Where is Merrowvista located?
Merrowvista is located in Tuftonboro, New Hampshire, two hours north of Boston, Massachusetts. Situated on 600 acres in the pristine Ossipee Mountains, Merrowvista draws you into a life that is rustic, uncomplicated and filled with excitement. Trails lead through forests to peaks just waiting to be explored. Dan Hole Pond, a crystal clear lake, is the hub of waterfront activities. The Merrowvista facility includes beloved older structures as well as many newly constructed facilities, such as bathrooms, camper cabins, eating lodge, and our indoor adventure center. Take a virtual tour of camp.
What makes Merrowvista unique?
When Camp Merrowvista was founded in 1924, the original goal was to create a program where young people could come together to have fun and "learn to live successfully." This underlying philosophy continues today, and sets our programs apart from other camps. Merrowvista is designed to help campers develop their personal best and discover more about what they are capable of achieving. The activities you will find at Merrowvista may be similar to many camps, but our intentional approach to camping is unique.
At Merrowvista we know the first step toward a great camp experience is FUN, and we believe that in order to have fun, campers need to be and feel safe. Merrowvista is unique in how intentionally staff and campers work together to create a fun, safe community.
Merrowvista is a place where campers return year after year to a home away from home. We take that opportunity, that responsibility, very seriously. For more than three generations we have been a part of families' lives, providing fun camp experiences designed to help their children "learn to live successfully". We invite you to come grow up with us, too!
What will my child gain by being a Merrowvista camper?
As a leader in youth development, Merrowvista inspires people to be their best selves. We achieve this by creating a fun and safe environment where campers will learn new skills, make new friends, and we believe much more is possible! Campers 8-17 will find a progression of age appropriate adventures and opportunities waiting for them. As a result, we believe Merrowvista campers will:
- Leave with newly gained confidence in themselves
- Be able to talk about who they are and what they are capable of achieving
- Discover and develop their personal best
- Act in ways consistent with their values
- Help to create a diverse community where trust, cooperation and respect are the foundation
What safety measures does Merrowvista take?
Merrowvista is fully accredited by the American Camp Association. We safeguard the health and safety of each participant, meeting or exceeding state health requirements and industry safety standards in our adventure programs. American Red Cross standards guide waterfront activities. Merrowvista maintains a fully equipped health center with on-site health professionals, and the nearest hospital is just 12 miles away. Merrowvista campers are supervised 24 hours a day and we maintain a 1:6 staff to camper ratio so that we can provide a fun and safe summer for our campers.
What qualifications does the staff have?
Merrowvista staff strive to be excellent role models by adhering to the camp motto of "My own self, at my very best, all the time." Our senior staff are caring professionals who work with children year-round at the camp, or as teachers, counselors, and coaches. Staff come from all over the U.S. and from several countries to share their skills. Our counselors, whom we call leaders, live and work closely with campers. They are chosen very carefully, bringing honesty, integrity, and energy to the job. Leaders have completed a minimum of their first year of college and go through two weeks of extensive training at camp prior to the arrival of campers. Leaders are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Our adventure trip leaders are a minimum 21 years of age, and are certified as Wilderness First Responders. Trip leaders participate in over three weeks of specialized training.
Is Merrowvista affiliated with a religion or church?
Merrowvista is an inter-faith camp that welcomes campers of all faiths and religions. Our camp community gathers on a regular basis for reflection and sharing. We begin and end each day with opportunities for campers to discuss the beliefs that are important in their lives, and encourage each camper to think about how these personal beliefs guide their actions on a daily basis. The values we strive to teach in our program are universal. We teach tolerance, respect for others, service to others, and the golden rule.
Can I communicate with my child while he/she is at camp?
Campers love to hear from their families while at camp! Parents are welcome to send mail to their camper or send e-mails through a password protected area of our website, www.ayf.com. This secure, easy-to-use area of our website lets you stay in touch with your camper through photos and updates. You may also purchase Bunknotes, allowing you to write a letter to your camper via email. Due to limited phones and busy schedules, it is impossible to provide campers with phone privileges. However, you can always contact Bailey Sheats, our Camp Coordinator, if you have questions or concerns about how your camper is doing at Merrowvista.