The Fresh Air Fund Ends Another Successful Summer Camp!

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities. Each year, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend Fresh Air Fund camps. This summer was amazingly successful thanks to the generous support from all of The Fresh Air Fund volunteers and donors. With your help, next summer will be wonderful too.

2009 Summer Highlights:

- Nearly 8,000 children enjoyed their best summers yet
- 370 students participated in the Career Awareness Program
- 11 counselors-in-training spent three days on the Appalachian Trail
- 168 young people were Leaders-in-training

Thanks to host families who open up their homes for up to two weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air vacations. More than 65% of all children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year. There is no such thing as a "typical" host family. If you have room in your home - and your heart - to host a child, you could be one too.

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 12 years old, who reside in low-income communities in New York City and are eager to experience the simple pleasures of life outside the city. You can give a child the experience of a lifetime with your gift to The Fresh Air Fund! Whether it's a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our camps, these programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.