"You are the premier outdoor education experience for children in the greater Newburyport area. Merrohawke is hands-down the best summer experience you can give your child. Kate and Rob Yeomans (along with their team of creative field leaders and staff) give children a real front-row seat to the magic of the Merrimack and the ocean beyond. My kids love everything."

Summer 2024 registration is open and waitlists are building...

Register Online Here

"Our first experience with Merrohawke was outstanding. Both of my daughters have been going through some difficult family times and really needed a positive experience with new people and a bit of exploring. The experience has given both of them an ideal opportunity to have a break from some of their recent struggles and has strengthened their connection to nature. They made new friends, which I think reinforced their sense of self-worth and belonging. They looked forward to coming every day and were happily exhausted when I picked them up!" 

Summer 2022 parent

Welcome to Merrohawke! We are excited to see your family.

Merrohawke is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization committed to guiding learning in nature that inspires empathy, resilience, grit and a deep connection to the earth.

We work 100% outdoors because we believe this is the best classroom for personal growth, and it just so happens that through direct experience on land and at sea, youth develop a profound love and respect for nature that will stay with them throughout their lives.

Merrohawke’s exceptionally low teacher: student ratio is typically 1:4. We work each day to help raise a generation of youth who are in touch with their gifts, follow their passion and may become strong, resilient, and empathetic adults.

"Merrohawke sets itself apart from all other local summer programs by offering the opportunity for children to literally get their hands dirty and enjoy nature! After a chaotic year of online learning and too much technology it was such a blessing to know that my daughter was outside in the fresh air for HOURS and I loved picking her up at the end of the day and seeing her covered in mud or soaking wet with a huge smile!"

Summer 2022 parent

Merrohawke summer programs on land in Boxford are licensed by the Boxford Board of Health. In this way, this camp must comply with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local board of health. 

Due to the unique maritime setting of our floating classroom, B.O.A.T. C.A.M.P. in Newburyport is not required to be licensed. However, at our B.O.A.T. C.A.M.P. summer program, as a best practice, we follow as many Merrohawke summer camp protocols and practices as is appropriate and applicable. This includes our policies regarding youth medical records and administration of medication, emergency plans and staff qualifications, training, and background checks. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

We work tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds in order to be able to provide scholarship assistance for families who would not otherwise be able to participate. Thanks to the generosity of Merrohawke's philanthropic supporters, no child has ever been turned away who wished to attend Merrohawke but lacked the funds to do so. Please note that we reserve a few spots every program week for these youth. So, if you wish to attend but need to request scholarship assistance in advance, and you see a program week is listed as FULL online, be sure and reach out to us because it's possible that we may have a spot available for you.

On land in Boxford

Dragonflies (Ages 3.5 to 5)

Red Fox (Ages 6-8)

Earth Skills (Ages 9-12+)

Earth Skills Overnight ~ (Ages 10-12+)

At sea in Newburyport

B.O.A.T. C.A.M.P. with Capt. Rob ~ Ages 9-12+

Isles of Shoals Overnight ~ (Ages 12.5+)

Register Here
Log in to your account

Additional Essential Details

Summer Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation requests received before May 1 will result in a full refund minus a $50 cancellation fee.
  • Cancellation requests received before June 1 will result in a 50% refund minus a $50 cancellation fee.
  • Cancellation requests received after June 1 will not be refunded, regardless of whether that session has a waitlist.

Waitlist 
If a spot opens up in the desired program, we will review the waitlist and reach out to families as soon as we can. Preference will be given to families who do not yet have a spot for summer.

Age Accomodations

We hold firm to age ranges in each program and rarely make exceptions to allow younger children to attend a program that is for an older student. Each Merrohawke program is carefully designed to meet the unique age and developmental stage of children, and we thank you for supporting this effort. We do understand that mid-summer and September birthdays can be tricky, and we are happy to think this through together with you.

Weather & Program Cancellations

Sometimes extreme weather occurs that is beyond our control and may force a program cancellation or modification. Extreme weather may include tropical storms, hurricanes, excessive rain, extreme heat, or any other weather that would make for an exceptionally unpleasant and/or unsafe day outdoors.

We will do everything we reasonably can to run a program in all weather, including delayed start to a day or early release. In the highly unlikely event we cannot run a program safely and meaningfully, the day will be canceled and no refunds issued. Our instructors design program curricula, gather materials, and commit themselves for the day, regardless of whether mother nature sends a big storm our way. By supporting the work we do even when nature has other plans, you are valuing the time and labor of our instructors in making our high-quality programming possible.

Although we rarely need to do so, we reserve the right to cancel a program or program's duration, tuition or location. Merrohawke is not responsible for costs associated in these cases.

  • We are unable to offer refunds if any duration of a program is canceled due to inclement weather or circumstances out of our control.
  • If a program is canceled due to low enrollment, tuition will be fully refundable or transferable. Program credit may be issued and does not expire.

Final Payment

After May 1, we reserve the right to charge your credit card for the full remaining balance.

Completed Enrollment

Your registration is not COMPLETE until full payment is received and all required forms are received at least 14 days in advance of the session start date. Failure to make timely payments and submit forms may result in forfeiture of the selected session(s).

Still have questions? Email us here.