Who We Are Camps & Programs Store & Awards What’s New Support AYF Opportunities Alumni REGISTER DONATE VISIT US Are We a Match? Understanding the AYF Medical Review Process Our goal is to serve and empower as many participants as possible, help them to pursue their goals and to realize their full potential within our program objectives, staffing model and resources. Registration process Submitting a registration form online does not automatically enroll your child in an AYF program. Once your application has been received, we will review it for appropriate program placement. Please note that we may contact you with questions to clarify whether our programs are appropriate for your child, given their physical, mental, emotional, and social health needs. During this call, families can ask any questions they may have while we learn about your child and how to set them up for success. We depend on parents sharing complete and detailed information about their camper throughout this process. Essential Functions To enhance the safety and wellbeing of all participants, our general admission guidelines include that campers must be able to meet the essential functions for community life: Care for self, including the ability to shower, toilet, dress, and feed themselves independently and with minimal supervision Walk around the rugged camp terrain safely and unassisted without extreme fatigue or delay. This includes pre-existing injuries. Verbally communicate their needs with our staff Maintain positive and appropriate interactions and conversations with peers that support the emotional safety of our community Participate in group activities supervised at a 1:6 staff to camper ratio level Maintain energy through camp days, which are usually longer than school days Share living and sleeping space with 8-12 peers and be in close and consistent contact with others 24/7 except for some designated personal time Engage in sleep rituals that are limited to those not affecting cabin mates Complete projects and chores that help keep cabin/activity/camp areas clean Avoid disruptive behaviors or conduct that interferes with daily program If you are not certain AYF camp is the best place for their child and your child may need more support, please contact your camp or program director. Medical Review Process The Medical Review process helps confirm that participants are physically, medically, and psychologically able to participate safely in a variety of AYF programs. AYF programs do not provide the structure or mental health expertise needed to provide appropriate or effective programming for all participants. An AYF program may not be a match for those who have a recent diagnosis or increase of symptoms due to a medical, emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric condition. On a case by case basis, AYF works with our Medical Advisory Team to decide the limits of our expertise and resources before we accept applications. We have found that when we recognize the limits of our staff’s capabilities, we will reduce the emotional turmoil and stress involved in sending a camper home when that need arises. Our counselors receive training in a number of different approaches to relationship management, decision-making, and conflict resolution. That said, our camps are not equipped to provide full support in mental health counseling or clinical issues. If your child has been receiving those supports at home, please reach out to your camp director to discuss your child’s needs and how we might set them up for a successful summer. In general, the camper needs to be taking the same medication at the same dose for at least three months prior to camp arrival to achieve effective therapeutic blood levels and to establish that the appropriate therapeutic effect has been obtained. Variances may be considered after consultation with your care provider. Dismissals: We reserve the right to send home, without tuition reduction or refund, any participant who does not comply with AYF expectations and standards. We depend on receiving accurate information concerning prospective participants during the registration and Medical Review process. If a participant arrives with undisclosed physical or mental health conditions or history, we reserve the right to send home that participant, without tuition reduction or refund. LOCATIONS MINIWANCA 8845 W Garfield Rd. Shelby, MI 49455 231-861-2262 231-861-5244 (fax) MERROWVISTA 147 Canaan Rd. Ctr. Tuftonboro, NH 03816 603-539-6607 603-539-7504 (fax) DEVELOPMENT 6357 Clayton Rd. St. Louis, MO 63117 314-719-4343 314-719-4348 (fax) SEARCH THIS SITE Search NAVIGATION Register Donate Visit Us CONTACT US CONNECT SOCIAL MEDIA AYF Facebook Miniwanca Facebook Merrowvista Facebook