Bovino, Arthur (29 June, 2003). “As Buses Roll Out, Hundreds of Children Tackle Summer Adventure” The New York Times.

 

Haskell, Kari (5 May, 2003). “Weekend Camps Offer a Chance to Heal the Wounds of 9/11” The New York Times.

 

 

OVERVIEW

For 126 years the Fresh Air Fund of New York City has given disadvantaged children a short-term way out of the city come summertime. In the wake of the 9/11 attack on the WorldTradeCenter, the need for time away seemed all the more pressing. With the help of a network of donors and nonprofit agencies, one initial program sent children and their families on free retreat programs to rural camps. The program quickly expanded beyond summertime travels, and provided seventeen getaway weekends for lower-income Manhattan families during 2002-2003, according to Haskell.

 

The chance to spend a few days staying in a cabin and participating in outdoor activities seems to go a long way toward helping parents and their children reconnect with one another outside the stress and scars of city life. Rita Andujar, a single parent who lost her job following 9/11, attended a retreat with her four year-old son. “This year has been the toughest year that I have ever faced in my life,” she said. “I really appreciate this program. It is a minivacation.”

 

 

A further benefit is that families and youths coming from similar circumstances are able to meet and get to know one another. And in many cases older youths are given the opportunity to venture out on their own for time away from their working parents.  

 

 

Bovino reports on a day in which hundreds of New York children eagerly awaited the buses that would take them out of the city to short vacations with host families and camps. Jenny Morgenthau, executive director of the Fresh Air Fund, tells Bovino:  “It’s very exciting. It’s what we work for all year – to see the children excited and the parents excited for them.” Ryan Alvarado, a 14 year-old from Manhattan, said of a previous trip to Mifflintown, PA: I went fishing the first time I went there. If you’re stressed out, fishing is probably the best thing to do to calm you down.”

 

By the looks of things, many other youths might be learning similar lessons, though ongoing support is needed to keep the program alive.

 

·        More than 10,000 New York City

children participate in the Fund’s free programs each year.

·        In 2002 about 6,000 children visited volunteer host families, and an additional 3,000 attended five Fund camps in Fishkill, N.Y.

 

·        A year-round camping program typically serves 2,000 additional children.

 

 

HOW TO HELP?

 

1.      To register children for Fresh Air summer vacations call (800) 367-0003.

2.      Send tax deductible donations to: Fresh Air Fund,

633 Third Avenue, New York, NY

. 10017.

3.      Visit the Fund’s Web site: www.freshair.org.

 

 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

 

1.      Are you aware of young people or families who would benefit from some time outside of the city?

 

2.      Why are such trips thought to be so valuable?

 

3.      What does this tell us about the structure and habits of urban life?

 

 

IMPLICATIONS

Programs such as the Fresh Air Fund have found a focused means by which the lives of young people and their families can be encouraged. If you are aware of young people who might benefit from such an experience, consider helping them look into such programs.