Register Now for Free Summer Camps with The Fresh Air Fund
Free summer camps for city kids!
It may seem odd to think about summer camp while the cold winter winds are sweeping through New York, but now is actually the perfect time to start planning. If you think that a summer sleepaway camp might be impossible for your budget, think again because thanks to The Fresh Air Fund, for those who meet certain eligibility requirements, sleepaway camp can actually be free!
For over 140 years, The Fresh Air Fund, a nonprofit youth development organization, has been offering free sleepaway camps for children from underserved communities in New York City. With a variety of camps located in the Mid-Hudson Valley, this summer program is an opportunity for kids ages 8 to 17 to explore nature, try new activities, and build confidence in a supportive environment.
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Camp Experiences for Different Ages and Interests
The Fresh Air Fund’s camps are spread across more than 2,000 acres in Fishkill, New York, and cater to different age groups and interests. The camps focus on providing kids with a chance to step outside their everyday lives in the city, connect with nature, and discover new talents, all while forming friendships with fellow campers.
Camp ABC (ages 9-14) empowers girls through activities like swimming, arts and crafts, and archery, while fostering confidence and community. Camp Hidden Valley (ages 8-12) offers outdoor adventure and creativity with swimming, sports, and music. Camp Hayden-Marks (ages 9-14) provides boys with opportunities in swimming, photography, and guitar, focusing on emotional growth. Camp Junior, in Harriman State Park, serves Bronx youth with outdoor sports, arts, and music. Camp Mariah (ages 12-15) blends career awareness with fun, offering teens hands-on experiences in photography, film, and life skills. Lastly, Camp Tommy (ages 15-17) develops leadership through Leaders-in-Training and Counselor-in-Training programs.
More Than Just Summer Fun
While the Fresh Air Fund’s camps offer plenty of traditional camp activities like swimming, arts and crafts, and sports, there’s a deeper goal of helping kids develop confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that they can carry with them long after summer ends. The camps are designed to help kids break out of their comfort zones, try new things, and learn more about who they are and what they’re capable of.
Lisa Gitelson, CEO of The Fresh Air Fund, explains, “For nearly 150 years, The Fresh Air Fund has been providing youth with transformative opportunities in the outdoors. We are looking forward to welcoming returning and new campers for an incredible summer.”
The Fresh Air Fund plays a significant role in providing access to the outdoors for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Gitelson explains, “Every young person who attends our program should feel like they belong. That’s why The Fresh Air Fund invests heavily in training our staff to ensure they are prepared to handle the unique needs of every camper who comes off the bus.”
Many of the kids who attend these camps come from neighborhoods in New York City where outdoor activities and safe, open spaces are limited. For these children, time at camp is not just a break from the city, it’s a chance to experience something entirely new that can shape their outlook on life and their personal growth.
“Everyone from adults to children benefits from outdoor time,” says Gitelson. “The Fresh Air Fund believes that being outside helps you become the best person you can and offers social-emotional learning opportunities you can’t get anywhere else.”
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How to Apply
Applications for The Fresh Air Fund’s 2025 summer camps are now open, and spots are available for children who meet the eligibility requirements. The camps also offer paid summer job opportunities for adults interested in becoming counselors, program specialists, or lifeguards.
For more information on how to apply for camp or summer positions, you can visit www.FreshAir.org.
