RMarie Shaver is the first positional woman leader in AYF. A graduate of the 1921 Older Girls Camp Conference at Lake Geneva, she became the director of the AYF Younger Girls camp program in 1926 and associate director of AYF in 1930. As associate director she directed the Younger Girls camps at Miniwanca and later promoted and managed the Younger Girls camps at Merrowvista. She served in both capacities until 1960. Known as Horace, a name given her by Alexander, Marie mentored many women leaders in AYF, especially the line of Miniwanca Girls Camp directors that began with her protege and successor Dorothy Jean Kerr.

These early leaders were inspired by a common vision: to develop character in young people and give them the tools to live a balanced life.  To accomplish this, it was essential for these youth to come together in places set apart from their daily lives.  The founders purchased a scenic property at Stony Lake Michigan called Miniwanca, and a beautiful property in the Ossipee Mountains of New Hampshire, Merrowvista. After a hectic year of preparation, they began conducting their distinctive camp conferences at Miniwanca and Merrowvista in 1925.

These programs introduced thousands of young people to the philosophy of four-fold balanced living- mental, social, physical, and spiritual growth. In these communities, they would gain skills and a renewed belief in themselves.  Upon returning home, these campers would act on their passion to make a positive difference in their own lives and the lives of others.

As leaders in youth development for over 80 years, Miniwanca and Merrowvista have kept pace with changing times, updating our curriculum while opening our doors to more and more people.  During the 1920s, in stride with the women's suffrage movement, the American Youth Foundation saw its first female camp directors.  In the 1960s, as the Civil Rights movement confronted racial inequality, the camps actively worked to expand ethnic diversity within their programs.

As society has evolved, we have continued to embrace change: while early founders spoke from a distinctively Christian perspective, we are now a multi-faith organization welcoming people from all religious traditions and backgrounds. It is our goal as an organization to provide inspirational programs where all youth are welcomed to the challenge of becoming their best selves.

Today, as young people face an increasingly complicated and pressured world, the need for helping youth develop character is more important than ever. The AYF is meeting this challenge by creating a fun and safe environment where campers embrace "Best Self," "Balanced Living" and "Healthy Friendships."