Vision: Strong Kids. Healthy Planet. It is our vision that every child will grow into an adult able and committed to better our world.
Mission: To guide learning in nature that grows empathy, resilience, grit and a deep connection to the earth. We provide nature connection programs at sea and on land, for all ages, in all seasons, to inspire a deep connection to land and sea, a strong sense of self, and compassion for all.
Core Values: Safety, Hope, Education, Nature Connection, Community, Family, Leadership, Respect
Core Philosophy: Founded as BOAT CAMP in 2007 by Rob and Kate Yeomans, Merrohawke Nature School is now one of at least 75 nature connection organizations nationally, and 150 internationally, that emerged out of the 1970s environmental movement and self-identify as an 8Shields organization. Developed by Jon Young in 1983, the founding belief of 8Shields was that with active mentoring, ceremony, the arts of tracking and survival, and a culture of mentors who all value deep immersion to place, we can return children to the same intimate relationship to the natural world as was held by our indigenous ancestors. These children will then grow up to consciously appreciate, protect and nourish the natural world, their community and themselves.
Complementing the 8 Shields methods applied at Merrohawke are many of the principles and practices of Waldorf education, which seeks to nurture the physical, emotional, intellectual, social, artistic, and spiritual capacities of youth as they grow through ages and stages of life. We seek to grow whole human beings, and in this way, our time in nature deepens our connection to self, community, and the earth.
Service Area: Merrohawke in 2018 delivered 30,791 hours of nature connection to 3,565 youth, aged two to teens, who live within a 50-mile radius of Newburyport. This includes the south-eastern coast of Maine, Merrimack Valley west to the New Hampshire’s Monadnock Valley, and south to Boston’s South Shore.
Funding: Merrohawke operates on 67% program tuition and 33% philanthropy. In 2018, donors funded $39,500 in full and partial scholarship support for students.
Field Sites: Based on the Newburyport waterfront, Merrohawke provides nature connection programs on land and sea through carefully tended vendor relationships with passenger boats (F/V Erica Lee, Yankee Clipper, & Captain’s Lady fleet and Lowell’s Boat Shop), and private land owners (Coachman’s House Property at Maudslay State Park, Earth Harmony Sanctuary, Jennie Lagoulis Reservation, and the campus of High Mowing School.)
Staff: Merrohawke operates with five full-time staff, 14 seasonal staff and 12 teen volunteer apprentices. The staff:student ratio is 1:6, sometimes 1:4. All full-time staff have significant field experience, and college degrees (including graduate degrees) and certifications in environmental education, science teaching, early childhood education and/or Waldorf education. All adult staff are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Kate and Rob Yeomans are also US Coast Guard licensed captains.
Board of Directors: Merrohawke is stewarded by an active, engaged, passionate board of volunteers.
Thomas Murray, president, onboard since 2012
Sally Milliken, vice-president, onboard since 2011
Vania O'Connor, treasurer, onboard since 2014
Sarah Gurtman, secretary, onboard since 2016
Rob Ciampitti, onboard since 2018
Meg Connerton, onboard since 2018
David Marroncelli, onboard since 2016
PJ Solomon, onboard since 2016
David Ten Eyk, onboard since 2015
Harmony Wilson, onboard since 2018
