{"id":37292,"date":"2025-03-25T16:10:34","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T21:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ayf.com\/?page_id=37292"},"modified":"2025-05-07T16:26:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T21:26:14","slug":"ayf-centennial-timeline","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ayf.com\/centennial\/ayf-centennial-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"AYF Centennial Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"

AYF Centennial<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Our First 100 Years<\/div>

Explore highlights from the American Youth Foundation's 100-year history and learn more about the evolution of our youth development organization. Curious to learn more? Dig deep into the AYF Online Archives<\/a> and share your own camp memorabilia.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1911<\/a><\/div>
\"1911\"<\/a><\/div>

Founders John L. Alexander, William H. Danforth, Preston G. Orwig and Richard A. “Dad” Waite meet at a conference in Lake George, New York.  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1914<\/a><\/div>

The Founders pioneer the first youth camp conference based on the principles of four-fold, balanced living at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, Geneva Point on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, and Geneva Glen in Colorado. The four folds are defined as the mental, physical, social, and religious.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1915<\/a><\/div>

Lyford A. Merrow and Danforth meet at the conference in Geneva Point. Inspired by the four-fold principles, Merrow makes plans to secure the land for Merrowvista and prepare the site for youth.  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1924<\/a><\/div>
\"1924\"<\/a><\/div>

Pursuing a broader vision of youth leadership education, the founders establish the American Youth Foundation to train people for leadership in all life’s vocations. They create the AYF motto, \u201cMy own self, at my very best, all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1925: The American Youth Foundation<\/a><\/div>
\"1925:<\/a><\/div>

The American Youth Foundation is incorporated on March 31, 1925, with Danforth as President, Walter Scott Athearn as Vice President, Lansing F. Smith as Treasurer, Alexander as Director, Waite as Associate Director, and Orwig as Associate Director and Editor. John Alexander serves as Executive Director (1925 \u2013 1932). The founders…
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1926<\/a><\/div>
\"1926\"<\/a><\/div>

William H. Danforth gives all participants at Merrowvista and Miniwanca the first founder medals, daring them to share the message of the AYF in their home communities. At Miniwanca, the Assembly Building is completed in time for Younger Girls camp, Older Boys camp, and Older Girls camp.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1928<\/a><\/div>

At Miniwanca, Marie \u201cHorace\u201d Shaver becomes the director of Younger Girls Camp, and Council Circle and Tipi Wakan (now known as the Lake Michigan Lodge) are built.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1929<\/a><\/div>
\"1929\"<\/a><\/div>

The New Hampshire Class House is built at Merrowvista.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1930<\/a><\/div>
\"1930\"<\/a><\/div>

Marie Shaver becomes the Associate Director of the AYF and serves in this role for 30 years. At Merrowvista, wooden cabins were built to replace tents and tent platforms. At Miniwanca, the first Younger Boys program begins at East Camp and Stony View is constructed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1931<\/a><\/div>
\"1931\"<\/a><\/div>

William H. Danforth publishes his book \u201cI Dare You!\u201d sharing Alexander’s four-fold concept and Danforth\u2019s Stand Tall, Think Tall, Smile Tall, and Live Tall philosophy. AYF donates part of its Lake Michigan property to Benona Township to create a new public park.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

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