archives collection online<\/a> and at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. Here, she shares the origin of her family\u2019s AYF connection and why she\u2019s still giving back to the AYF seven decades after her first summer at camp.<\/p>\nWhat is your family\u2019s history with the AYF?<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cOur family\u2019s camp story really began with my mother coming to Miniwanca in the 1930s, when she was a struggling high school student. Her physical education teacher found a scholarship for her to attend the Older Girls leadership conferences. The teacher brought her to camp and even helped provide clothes.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mom\u2019s whole life was changed. She was about to quit high school. But this teacher believed in her, kept her inspired about life and what she could become. That moment changed the destiny of four generations of our family.\u201d<\/p>\n
What sets the AYF programs apart from other youth development programs, in your opinion?<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cThere comes a time when you look back at all the benefits you\u2019ve received, how your life has been shaped, who you\u2019ve become, and you realize so much of it is connected to this institution. When you\u2019re here, it feels like home. The people here challenge you, energize you.<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned how to have fun and how to play. I learned to look up to mentors. The conferences prepared me for college. But most of all, I learned how to compete without needing to be an all-out, die-hard winner. I loved the games, the teamwork. I think I really grew in that area.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also loved making song parodies, skits, and performing with a group. As an only child, that gave me a vital part of my social development. It allowed me to really blossom.”<\/p>\n
What is one way the AYF impacted you and your family? \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cMy daughter was able to come here, as well as four of my grandchildren. I saw them develop confidence and unique approaches to problem-solving that stood out among their peers. They\u2019d talk to their teachers about what they did at camp all the time. The AYF teaches a very unique, well-rounded, and balanced life experience. It shapes how your family approaches celebration, hardship, and hard work in a completely different way.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
<\/p>\n
Why do you support the AYF today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cThe opportunity to continually be challenged, to make a difference, and feel a sense of accomplishment motivate me to seek out special projects. I love to learn, and then to put that learning to use. Experiences as an entrepreneur in the photofinishing industry years ago gave me an appreciation for the place photography takes in history, and family heritage especially. Volunteering is fun work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoy having friends across the generations, as they make me remember what\u2019s really important, and prepare for the future as well. Volunteers often do what the staff would like to do, but don\u2019t have time to accomplish due to the day-to-day management tasks. Volunteers have the chance to be part of the value-added, which benefits all in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why should others support the AYF through financial gifts and volunteering?<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cIt is a true opportunity to carry the torch and keep the organization strong for future generations. Supporting AYF helps to continue the opportunity for those who most need this light in their lives. Young people need a place where they can develop their potential; their best self so they can lead their world. For me, supporting AYF is a gift that keeps my soul singing!”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jan Strube is a keeper of AYF history, preserving photographs, memories, and more as a volunteer archivist. Her passion for the AYF began as a Miniwanca Younger Girls camper in 1954, and she\u2019s been involved ever since as a seasonal staff member, camper parent and grandparent. She\u2019s also been a longtime participant of AYF adult programs like summer Seminars for … <\/p>\n
Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":37534,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98,318],"tags":[330,317,329],"class_list":["post-37533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ayf-archives","category-inspired-impact","tag-ayf-archives","tag-inspired-impact","tag-jan-strube"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nInspired Impact: Jan Strube - American Youth Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ayf.com\/inspired-impact-jan-strube\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Inspired Impact: Jan Strube - American Youth Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Jan Strube is a keeper of AYF history, preserving photographs, memories, and more as a volunteer archivist. Her passion for the AYF began as a Miniwanca Younger Girls camper in 1954, and she\u2019s been involved ever since as a seasonal staff member, camper parent and grandparent. She\u2019s also been a longtime participant of AYF adult programs like summer Seminars for ... 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