Link Up Week 6: Recap

The 6th and final group of Links arrived last Monday and were ready to make the most of their five-day, adventure-packed week.

In their third year at Mayhew, participants earn the opportunity to take part in this special program, where they challenge themselves with canoeing, hiking, outdoor skills, and team-building activities designed to push comfort zones and strengthen bonds.

We kicked off the week with a Monday dinner of chicken curry rice, and talked about the days ahead along with our community expectations. The boys enjoyed playing basketball, foosball, and pool at the Base House before settling down for the night. We finished the night by reading “Not without Peril” a book about misadventure in the white mountains. The group enjoyed learning more about New Hampshire history!

Tuesday morning began with a hearty breakfast of French toast, sausage, and fresh fruit before heading to Newfound Memorial Middle School for a special Search & Rescue presentation and demonstration.

The event gave the boys a firsthand look at the real-world coordination involved in search and rescue (SAR) operations. They met NEK9 volunteers, Drone Pilot Josh, and New Hampshire Fish & Game Officer, Heidi. Theyn shared insights into their specialized roles.

The NEK9, a volunteer-based K9 SAR team serving New Hampshire and Vermont, introduced one of their highly trained dogs for a live scent-tracking demonstration on the school’s fields—successfully “finding” a hidden person.

Drone Pilot Josh showcased the high-tech drone tools used for SAR, from thermal imaging cameras to GPS mapping and real-time video feeds, explaining how drones can quickly search large or hard-to-reach areas. They also discussed the regulations and technical skills required to fly drones safely and effectively. One of the older links asked about the education requirements to become a drone pilot and future career opportunities in that field.

That evening, we traveled out to Mayhew Island for dinner where the Links swapped stories and reminisced on their time on the island.

On Wednesday the Links had an early start to the day with a breakfast of Pop-Tarts, bagels & bananas. We then loaded up the canoes for our overnight trip out to Belle Island. Once tents were pitched and gear stowed, the boys settled into a day of fishing and relaxing on the water. The calm, sunny afternoon was a perfect setting to enjoy each other’s company while casting lines. Several fish were caught and even a couple was caught by Link Up Lead Jim O’Brien with a fly rod.

Dinner that night was veggie tacos with rice. As dusk settled in, the group gathered for a casual reflection on the day, sharing highlights and s’mores around the campfire before heading to their tents.

We started Thursday with a breakfast of oatmeal before returning to the Base House for a gear swap and a lunch of breakfast burritos with eggs and sausage. From there, the Links headed out to conquer the last Mount Cardigan climb of the summer. They were fueled by determination and teamwork! The group made great time to the AMC hut, where they settled in for a hearty pasta dinner and an evening of games, storytelling, and our traditional nightly reading to wind down.

The final morning began with pancakes on the mountain, a fitting send-off meal before hiking to Cardigan’s Summit Peak for a few last group photos amidst the hazy view. After descending and returning to the Base House, the afternoon was spent relaxing, playing games, and soaking in the final hours of summer together.

To cap off an unforgettable summer we had a celebratory dinner, followed by that last game of pool & basketball.

Thank you to every single LINK who participated this summer. Each & every single one of you made it exceptional. -Layla