Link Up Week 5: Recap

Our fifth group of Links arrived last Monday!

Starting in their third year at Mayhew, boys have the opportunity to take part in a five-day, adventure-based summer program. These trips feature activities like canoeing, backpacking, and wilderness and nature skills training.

We kicked off the week with a group dinner of chili, followed by a discussion of what to expect for the week.

The next morning, after a delicious breakfast of French toast, bacon & fruit, the Links headed down to Concord for not one, but two guided tours! They visited the New Hampshire Historical Society & the New Hampshire State House! They learned more about the state's history, saw NH Native artifacts and art. Followed by a refresher on how the state is governed. The boys got to sit in both chambers and visit the Governor's Office.

Once we got back from Concord, we headed out to Mayhew Island for dinner. The group had a chance to introduce themselves and share memories about the cabins they had stayed in during their time on the island. After dinner the links had fun cooling off for an evening swim near the docks.

On Wednesday morning the Links woke up to breakfast burritos. The group then packed up and embarked for an overnight stay on Belle Island, located on Newfound Lake.

Fishing that evening was impressive, with nearly every boy catching a fish! After being met with some rain in the late evening, the group worked fast & efficiently to set up tarps for coverage. We ended the evening with a group debrief and a look ahead at tomorrow’s agenda before settling in for the night. One fun moment from the debrief was when everyone answered the question: “If you were a tree, what kind would you be—and why?”

Thursday morning kicked off with a camp favorite, s’mores oatmeal. After packing up, we made our way back to the Base House, where we were greeted with warm, homemade quiche prepared by none other than our Executive Director, Peter!

After lunch, gear was swapped out and we hit the trail for our hike up Mount Cardigan. This determined group of Links made record time of just an hour and 30 minutes to reach the AMC hut!

After settling in at the hut, we gathered for a hearty pasta dinner, followed by a few spirited games and our traditional nightly reading to wind down.

Friday morning began on a sweet note with a pancake breakfast before the group set off to summit South Peak. After a successful climb and descent, we returned to the Base House to clean up and relax. The rest of the afternoon was spent playing pool and basketball, all capped off with a classic cookout of juicy hamburgers and good company.