American Youth Foundation

Since 2002, Codman Academy has partnered with the American Youth Foundation (AYF) to offer a leadership program in which the entire Upper School staff, faculty and student body travel to Tuftonboro, New Hampshire, to embark on a three-day camping adventure at Camp Merrowvista. One of Codman’s most profound traditions, Camp Merrowvista provides a leadership and character development program for students, as everyone works together and helps each other through mundane activities such as kitchen duty to the seemingly impossible, like hiking a mountain or climbing to the top of a challenging ropes course. For a majority of our students, this is their first time experiencing a camp environment and its accompanying challenges. Activities focus on self-awareness, self-reflection, enhancing group effectiveness, and positively influencing our school culture.

Each year, several Codman students are selected to attend the AYF’s national youth leadership conference in Michigan. Additionally, several Codman students take part in Camp Merrowvista’s summer program as campers or counselors each summer. The AYF inspires people to discover and develop their personal best, to seek balance in mental, physical, social, and spiritual living, and to make a positive difference in their community. We find the Merrowvista experience entirely coincides with Codman’s educational philosophy, in addition to providing us a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community.

The Camp Merrowvista expedition is made possible through the generosity of the American Youth Foundation and donations to the school’s foundation. Click here to donate today!