BRISTOL — On an island on Newfound Lake, a social services program brings New Hampshire boys from disadvantaged backgrounds together, offering respite, support and guidance.

The Mayhew Program has roots going back to the late 19th century, when an independent boarding school in Groton, Massachusetts, started up a summer camp for underprivileged boys at Squam Lake. In 1920, the Groton School Camp was moved to Mayhew Island on Newfound Lake, where the modern-day Mayhew Program resides today.

In 1975, the Mayhew Program was formally incorporated with the oversight of a board of trustees.

Today, boys from around New Hampshire come to Mayhew Island in the summer, where they learn to be resilient and enjoy summer activities like swimming, camp fires and general cabin camaraderie. It’s the onl

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