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.

The post AYF expands Spark Adult Retreat to Merrowvista appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

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!

The post Meet the Spark 2024 Coordinating Team appeared first on American Youth Foundation.