New England Fishing Academy
Check out our latest catch! Our partnership with New England Fishing Academy brings campers to various locations around Massachusetts for some catch-and-release fishing. They’ll learn everything that goes into reeling in the big one including how the weather, moon, time of day, and other environmental factors all come together for a great fishing experience. Not all fishing gear is the same, and NEFA will show your camper which equipment is best for the kind of fish they are seeking. Most importantly, NEFA will foster an appreciation for the various ecosystems we share and the responsibility we have in preserving them. The professional staff at NEFA will create lasting memories out in nature that will have your camper experiencing the great outdoors in their own backyards.
If your camper is looking to further their fishing experience, this season we are offering a hybrid week where they will learn the intricacies and craftsmanship of rod design, build their own rod, and head out for local fishing excursions! Join us Week 3 for NEFA: Rod + Reel. It’s sure to be a trip!
This season, the program will be offered in the following sequence:
Week 1 – NEFA: Daily Excursions
Week 2 – NEFA: Daily Excursions
Week 3 – MORE NEFA: Rod + Reel
Grades
Children entering grades 5 through 8 in September 2025
Hours
9:00am–4:00pm
Program Highlights
Packed lunch provided by Beaver daily; campers choose from a menu of sandwich + snack options. Weeks 1 + 2 offer campers a daily fishing adventure with the team from NEFA. Then, Week 3 offers a hybrid experience including building rods in our design studio with guided instruction by the NEFA team + fishing excursions!
NEFA Directors
New England Fishing Academy is lead by a dynamic team of professional fishing instructors: Craig McLaughlin + Chris Margraf.
Craig is pure city, having grown up in Winthrop, MA with Boston Harbor in his backyard. Chris, on the other hand, is pure country. Growing up in Keene, NH and spending time every summer in the lobster fishing community of Friendship, ME, he has had plenty of exposure to lakes, ponds, rivers, and the ocean. Needless to say, they have both logged over 40 years each on the water. Craig holds a US Coast Guard OUPV Captain’s license and Chris leads yearly fishing expeditions for his school. Sharing their love and knowledge of the water and its various fisheries is the reason why they created the New England Fishing Academy.
Trips Schedule
After drop-off each morning, campers depart Beaver to enjoy off-campus excursions. Since we are unable to accommodate late arrival or early dismissals for campers enrolled in any of our Trips Camp program, your campers won’t miss a moment of the adventures ahead this season.
Extended Day
Want more camp? You’ve got it. Our weekly Extended Day programs are available to all campers for an additional fee.
7:30-8:30am – Drop off your camper up to an hour earlier than the regular drop-off at 8:30am.
4:00-6:00pm – Extend your camper’s day as late as possible to give them full access to more activities.
Transportation Options
Why not let someone else be the driver? We’ll safely shuttle your camper to and from Beaver by bus.