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<\/p>\nFor the last 100 years, American Youth Foundation programs have fostered self-discovery through a balanced approach of personal growth, community building, and interconnected program goals.<\/p>\n
Recently, AYF leadership updated its program outcomes to better illustrate how the organization\u2019s timeless approach to youth development best addresses the needs of youth today.<\/p>\n
Vice President of Strategic Programs Kris Light said the AYF remains grounded in the original philosophies of the four folds and best self.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese program outcomes are as important now as ever, and this updated language does not change what we do, but instead further explains the \u2018why\u2019 of the AYF\u2019s approach,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Outcome 1: Discovering and Developing Your Own Best Self<\/strong> \u201cTheir outer appearance can represent their inner thoughts and feelings,\u201d Wise said. \u201cThey\u2019re always coming up with the silliest ways to put pieces together and design characters. I think that\u2019s a great example of this environment fostering authentic self-expression. Outside of camp, so many girls\u2019 clothing choices are scrutinized. Here, they can be themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n Wise said the AYF\u2019s philosophy of \u201cchallenge by choice\u201d also supports this program outcome: knowing and accepting that not everyone\u2019s goal will be the same. \u201cDuring an activity like high ropes, some will aim to make it to the top of the rock wall, others want to go farther than they did the previous time,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s all a path of personal growth and discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n Outcome 2: Growing Through the Four Folds<\/strong><\/p>\n Once participants begin to identify best self, 2024 Merrowvista Director of Community and School Programs Dayna Vuksinick said they continue to grow through the four folds: mental, physical, social, and reverent (formerly the religious or spiritual fold). Her CSP participants often explore those concepts as they hike for the first time, get to know people who are different from them, and have conversations where everyone may not agree.<\/p>\n Miniwanca Conference, Community, and School Programs Director Michael Harter emphasized it\u2019s important to spend time on the four \u201cYoung people are surrounded by so many conflicting messages,\u201d he said. \u201cWe never want to them to confuse the pursuit of best self and balanced living with the concept of perfection, and we make that distinction in program.\u201d<\/p>\n Light said the four folds serve as a lens through which to view life. \u201cThey help participants assess where they are strong and confident and where they would like to grow and challenge themselves,\u201d he said. \u201cThe programs then provide opportunities to follow through on that Outcome 3: Working Together to Build Community<\/strong><\/p>\n Vuksinick said even just a few days is enough for kids to develop a deeply connected community. She recalled a group of students who asked to hold their senior prom at Merrowvista last year because they wanted to celebrate with the friends they made during a school program in sixth grade.<\/p>\n \u201cKnowing that these kids hadn\u2019t been there in six years, but they still had such a strong connection to us and really felt like they needed to be here to celebrate the end of their time together, was very beautiful to watch \u2014 and it was so fun,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Light said bonds created in these intentional communities do more than create lasting friendships. \u201cWhen participants work together to achieve a common goal during program, they also develop positive leadership skills and find opportunities to put their best selves into action,\u201d he said. \u201cThey recognize their impact as part of a larger whole and their responsibility in caring for and creating a sense of belonging within a community.\u201d<\/p>\n Outcome 4: Making a Positive Difference in the World<\/strong><\/p>\n The final program outcome is the hardest one to see in the moment, but all the directors have heard from families and teachers about participants who return home and make meaningful change in their lives, whether that\u2019s trying out for a new sport or volunteering in their communities.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been amazing to see how different they are when they go back home,\u201d Vuksinick said. \u201cThey help their families, they seem a lot kinder, and they\u2019re a lot kinder to themselves. And I think that\u2019s important \u2014 making that positive difference in yourself, so it turns around and feeds back into the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Wise said each program outcome sets up the others for success. \u201cI see the program outcomes as concentric circles,\u201d she said. \u201cThey all Harter said the foundational four folds and approach to balanced living combined with these updated program outcomes will propel the AYF and the youth it serves into the next 100 years.<\/p>\n \u201cMany program activities look different than they did 100 years ago, but the actual work we do is very similar,\u201d he said. \u201cAt the end of every program, we want participants to feel more prepared and empowered as young adults. We believe in their capacities to shape the world and confront issues facing their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For the last 100 years, American Youth Foundation programs have fostered self-discovery through a balanced approach of personal growth, community building, and interconnected program goals. Recently, AYF leadership updated its program outcomes to better illustrate how the organization\u2019s timeless approach to youth development best addresses the needs of youth today. Vice President of Strategic Programs Kris Light said the AYF … <\/p>\n
\nAn open, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive is key to helping campers find their best self. Miniwanca Girls Camp Director Bethany Wise said AYF camp programs emphasize the value of individuality, acceptance, and freedom of expression, often reflected in the creative, eclectic costumes campers don for skits.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ayf.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_0470-scaled.jpg\")
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\nfolds without expecting or demanding perfection. It\u2019s something he and his fellow National Leadership Conference co-directors have spent a lot of time discussing.<\/p>\n
\nassessment.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ayf.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Fall-CSP-Program.jpg\")
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\nsupport each other at the same time, with this idea that you\u2019re starting within your innermost self and then bringing that innermost best self out into the world.\u201d<\/p>\n