Complete the Fleet Campaign

At the Merrimack Valley YMCA Camp Lawrence for boys and Camp Nokomis for girls, generations of campers and staff have and continue to laugh, play, develop friendships, build confidence, learn new skills, and create memories. Our programs celebrate the value of each individual and challenge campers and staff to discover their potential.​

Living on an island is magical. Anyone who has been a camper at one of our island camps understands this. The magic begins the first time you ride across Lake Winnipesaukee, escorted on The Bear, to a place that will change your life forever.

Thousands of boys and girls make the crossing – both physically and emotionally – returning home more confident, more independent and more prepared to face life’s obstacles. If you understand the value of an island camp experience, please consider supporting the Fleet Campaign.

Your gift will ensure that campers will continue to experience a safe crossing to our island camps and enjoy a fun, healthy environment on Bear Island by providing the funds necessary to accomplish the following:

1. Retain the Bear as the primary passenger vessel.

2. Augment the Bear with two mid-sized passenger boats, one for each camp.

3. Purchase a primary logistics boat to haul trash and other heavy cargo.

4. Provide each camp with a small utility boat, with a capacity of 3-5 persons.

5. Complement current program boats with new purpose-designed boats for each camp to enhance water sports offerings.

To keep the cost of our camp programs at an affordable level, updating and augmenting the current fleet must be financed by philanthropic support. 

The Complete the Fleet Committee's success with our campaign has allowed restoration of the Bear to continue! The M/V Bear II passed its sea trials and we are preparing to transport it back to Lake Winnipesaukee. It will be joined by two new passenger boats; one for each camp!

The Bear II propulsion system is being repowered at the Portland Shipyard in Portland, Maine. It's 80-year-old engine is being replaced with a more fuel-efficient tier 3 emissions compliant diesel engine. The propeller and shaft will be replaced along with other mechanical systems integration and updates. 

Fogg Boatworks of North Yarmouth, Maine, was selected to design and build our two new boats to meet the unique needs of our island camps. These passenger boats are identical and custom designed to meet State of NH and USCG standards. They are 32 feet long and built of welded aluminum. The passenger deck is fully covered with built in bench seating. The boats are powered by outboard engines with an estimated maximum speed of 25 knots. Having these two fast boats will improve our ability to move large numbers of people to and from the island with shorter travel times and are designed for all weather options. Our first passenger boat, the VJ Mill III, has successfully made it into the water and passed its sea trials! Let the countdown to camp season begin.