THE FRESH AIR FUND, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877.

Nearly 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually. In 2008, close to 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. 3,000 children also attended five Fresh Air camps on a 2,300-acre site in Fishkill, New York. The Fund’s year-round camping program serves an additional 2,000 young people each year.

Fresh Air children, boys and girls from six to 18 years old, visit volunteer host families for up to two weeks during the summer. Children have the opportunity to experience simple summertime pleasures, such as swimming in a lake, riding a bike down a country lane and watching the stars. Fresh Air children and volunteer families often form bonds of friendship that last a lifetime. Over 65 percent of all children are reinvited to stay with host families, year after year.

Three thousand New York City youngsters attend five Fresh Air camps on a 2,300-acre site in Fishkill, New York. Children participate in traditional camp activities, and special features include a planetarium, model farm, wilderness trails and ropes courses. Camp Hidden Valley has facilities for children with special needs.

The Fresh Air Fund’s innovative Career Awareness Program is designed to help New York City youngsters understand the relationship between school and work and how to make choices that will determine their futures. Twelve to 14-year-olds participate in job shadowings and a career fair. The year-round program includes weekend camping trips and an intensive three-and-a-half week summer session at Camp Mariah. Career awareness graduates continue to receive support through the PreOccupations Club and benefit from the guidance of volunteer mentors.