Younger campers spend most of their time exploring Merrowvista’s vast acreage, enjoying Interest Groups like arts and crafts and the waterfront at Dan Hole Pond. They play community-wide games and activities at Night’s Doings and snuggle into their bunks each night to prepare for another day at camp

Older campers in our Four Trails program spend much of their summer away from Merrowvista on multi-day adventure trips. A camper begins their Four Trails experience as an Explorer during the summer between eighth and ninth grade. Preparing to enter high school comes with feelings of uncertainty and nervousness. The Explorer program fosters a sense of collaboration and resiliency, skills that will follow these campers into high school.

One Explorer group, Lincoln Village, embarked on their five-day canoeing trip on July 5, starting with a nearly four-hour bus ride to Aziscohos Lake in Maine. Lincoln Village consists of 10 campers and three leaders.

On Day 1, the group canoed two miles to Beaver Island, where they set up camp, cooked a meal, and relaxed for the rest of the day.

The next day was what trip leader Caroline Harmon described as their fun day. Lincoln Village woke up and had pancakes for breakfast. For most of the day, the Explorers swam in the lake and practiced different canoeing strokes and techniques, as well as capsizing drills. For the remainder of the day, the group enjoyed good food and relaxed.

Day 3 was the longest travel day for Lincoln Village. The group canoed six miles to a northern point on Aziscohos Lake. Harmon said they switched canoe partners and positioning every so often so campers could practice different skills and get to know one another better.

A storm was forecast later in the day, so Lincoln Village arrived at their campsite early. During the thunderstorm, the campers relaxed in their tents and concluded the day with more delicious food.

On Day 4, the group began their return journey south. With more storms in the forecast, Lincoln Village stopped early again and arrived at their campsite before lunch, where they had time to swim and hang out before the thunder rolled in.

That night, the Explorers ended their day with Village Insight, a quieter moment of reflection about their trip experience. This evening’s activity was called Rose, Bud, Thorn, where each individual talks about one highlight of their trip, one low moment, and one thing they are looking forward to.

On the final day, campers woke up early and devoured some oatmeal before the final three-mile paddle back to the main campground where the Merrowvista van and trailer were waiting for them. Lincoln Village loaded up their canoes and packs and headed back to camp, where they were greeted by staffers and other campers eager to hear about their journey!