ARTS AND CRAFTS (back to top)

This program includes:

· Clay - Hand built and wheel

· Ceramics

· Textiles - Weaving, sewing, tie-dyeing, etc.

· Jewelry, paper mache and copper enameling

· General arts and crafts

· Drawing and painting

· Camp crafts

This program is located in a spacious area above our theatre building. The girls have plenty of opportunity to express creativity through sewing, painting, jewelry, pottery, tie-dyeing and much more. Lots of chatter takes place as they create. All arts and crafts counselors have experience in this area and can help the girls to create some very exciting and imaginative things!!

•  Archery (back to top)

Archery is offered to anyone who would like to try. The girls strive for various pins such as Yeoman and Bowman under the National Archery Association, or simply try and hit balloons attached to the target.
They learn how to hold the bow, load an arrow and hit the bulls eye at 15 yards up to 45 yards. Classic, great fun for all ages!

•  DANCE (back to top)

The styles involved in this program are:

1. Hip Hop
2. Social
3. Aerobics
4. Jazz

A popular activity for all age groups, dance is often performed in the grassy area called the quad, about an acre in size. The girls love to choreograph their own dances and perform during Parents Visiting Day. Once our girls hear the sound of music, they're ready to dance! Our staff have years of experience and work hard to develop the girls creativity.

•  DRAMA (back to top)

This program involves:

1. General drama-small class projects and skit work
2. Campfire skits
3. Camp production

Regular classes in drama take place throughout the week. The drama staff direct the girls in improvs and skits. We have tons of costumes and “stuff” which the girls love to get out. During the first week girls with a special interest in drama try out for the camp play, which is presented Parents Day. All campers wishing to be in the play are included. Give the girls a stage and the go!

•  GYMNASTICS (back to top)

This program involves:

1. Beginning gymnastics
2. Intermediate gymnastics
3. Advanced gymnastics
4. Competitive gymnastics
5. Concentration on execution of compulsory routines and creation of optional routines.

Fitness training

Our gym pavilion is equipped with a foam rubber floor and carpet. We have all the apparatus used in competition, which includes balance beam, uneven bars, and vaulting horse. The instructors work with girls from beginner levels to those competing at the state and national level. Girls are encouraged to try new things and the development over time is very obvious to see on parents day.

• HIKING(back to top)

  Part of Trips program. Extended overnight hikes. Canoe trips

• CAMP NEWSPAPER (back to top)

For those interested in creative writing and reporting.

For those interested in creative writing and reporting.

LANDSPORTS (back to top)

Our landsports program encompasses activities such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, archery, track, golf, field hockey and lacrosse. The younger girls participate in lead-up games to these sports. We are pleased to have college players directing most of these activities. Nat Harris, who heads up our soccer program, has been the leading scorer for the professional women's league in England .

We have Play Days with other camps where any girl interested may participate in the variety of sports which are offered at Merriwood. Soccer, volleyball, basketball, field hockey and lacrosse are all sports which campers have been involved in away from camp. Also, we enter and hold tournaments where the more competitive girl is given the chance to participate.

Offered in two areas:

Learning skills

• Competitive sports

1. Track and field
2. Soccer (bring shin guards)
3. Volleyball
4. Basketball
5. Lacrosse ( bring stick)
6. Field Hockey
7. Jogging and fitness
8. Softball
9. Archery
10. Rock climbing/Challenge course
11. Golf

We have Play Days with other camps where any girl interested may participate in sports. Also, we have/enter tournaments where the more competitive girl is given the chance to participate.

RIDING (back to top)

Our on-site riding program is directed by one of the few certified instructors in the state of New Hampshire , Heidi Henson. Heidi, who has been with Merriwood for over 6 years is assisted by staff members who have had extensive equestrian experience. Campers have fun learning stable management as well as riding bareback, doing gymnastics on horses, etc. They are welcome to ride every day or three times a week. There is an additional charge for this program.

ROCKWALL AND LOW ELEMENTS (back to top)

Certified instructors work with the campers to develop self-confidence in this very popular activity. Trust activities are part of the learning experience. Girls then move on to the 25 ft. climbing wall and love to take the 300 ft. zip line from the top of the wall to the ground. The different levels on each of the three-sided walls gives opportunities for the instructors to work with girls of all skill levels.

SPECIAL EVENTS (back to top)

Throughout the summer we offer many surprise events. Some are Fourth of July, Halloween, Christmas, Decades Dance, International Day, Carnival, Peter Pan Night, Texas Night, Friendship Night, Color War….just to name a few all wrapped up into seven weeks! Girls often bring zany clothes for these anticipated occasions.

SWIMMING (back to top)

Our swimming classes take place in our pristine lake. Water Safety Instructors or the equivalent teach the various American Red Cross levels. All of our girls take daily swim classes throughout the summer. The girls love going down the slide, playing water volleyball and diving for toys in swim class while learning the importance of various swimming skills and excelling in their levels. There is also the opportunity for girls to take part in swim meets against other camps.

TENNIS (back to top)

Phil Leibrock has directed our tennis program for over 40 years. He is a superb instructor and brings to the courts the experience of being a college coach and a teacher of teachers. He can turn a good college player into a fine teacher. Six courts, four clay and two all weather are in use constantly. Two courts are lighted for night play. Girls who are at the competitive level have an opportunity to play in inter-camp competition. There are lots of fun activities to increase the girl's skill level.

TRIPS (back to top)

Most trips are day trips within a reasonable distance from camp. These are opportunities for the campers to appreciate the beauty and history of the White Mountains . Girls enjoy hiking, some with overnight stays. Older girls take extended trips to Montreal and Quebec City while the little ones love the Big Apple Circus when it comes to Hanover .

• WATER ACTIVITIES (back to top)

1. Boating
2. Canoeing-beginning skills
3. Advanced canoeing-solo canoeing
4. Sailing
5. Advanced sailing-solo and racing skills
6. Crew rowing
7. Wind surfing
8. Waterskiing
9. Competitive swimming
10. Water ballet

Our location on beautiful Upper Baker Pond affords us the chance to enjoy many activities on our nearly private lake. Boating, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, and crew make up a good portion of the water sports. Water skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding are by far the most popular. Mark oversees all power boating activities. He has a knack for making sure all girls meet success. Under Mark's direction sometimes past campers return as instructors and bring the same enthusiasm Mark created in them when they were campers.