, “We are proud of you!” The Voyagers beached their kayaks and ran back into the water in front of the cheering crowd to sing Founder Hearts together.

When the time came for the reunion between those on the beach and the Voyagers, it was a magical moment. Absence truly had made the founder hearts grow fonder as the hugs and smiles reflected the joy of homecoming.

The post Homecoming appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

Session B’s cup was one to remember. It was a hot day, so the first event was an all-quad competition where campers raced to passed a soaking wet sponge down a line. The other all-quad event required everyone in the quad to put on, take off, and pass a large t-shirt down the line.

The other events did not require whole quad participation in one place, but everyone helped their team along. Foxtail chases and water bucket musical chairs captured the center of attention, but the background acts of unfolding a frozen t-shirt, building the tallest freestanding Lego structure, and creating a human pyramid helped bring in points.

It was a tight competition, but the Ridges (Bridges when combined with their Boys Camp counterparts) came out victorious. Shortly after the winner was announced, everyone gathered together to welcome Adventurers back to Miniwanca.

The afternoon was one of competition, but the evening was one of camaraderie. Campers enjoyed an all camp cook-out at Boys Camp before they walked back to Girls Camp. Once back at West Camp, there were s’mores and late-night dips in Lake Michigan. Some campers even chose to camp out on the beach under the stars.

The post Putting Friendly Back Into Competition appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

Earlier this week, singing and cheers the Eating Lodge at breakfast as campers wished the Adventurers and Explorers farewell. Each group got their moment to shine as Miniwanca surrounded them with love. The Miniwanca community traditionally sings “Happy Trails” to the Four Trails campers before they depart for their adventure trips – adding a hummed rendition of the Indiana Jones theme at the end.

This tradition is the final send off before daring campers will begin their outcamping journeys. For the Explorers and Adventurers, the journey is about a week long. These campers will grow in many different ways as they experience life outside with daily hikes, canoe trips, and tent camping.

Before leaving for the actual trip, Four Trails groups spent some time at Miniwanca preparing. They practice packing all their gear, putting up their tents, and reviewing waterfront and paddling skills to feel equipped for the trail. Finally, the Explorers and Adventurers head out on a “shakedown,” an overnight camping experience to put it all together before they leave.

In the final week of Session B, campers who have adventured daringly on their trips will return. The Explorers will return on July 22, Adventurers will return July 24, and the Voyagers will return by July 26. The last week of camp will be full of emotions and memories as everyone gathers together one final time this summer.

The post Happy Trails appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

Darers, Seekers, and Avail campers – those who stay on site the whole session – began new interest groups this week. The Four Trails campers – those who will leave site for a multiday outcamping adventure –spent the day preparing for their upcoming trips. The Adventurers finished up last-minute packing, while Explorers headed  to the Well Site for a shakedown, which is a practice hike and overnight camp out in anticipation of their trip.

A sense of connection is also growing among campers as new friendships made and the old relationships rekindled. Cabinmates are bonding, and quads are working together to win points.

Competition reigned during Night’s Doings: Quad Games. Everyone got a chance to play Nuke ‘Em, an elimination-style volleyball game, and dodgeball. Quad cheers and laughter rang as the quads all played together.

The post Adventure is Everywhere appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

The morning interest groups (different activity groups campers can select for a period of time every week) kicked off with a strong start as campers explored different experiences such as the Wanca Spa or outdoor games. Whether it was relaxing with a book by Lake Michigan or working with community service, everyone found something to fill the block.

Though today’s routine was typical, there are always a few fun surprises in store. A Taco Tuesday lunch even included a song in honor of Taco Tuesday. The meal was only the start of the lunchtime funsies, a beloved tradition where campers can play while they eat by kicking off different activities, such as asking another cabin to sing a song or surfing atop their chairs.

Midway through the first week, campers are making progress in all their interest groups and finding their rhythm as they settle into camp life. They experienced their first Night’s Doings after dinner with the Amazing Race, a camp-ified version of the popular competitive reality show. This was  one of the first events during which the quads could start to win points toward the shield at the end of the summer.

All in all, it was a terrifically typical Tuesday at Girls Camp.

The post A Terrifically Typical Tuesday appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

With a fun, safe summer in mind, the first full day at Miniwanca was brimming with different activities, including morning rotations where cabin photos were taken and afternoon interest groups that whisked campers into new activities.

Night’s Doings consisted of the Opening Fire, the traditional first Night’s Doings, where everyone is formally welcomed into camp, cabin groups introduce themselves, and quads are formed. The event radiates community and connection mixed with fun songs and even funnier skits.

The Opening Fire was the perfect event to preclude Evening Reflection, which promotes quiet thought before campers and staff call it a night. Session B is off to a wonderful start as campers settle in to their home for the summer and grow closer to being their very best selves.

The post The Start of Something New appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

Campers wondered what they would explore with the start of interest groups. Interest groups are camper-chosen activities offered three times a day. Campers can select from interest groups that are creative, like loom knitting with PJ, or they can be more physical, like archery with Maddy and Arely.

Campers wonder about all sorts of things, such as what’s for snack, but they also decide with intention to make choices that reflect their best selves. Each camper will grow in a different and unique way, but everyone will have the chance to learn more about themselves.

For the Avail participants (the oldest campers), they may grow in leadership as the Quad leaders and community service actors. The Seekers (middle-school age campers) may grow in their experiences as they try new interest groups. The Darers (the youngest group), will take the big leap and experience time away from home, maybe for the first time, while making new friends.

No matter the age group, everyone will explore new things, connect with new people, and wonder how to intentionally be their best selves.

The post An Intentionally Wonderful Begining appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

You became Girls Camp Director in summer 2021. Why did you want to take on this role?
“For me this job is a calling – I literally received a call from [AYF Vice President] Liz Marshall asking me to take on the role. Miniwanca shaped who I am today, and I want to give that same life-shaping experience to today’s youth. As a camper, we always joked that one day I would be the director, so when it became my turn to lead Girls Camp through this era, it wasn’t a question of if, but how.”

What were some of the biggest lessons you learned from your first summer as Girls Camp Director that you’ll apply to 2022?
“This year, I want to get out and spent more time with campers. I couldn’t do that as much in 2021, so I wasn’t able to see the excitement and joy as campers created in the Craft House or played on the waterfront. Witnessing those experiences feeds my soul on a personal level.”

You are also the Associate Director of the Prindle Institute for Ethics at DePauw University. What does the Prindle Institute do?
“Prindle’s mission is to create excellent ethics education experiences for all ages. In particular, our kindergarten through 12 ethics education gives young people the tools to think through complicated, complex moral issues and to consider multiple perspectives.”

The AYF and Prindle have forged a unique partnership in recent years. Can you explain how the two organizations work together?
“The camp environment allows youth to practice ethical reasoning in a safe, judgement-free space. Prindle enriches AYF’s core curriculum by teaching children philosophy through storytelling, then giving them space to practice those ideas through fun games and activities. These experiences help them understand moral complexities and how to make the best possible decisions in complicated situations.”

What is the value of ethics education for children? How does this tie in with the larger mission of the AYF?
“Ethics education teaches kids to ask normative questions at an early age – asking what ought to happen or what should happen, instead of just blindly following the rules. It’s getting them to think critically at a younger and introduce complex concepts in an approachable way. This aligns with the larger AYF mission of identifying their personal values and striving toward their own best selves.”

What unique challenges do campers face today that a summer at Miniwanca can better prepare them for?
“Campers today live in such a digital world. Camp allows to them to step away from screens and communication through apps. Campers need in-person connection more than ever, to remember how to communicate in person and live in community with others.”

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
“I love the lip sync Nights Doings. Each song starts with just one cabin performing, but by the second verse, the whole community is on their feet and singing along. There’s an unbridled joy that comes from performing in front of your peers like that.”

You are also a camper parent. How has Miniwanca affected your children?
“Miniwanca has introduced them to individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We live in a pretty rural, homogeneous area of Indiana. Camp opens my kids’ minds and eyes to other cultures and ways of life thanks to the intentionally inclusive communities we create each summer.”

What book has changed how you think or look at the world?
“Good to Great by Jim Collins is a great book that helps managers determine their teams’ skill sets and passion, then put them in the best position to tap those skills and succeed. As the director, I take a lot of ownership in staff recruitment and development – getting the staff to work at its highest and best capacity and abilities. The quality and the enthusiasm of our staff shape our campers’ experiences.”

What is one of the best pieces of advice you’ve ever received?
“[AYF President] Anna Kay Vorsteg told me to take time to rest during the summer. It’s hard to remember to take breaks in the middle of a session, but taking a rest allows me to better serve youth and work toward my best.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Miniwanca’s Emily Knuth appeared first on American Youth Foundation.