Bear Island is the second largest island in Lake Winnipesaukee

Lake Winnipesaukee

Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is approximately long and from wide , covering — when Paugus Bay is included—with a maximum depth of ....

 in New Hampshire

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...

, USA. In the summer it is accessible only by boat or helicopter because it is not connected to the mainland via a bridge. In the winter it can be reached by snowmobile. According to the Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society, the island got its name when a few hunters along with a few members of the Penacook tribe were sent to survey the island. However they encountered a few bears, which they decided to hunt. Originally the island was named "Big Bear Island," which was later shortened to "Bear Island" when the island was annexed by the town of Meredith

Meredith, New Hampshire

Meredith is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 6,241 at the 2010 census. Meredith is situated beside Lake Winnipesaukee. It is home to Stonedam Island Natural Area and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad...

 in 1799.

Summer Camps

The island houses two YMCA summer camps: one for boys and one for girls. The boys camp is called Camp Lawrence, and its sister camp is called Camp Nokomis. Both are sponsored by the Bear Island Camps Association under the direction of the Merrimack Valley YMCA.