“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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“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 2025.”

Check out some of our favorite Spark moments below!

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“The SSW community appreciates and thanks SSW Coordinator Bridget Stack for her longstanding service, and we’re thrilled she’ll continue to join the program in the well-earned role of participant,” she said.

This year, SSW takes place July 31 to Aug. 4, and a virtual option will be available. Registration opens in mid-February, and Young is honored to deliver another SSW experience alongside a highly functional, fun, and devoted crew. Meet this year’s coordinating team:

Katie Belden LeGrand

Katie is a lifelong AYF participant and volunteer beginning in 1984 at Miniwanca Girls Camp (credit to Carol Davis Moakley, who insisted Katie sign up so she could win an AYF beach towel). Katie was a camper at Miniwanca and Merrowvista from 1984 to 1992, then returned as an adult to attend SSW from 2008 to 2015.

Katie lives in St. Louis, Missouri. She is originally from the East Coast and Midwest and has lived in seven states by the time she graduated from high school. She settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Joe, have three children: Sandy (21), Coco (19) and Finn (16), and two dogs, Nala and Kopa.

Her former career as a high school teacher, experiential educator, and outdoor education facilitator flowed naturally into her current roles of CrossFit trainer and wellbeing coach. In her free time, Katie enjoys practicing the violin, taking walks in nature, reading, spending time with family and friends, working out, yoga, and meditation.

Meredith Sanders

Meredith has shared her time, talent, and treasure in multiple capacities with the AYF, including: National Leadership Conference participant and mentor, volunteer at both Miniwanca Boys and Girls Camps, Spark Adult Retreat Team member, SSW participant, and an SSW Coordinator since 2022.  Meredith loves to facilitate personal growth and empowerment for adolescents and adults, and her passion for photography has documented many wonderful AYF moments.

Meredith, her husband, Justin, and their two kids have participated in Miniwanca Family Camp and Volunteer Weekends for years, and both kids will be NLC participants this summer. The Sanders family lives in Crestview Hill, Kentucky. When she’s not at home or at Miniwanca, Meredith loves to travel, play board games, and connect with camp friends.

Shannon O’Toole

Shannon began serving on the SSW Coordinating Team in 2020 and greatly contributed to its virtual programs, including SSW 2020 and 2021, Evening Reflections, Book Clubs, and YearCompass. She also launched her own business during this same period – Shannon O’Toole Coaching – and shares her expertise across many formats with a focus on leadership development and human resources consulting.

Shannon and her three sons, Jack, Charlie, and Max, and beloved dog, Hope, live in Kirkwood, Missouri.  Jack, who attends Loyola University in Chicago, is also passionate about the AYF, and will enjoy his sixth summer at Miniwanca Boys Camp this summer and his second at NLC.

Shannon said there’s never a dull moment when her whole extended family gathers for fun close to home and on travel adventures, and her beloved sister, Kate, adds immense joy, love, and fun to life. No matter how busy she is, Shannon carves out time to go for a run and get on her yoga mat.

Questions about SSW 2024? Email Holley Young at hyoung@ayf.com.

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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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The AYF  is obviously youth-oriented, but adult programs are an important part of what we do. Why does the AYF offer adult programs?

“Our learning, growth, and the impact we have on others doesn’t stop when we “age out” of youth-oriented programs. In fact, the AYF places a high value on lifelong learning. Adults bring experiences into AYF communities, and they take what they have learned during AYF adult programs into their communities, lives, and workplaces. Both are closely tied to a key AYF phrase: ‘One enkindled spirit can set hundreds on fire.'”

Do you have to be a former camper or staff member to participate in AYF adult programs?

“Absolutely not! In fact, the adult programs offered through the AYF have intentionally and joyfully reached out and welcomed people who have not been to Miniwanca or Merrowvista previously. Our expansive hospitality is a direct result of current participants having such meaningful and fun experiences that they tell their friends and colleagues about the AYF. Including those new to AYF programs enhances the community beyond words.”

How has the AYF shaped you as an adult?

“Where do I start? I always talked about the AYF during and after my years as a camper, cabin leader, and NLC participant in the early ‘80s. To graduate from college with a degree in Recreation Administration, I had to do experiential fieldwork and present a business plan. The fieldwork was at a beautiful state park over a summer in Wisconsin, and the business plan was something I dreamed up using the AYF mission, vision, and values as a general platform for my business called Young’s Camp for Adults.

“Throughout my adult years, I have leaned on the friendships and influences from AYF programs. The lifelong friendships I have developed are priceless. That I am now working in a part-time capacity for the AYF is unbelievable, but true. I could not have predicted this happening in a million years!”

Summer Seminars for Women is one of our longest running adults programs, and one you were active in as a participant and volunteer before moving into your current role. Why is this program so popular and bring back so many returning participants each year?

“SSW celebrates 35 years this summer! I think it’s so popular for a few reasons. First, the women created this program established a solid base that we use as a guidepost today. Aside from offering new content and tweaks here and there, we haven’t needed change such a time-tested, strong program.

“Second, the AYF and the SSW team offered virtual programming throughout the pandemic.  Keeping these important bonds and connecting people back to SSW’s foundational values meant that we could keep relationships with one another and keep the AYF going strong. We are thrilled that 25% of SSW 2023 participants are new to this program, and some are new to the AYF. People keep coming back because they want and need to refuel, learn, connect, have fun, and return home with an elevated sense of purpose, centeredness, and joy.”

Spark is a newer adult program that began in 2022. What is the goal of this program?

“Like SSW, the Spark adult retreat is multigenerational community of participants. While this reality is not an overt goal, it enhances the experience for all who attend, no matter what decade of life they are in. Welcoming people from all walks of life into an inclusive environment with individual, small group, and community-wide activities resonates with participants long after they return home. Having returning participants is a marker that we must be doing something right!”

How is the AYF trying to expand its reach and relevance through adult programs?

“We have extended virtual learning opportunities through book clubs, Evening Reflection programs, year-in-review programs, and staying in touch with our adult communities. Adding the all-gender Spark program also created an opportunity to integrate much of what works well with the SSW model within a program that attracts many who have been associated with the National Leadership Conference programs at Miniwanca.

“For all adult programs, we strive to have high-quality content that is relevant to current life, societal issues, and meet the ongoing reality that adults need and want continuous learning and to fill their often-depleted tanks across the mental, social, physical, and spiritual areas.”

What are some of your favorite parts of working with adult program participants?

“I love that our participants are “seasoned” humans, in both age and experience! This often translates into easily encouraging people to share their knowledge, talents, and skills when working in a large community. Our volunteer coordinating teams do amazing work to create excellent programming, and our participants are hands-on, helping with an Evening Reflection, offering an activity during unstructured time, and planning Night’s Doings.”

Outside of the AYF, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

“I love taking walks with my partner, Lisa, and our beloved lab Ruby. When we have the chance to travel, it’s our pleasure to have friends gather with us. My home is my favorite place to be, so between travels, it is relaxing and grounding to just be home with our local friends. I am a better person after developing a regular yoga practice, so I make getting to classes a priority. I also found that being in a monthly book club has broadened my perspective on so many topics.”

Anything else you’d like to share with the AYF community?

“As the AYF is knee-deep in purposeful programming this summer, I see it so much differently as a part-time employee than I did as a volunteer. So much happens behind the scenes, and AYF employees give their all to walk, talk, and live the values of this organization.”

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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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