Activities

At Camp Marist we strive to build character, independence, and personal growth across every experience.

Every camper has the opportunity to create an experience that is truly their own. With more than 30 activities to choose from, campers select the ones they are most excited about, and we build their schedule around their individual interests and passions. Whether they are trying something new or continuing to develop a skill they already love, campers are supported every step of the way. Our counselors are not only dedicated mentors, but also experienced athletes, artists, and leaders who guide each camper with patience and encouragement. They focus on helping campers grow in confidence, refine their abilities, and most importantly, enjoy the process in a positive and supportive environment.

Adventure & Nature

Archery

Archery is one of the most popular activities at camp. Led by a certified instructor through the National Archery Association, campers practice on stationary targets over varying distances using traditional bows, recurve bows, and compound bows. Progress is defined, tracked and recognized as campers hone their skills and show increasing accuracy over the course of each session.

Great Outdoors

Spending time at camp in New Hampshire makes a great opportunity to learn about living and surviving in nature. Although campers at Camp Marist live and sleep in well-equipped facilities, this activity teaches about some of the basic skills needed for hiking and camping adventures. Topics pull from a wide variety of skills and are tailored to the group attending, and can draw from: setting up a camping tent, creating a shelter out of natural resources, starting a campfire with basic materials, safety and techniques of outdoor cooking, compass and map reading, identifying edible plants, identifying common animal tracks, identifying important weather conditions, and so much more. Participants in this activity will leave equipped with the knowledge and practice to put into play on their next outdoor adventure!

Ropes Challenge

Cooperation, Trust, and Teamwork define what it takes to be successful on the ropes course. With low-ropes and high-ropes elements campers develop their skills and confidence through individual as well as team-based challenges. Trained and certified instructors guide and support the campers as they reach new heights.

Go-Karts

Campers wind their way through the Camp’s track with our fleet of commercial go-karts. Campers learn and practice the basic mechanics of cart operation and compete for fast but safe and controlled lap completions. Always a hit, but we reserve this thrill for campers under age 14.

Horseback Riding

Our experienced riding instructors will provide novice and seasoned riders with a memorable and educational experience over the course of the session. From our ample corral to the numerous bridle paths throughout our large campus, riders will learn to groom and care for the horses, as well as develop riding skills in their time at the stables Note that campers should plan to bring long pants for riding and boots if they have them. When signing up, families should estimate the camper’s experience level:

Beginner

For new riders who are comfortable being close to a horse but lack riding experience, this level introduces campers to safety, care and grooming, getting on and off the horse, and controlling the horse for walking, trotting, and stopping.

Intermediate

For campers who have mastered the beginner skills and have confidence with basic leading, riding, and caring for the horse. This level practices saddling the horse, leading through tight circles, maintaining balance and control while trotting and cantering, comfort walking and trotting on trails, stopping over a medium distance, and provides an introduction to jumping

Advanced

This group is made up of campers with substantial experience riding and who are comfortable and proficient at the skills in the previous levels. This level teaches proper methods for putting on the bridle and cleaning the hooves, and provides practice jumping and maintaining proper position, as well as safe trail riding at 3 speeds with an emphasis controlling, varying speeds, and stopping over short distances.

Air Rifles

Campers through age 11 learn the basics of safety and handling the air rifle, sighting and shooting in different positions, and goal-setting around points on targets. The fundamentals of behavior and respect on a shooting range are introduced as well.

Riflery

Campers age 12 and over can learn how to concentrate and control their movements as they shoot at targets on our protected 50-foot rifle range. Under the guidance of trained, certified, and experienced instructors, campers learn to handle and fire single-shot .22 rifles.

Sports & Fitness

Camp is a great place for kids to be active while learning new skills and maybe even trying new sports. With our diverse offerings of sports and fitness activities, campers can pursue and expand their interests with instructors who can accommodate various skill levels.

For the team sports, counselors provide instruction and design fun drills and scrimmage games for both new and more experienced players to work together to advance their skills.

Sports Medley

Sports Medley is a blend of a number of popular team sports that campers enjoy playing, where the focus is on playing the game rather than developing strong skill. Each day will be a different sport based on group size, age, and interest, and including activities such as: softball, baseball, lacrosse, floor hockey, field hockey, rugby. The counselors will coach the basic rules and techniques of the sport and provide an opportunity for the campers to get into a game and experience the thrill and strategy of the activity. This sampling of various sports has proven to be an emerging favorite for many!

Waterfront

We are fortunate to have a vast, beautiful waterfront with a wide range of activities for campers to enjoy. We believe that as part of the Camp experience every camper should gain knowledge in water safety as well as develop skills in swimming and/or water sports.

All campers are at the waterfront at least twice a day – once for their daily waterfront instruction period and once for the all-camp general swim. Waterfront instruction periods and general swim are led by a team of 16-18 certified lifeguards. During the daily instruction period, campers are placed in American Red Cross swim classes. Those who can demonstrate swimming proficiency at or higher than Level 4 can select from any of the additional swimming and boating activities offered at the waterfront. During the daily general swim, these campers have access to canoes, kayaks, rowboats and paddleboards in addition to all swim areas.

American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-6

Each camper is evaluated on swimming ability at the start of the session and assigned to the appropriate level swim class. Swimming lessons are overseen by American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors and other experienced instructors and lifeguards. Campers must demonstrate proficiency as Level 4 swimmers before having the option to take any of the boating classes.

Canoeing & Kayaking

Canoe & Kayak instruction involves learning about small craft safety, entering and exiting the boat in shallow and deep water, effective paddling techniques for various conditions, self-rescue in the event of a capsize, and more. Classes take trips to various landmarks on our expansive bay or beyond, including a 5-mile round trip canoe challenge for those who are advanced.

Sailing

A long-time favorite at Camp Marist, our sailing classes teach the basics of rigging the boat, identifying wind direction and force, sailing at all points of sail, understanding right-of-way, navigating a course across the bay, righting an overturned boat, and handling various conditions while sailing.

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Campers can experience the wonderful challenge that Stand Up Paddleboarding offers as they explore balance, effective and efficient strokes for paddling, navigating turbulent water, and much more.

Snorkeling

For campers who would rather explore what’s in the water, snorkeling is a perfect match! Campers learn how to safely enter the water, maintain a fog-free mask, clear a snorkel after a dive, and explore the lake floor without disturbing it. Campers will carry the diver’s flag to numerous exciting areas of the lake where they’ll discover underwater plant life, animals, and terrain.

Water Safety & Rescue

The water safety & rescue activity is perfect for campers who want to excel in water safety and equip themselves with skills to help others in an emergency. This basic rescue course serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of life-guarding and water safety. Campers learn how to assist a swimmer in need of help without endangering themselves, how to understand and adapt to changing weather conditions, how CPR works and when someone needs it, and how to use a variety of rescue equipment found in aquatic environments. While not a certification course, this activity is certainly a confidence booster for campers and a great introduction to prepare them for future training courses.

Water Skiing

Campers are taught the basics of the sport by qualified instructors, and progress through the various levels of achievement as described by the American Water-Skiing Association. Beginner skiers are taught using the ski boom on two skis. Novice and advanced skiers can learn slalom, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and even barefoot skiing.

Fishing

Campers who wish to go beyond the land-based excitement to go fishing are taken out on the lake aboard our 24-foot pontoon fishing boat. Poles, tackle and bait will be provided, but campers can bring their own gear if they prefer. Many different types of fish have been caught, but the large mouth bass has always been the prize catch, as they can be 24-inch (or longer). Most summers a handful of campers will submit their catches for consideration in the New Hampshire Trophy Fish program for recognizing the largest catch in 21 different freshwater categories. We also offer Advanced Fishing for more experienced campers who are 12 or older. The activity is a double period class, and involves fishing on the adjoining bays and on Lake Ossipee itself.

Powerboat Instruction

The powerboat driver education course familiarizes campers with the boating laws of New Hampshire. Campers learn to operate and drive various sized powerboats under the supervision of the instructor. This exciting opportunity is reserved for campers ages 12 and up.

Creative & Performing Arts

Campers can demonstrate their artistic side, stretch their imagination, and explore their creativity through our Creative & Performing Arts activities. Our passionate instructors teach and inspire campers to help them discover new talents.