[American Youth Foundation Home] Youth development and character education, summer camps and environmental education.
The American Youth Foundation: is a non-profit organization that implements programs devoted to youth development, character education and leadership. The AYF operates 2 year-round educational centers, Camp Merrowvista in New Hampshire and camp Miniwanca in Michigan. Youth Summer Camps offering Experiential and Adventure Education, Environmental Education, ACA/AEE Accredited, ISSAC/NASSP.

Camps, Conferences, School and Community Programs inspiring Youth to Action
Merrowvista Four Trails Adventure Programs

The American Youth Foundation - youth development and character education, summer camps

Challenge yourself to do more than you ever thought possible while developing the lifelong skills of leadership, cooperation, and respect for self, others and the world around you. Co-ed and Single Gender “Mobile Merrowvista Communities” adventure throughout New England and Nova Scotia, Canada. You will learn the art of wilderness travel, while building team and individual skills.

Explorer: Entering grade 9 (single gender) 
Session A                                            Session B
3 weeks: June 27 - July 15, 2010            4 weeks: July 18 - August 12, 2010
 
Develop your hiking, biking and canoeing skill as you meet the challenges of three adventures. Destinations include hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail, canoeing in the lakes region of Maine, and bicycling to the coast of Maine. Trips in the 3-week program are 4 days in length, while 4-week participants enjoy 6 days.

 
Adventurer: Entering grade 10 (may be co-ed) 
Session A                                                       Session B
3-week Canoe/Bike: June 27 - July 15, 2010        4-week Canoe/Bike: July 18 - August 12, 2010
3-week Hike/Bike: June 27 - July 15, 2010           4-week Hike/Bike: July 18 - August 12, 2010

Take to the roadways, rivers, or mountains on two 6 to 10 day journeys. As a three week Adventurer you will spend 6 days cycling through the beautiful New Hampshire and Vermont countryside. Four week Adventurers spend 10 days cycling along the coast of Maine toward Acadia National Park.

Hike/Bike option: In addition to the bike trip, you will spend 6 0r 10 days backpacking a section of the Appalachian Trail in Maine, enjoying breathtaking vistas of the Saddleback Mountain Range.

Canoe/Bike option: As a complement to your bike trip, you will spend 6 or 10 days exploring lakes and rivers in Maine. Along the way you will have opportunities to see wildlife ranging from Moose to Bald Eagles while developing your flat-water and whitewater paddling skills.
 

Voyageur: Entering grades 11 and 12 (may be co-ed) 
Session A                                        Session B
3 weeks: June 27 - July 15, 2010         4 weeks: July 18 - August 12, 2010
 
Explore the picturesque shoreline of Nova Scotia under your own pedal power during this 15 or 22 day bicycling adventure. Your journey will take you from Merrowvista to Bar Harbor, Maine, and then onto Yarmouth, Nova Scotia via the Prince of Fundy Ferry. Once in Nova Scotia, your trek will cover 600-1100 miles and may include cycling on Prince Edward Island or Cape Breton.

 
Odyssey: Entering grades 11 and 12 (co-ed) 
Session A                                           Session B
3 weeks: June 27 - July 15, 2010            3 weeks: July 25 - August 12, 2010
 
Odyssey is the culmination of the Merrowvista experience with the ultimate backpacking adventure - the 120-mile hike through the final stretch of the historic Appalachian Trail. Odyssey campers will experience the exhilaration of traveling through the longest stretch of “wilderness” on the Appalachian Trail. The Odyssey finale will be hiking the highest mountain in Maine, Mount Katahdin.

 
Vista: Entering grade 12 (may be co-ed) 
Session A                                          Session B        
3 weeks: June 27 - July 15, 2010           3 Weeks: July 25 - August 12, 2010

The Vista program will challenge youth to embody the pinnacle of Merrowvista ideals in various community service projects that will directly impact the local community.  Vistas kick off their session with a multi-day hike before they begin their service. In the past, Vistas have teamed up with  local Habitat for Humanity organizations, local soup kitchens, food pantries, and environmental activist organizations.  The goal of the Vista program is to engage youth in the wider world through service and to show true stewardship as they put their good hearts and skills into action.

Check out the Wilderness Adventure Diary Entries!

If you have questions about Merrowvista Camp programs and availability, please contact
Tovah Burstein at tburstein@ayf.com or via phone (603) 539-6607 ext. 2052.

Merrowvista Camps
merrowvistacamps@ayf.com
147 Canaan Road
Center Tuftonboro, NH 03816
(603) 539-6607
(603) 539-7504 fax
Our camps are located in Shelby, Michigan and Tuftonboro, New Hampshire
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