New Family - FAQ
People working with your child in school or in the community know about Mayhew and, of course, know your child. They thought we were a good match and asked us to visit with you to discuss the program.
They might think that we could help give him more self-confidence or teach him new sports and other skills. Or they may think that coming to Mayhew will help his behavior and how he gets along with adults or peers. Or perhaps they might think that he is a boy who deserves a fun time and some special friends. Since all boys are different, the reasons may vary. What we try to do for all boys in the program is to help them develop into happier and more successful young men.
Absolutely not! Going to Mayhew is entirely voluntary by the boys and the family. Once you both make the commitment, however, and once you have accepted a position in the program, we expect your son to participate for a full program year.
No. We have a tremendous demand for placement in our program, and we simply don't have the openings for all the boys who need and want to go to Mayhew.
Many factors are involved in our decision -- what part of the state you live in, the age and needs of the boy, your family situation. If we interview the boy but can't accept him, please try to explain to him that we are not rejecting him, but we simply don't have enough openings for all the kids who deserve to participate.
We'll let you know as soon as we can make a decision. Sometimes that's right away; sometimes it takes a few weeks to sort things out.
If you want to know how things are going with his application, be encouraged to reach out to the Mayhew office at 603-744-6131.
You may also reach out directly to the Mayhew outreach worker who interviewed your child or to Mayhew's Program Director, Greg Stoutzenberger (603-254-3909).
There's a good bit of paperwork that needs to be completed; we'll send everything out in an email from DocuSign. We ask you to take care of the enrollment documents right away so that we know that you're accepting a place at Mayhew. If you have any questions whatsoever, call us at 603-744-6131.
Once you hear that your child has been accepted, please also arrange for a camp physical. This is a state requirement, and your child will not be allowed to attend camp without proof of a recent camp physical.
As made clear during the interview, families are not allowed to visit boys during their stay on the Island nor are boys allowed to go home to visit family (exceptions are of course made in cases of family emergencies).
In addition, boys will not be allowed to receive or to make phone calls/texts during their stays on the Island.
We encourage families to call/text the camp’s senior staff as often as they like to ask about a boy’s well-being & performance, however. Mayhew Island: 603-744-8452.
We encourage caregivers and other family members to write lots of letters and emails. It’s a tough challenge being away for three weeks, and the boys really feed off support from family and love to know that people back home are thinking of them while they’re away.
Letters & Postcards can be sent to:
Camper Name & Cabin #
c/o Mayhew
293 West Shore Rd
Bristol, NH 03222
Emails can be sent to:
Subject Line: Camper Name & Cabin #
campmail@mayhew.org
Also, the boys get a rest period every day when they’re encouraged to write postcards home. Mayhew provides unlimited, stamped postcards free of charge to the boys!
Finally, Mayhew is fortunate enough to have many friends who support the amazing work the boys do during the summer in many ways. One of those ways is our Post Card Pals Program. Volunteers who know Mayhew in different capacities (donors, board members, past summer staff, etc.) send a few post cards throughout the session letting the boys know that they should be proud of their accomplishments and that they should keep up the hard work.
No. Mayhew has a policy of not accepting any packages on behalf of the boys. If you want the boy to know that you’re thinking about him, a thoughtfully written letter or postcard is best.
If enrolled, your child will stay on the Island for three weeks. Mayhew runs two identical summer sessions. You will have the option to choose whichever session works best for your son.
You can see the Island Challenge session dates for this summer by clicking here.
It's an exciting and action-packed place. Boys are doing activities as members of their cabins from the time they wake up (7:30) to the time they go to sleep (8:30 - 9).
We challenge the boys, and we encourage them to try new things. Expectations for behavior are very high. Respect is the foundation for every interaction both on and off the Island. Staff members are always there to lend a sympathetic hand when a boy is struggling.
Mayhew is really training for life: there are ups and downs, and our philosophy is to help the boys make the best effort that they can in everything they do and then to help them learn to handle both the triumph and disappointment that can follow.
During the summer we have about 25 members of the counseling staff (7 senior staff members who work year-round as part of our outreach team, plus 18 summer-only counselors). The majority of our counselors are men, but there are women counselors too. Both male and female counselors provide overnight coverage in the cabins with the boys.
In addition to our counseling team, we have 6 to 10 staff members who work in the kitchen, nursing, and maintenance departments at camp, and we have an office team of about 4 people.
We hire only the most mature and committed staff, who we select only after an extensive interview process and background check. The great majority of our summer program staff members are college students.
We spend almost 2 weeks prior to the boys’ arrival, training the staff to handle every possible scenario and impressing upon each of them the importance of providing for the safety and welfare of the boys in the program.
At Mayhew, our number one job is to provide support to the participants of our program and to ensure their care, welfare, safety and security while under our care. We value your trust dearly and want to make clear the high standard of behavior and performance we expect from every adult member of our community.
To learn about our Child Protection Guidelines, please click here.
Very little! If he is accepted, we will share a very short list of supplies that he’ll need for camp. The list includes basics like underwear, socks, swim wear, towels, and bedding.
Remember, Mayhew provides uniforms for boys to wear while at camp so there’s no need to pack extra clothes. Please strictly follow our packing list. Anything he brings that’s not on the list will be packed away for the length of the session.
The expense for a participant's involvement in a year at Mayhew -- $7,000 -- is raised from contributors in your area. Families are expected to pay only a $20 yearly enrollment fee, which helps cover some of the paperwork and mailing expenses related to your son’s participation in the program.
Family Orientation Day is an opportunity for parents/guardians and boys new to the program to visit the Island before the summer and learn more about Mayhew.
It’s a great opportunity to see the facilities, ask any unanswered questions, and help the boy become more comfortable with this exciting opportunity.
We have a resident nurse who oversees the distribution of medication and attends to any illness or injuries that may occur.
In addition, we have excellent doctors on-call 24 hours a day, and in case of emergency, the hospital is about 20 minutes away.
On the Island, we have a well-equipped Health Center. Additionally, all of our staff members are trained before the start of camp in First Aid and CPR, and many of our senior staff are trained in advanced first aid.
The summer is only the first part of the Mayhew experience. After camp concludes, our team of outreach workers visits with Mayhew participants in their home communities throughout the school year.
The focus is on helping the boys apply the program ideals of respect, responsibility, community, and challenge to their lives at home, school and beyond. So, although Mayhew Island is locked up tight during the winter months, Mayhew is at work in your community throughout the year!
Give us a call! The main office number is 603-744-6131.
You can reach the Island camp at 603-744-8452.
