Sandy Island Spring Retreat

A panoramic view of Sandy Island with a dock and boathouse on a lake.

MEET NEW FRIENDS, CONNECT WITH OLD FRIENDS AND Wrap up the year in fellowship!

If you’re new to FUUSN (First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton), have you heard about Sandy Island yet? We head up to a lovely YMCA camp in New Hampshire to spend a joyful and relaxing weekend together.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RETREAT INFO

Sandy Island Coordinator: sandyisland@fusn.org
Sandy Island Activities Coordinator: sandyisland-activities@fusn.org

Register here

What: FUUSN’s annual retreat to Sandy Island Camp (a YMCA family camp)Campers cluster on the porch at the 2023 Sandy Island retreat

  • GPS address: Northwoods Camp Road, Tuftenboro, NH
  • Where: Sandy Island, a small isle in Lake Winnepesauke (NH) containing only the camp (map)
  • When: Memorial Day weekend
  • How Much: Current pricing available here.  If you are in need of confidential financial aid, contact sandyisland@fusn.org.
  • Who: FUUSNites of all ages—singles, couples, families/significant others, friends (no pets), usually about 130 campers
  • Why: Fun and relaxing weekend to build connections within FUUSN

Several adults and children ride a ferry to Sandy Island.How: Drive 2½ hrs. to just beyond Wolfeboro NH, park your car, take 10 min. boat ride to island. Boats leave the mainland several times in the morning and early afternoon on Saturday and leave the island Monday in the morning or right after lunch.  Click here for detailed boat schedule and information about water taxi for off-schedule needs.

Housing: Rustic cabins w/single beds (some bunks), electricity but no heat, walk to shared bathhouses (a few exceptions have in-house shared full bathrooms).

Accessibility: One cabin has a one-step access (most others have 2-3 steps).  Another cabin has a wheelchair ramp. Visitors to the island should be capable of navigating (1) a long stairway to reach/leave the mainland loading dock, and (2) a few steps into/out of the boat. There are defined walking paths throughout the camp, but some areas have exposed tree roots, uneven ground, and shallow mud after rain. One or two 3-wheeled motor scooters may be available for camper use (email sandyisland@fusn.org to request).

Food: Shared dining hall meals (to suit many dietary needs) provided by Sandy staff. If you need to bring special food items, a few shelves of easily accessible refrigerator space are available in the dining hall. You can make special dietary requests (vegan, gluten-sensitive, etc.) on the registration form.

Campers lounge on beach chairs at Sandy Island.Activities: Sports, crafts, discussion groups, music, swimming, boating, fishing, yoga, art, nature walks, photography, happy hour, bonfire, talent show, dancing, lounging, etc. Watch for messages from our Activities Coordinator requesting activities & leaders.

What to bring: Click here for detailed list

Three children wearing swimsuits play in the water and the sand on a beach at Sandy Island.Children and adults seated and standing at tables on a covered porch participate in crafts activities at Sandy Island.

A woman, an man, and a child wearing life jackets paddle a large kayak on a lake near Sandy Island.