American Youth Foundation

06/25/2026

already missing everyone come back next year

06/21/2026

It’s not goodbye, it’s see you next year! Yesterday we wrapped an amazing conference. Participants left with new friends, a deeper understanding of themselves, and a commitment to improving their home communities. NLC 2027 will be June 12-19, and we hope you’ll join us!

05/09/2026

DC-area friends: Gear up for summer at the S'mores & Swap, hosted by the AYF Washington DC Regional Action Network on Sunday, May 17! 🔥 RSVP to AYFDC[at]ayf.com for the location.

Join other Miniwanca and Merrowvista families from 3 to 5 p.m. to swap and share gently used camp essentials like hiking boots, water bottles, and sleeping bags.

No gear to trade? No problem! Come for a s'more and great conversation with AYF friends.

04/26/2026

🎙️ National Leadership Conference co-director Erin O'Brien recently appeared on
Ovi Vasquez - OVinspires' podcast, Leadership Messengers!

She and Ovi talked about the transformation impact of the National Leadership Conference on hundreds of teen leaders each year.

🎧 Listen online: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7cq7OGXWidW2FoKAgu4J3i

04/17/2026

Volunteers are an invaluable part of our American Youth Foundation community, whether chaperoning campers on their way to Miniwanca or sweeping out the cabins at Merrowvista.

Learn more about how you can get involved at our beautiful sites this spring.

Volunteers are an invaluable part of our American Youth Foundation community, whether chaperoning campers on their way to Miniwanca or sweeping out the cabins at Merrowvista. Each year, there are many opportunities for people who want to serve humbly and reconnect with their favorite American Youth....

04/10/2026

Poppy Potter’s life work is rooted in American Youth Foundation programs. She started as an AYF intern in St. Louis, eventually supporting the work of the International Leadership Conference.

That early experience showed her the transformative power of outdoor education and youth development. It was also foundational to the work she does today.

Poppy operates Spark Potential, a leadership coaching service for nonprofit, education, and youth development organizations. She is also currently assisting AYF as we diversify our funding sources, helping us expand our grant and foundation support.

“This work has felt like a homecoming, and I am so grateful for it,” Poppy says. “AYF changed my life. I am honored to help ensure it can do the same for others.”

Poppy Potter’s life work is rooted in American Youth Foundation programs. She started as an AYF intern in St. Louis, eventually supporting the work of the International Leadership Conference. That early experience showed her the transformative power of outdoor education and youth development. It w...

04/07/2026

Will you answer the call to volunteer this year?

Volunteers are an invaluable part of our American Youth Foundation community, whether chaperoning campers on their way to Miniwanca or sweeping out the cabins at Merrowvista.

Each year, there are many opportunities for people who want to serve humbly and reconnect with their favorite AYF programs.

Take a look at our current volunteer needs and see what fits your schedule and abilities

Volunteers are an invaluable part of our American Youth Foundation community, whether chaperoning campers on their way to Miniwanca or sweeping out the cabins at Merrowvista. Each year, there are many opportunities for people who want to serve humbly and reconnect with their favorite American Youth....

04/03/2026

Growing up, Byron Martin often felt labeled as an "overactive" child.

"But at Merrowvista, all of that melted away. You could just be — and be seen — as the person you wanted to be. For me, that was the place I wanted to be. It’s the place I sent my children to grow up."

Watch more of Byron's AYF story:

100 Stories Project Byron Martin1975 to 1996 Merrowvista Camper and Staff"Back [when I was child], we had 'active' children… and then there was me — an 'overactive' child. Some of us had learning differences. Mine was dyslexia. But at Merrowvista, all of that melted away. You could just be — a...