Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 7–16
Directory · United States · New York · New York
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 7–16

The Fresh Air Fund

Fishkill, NY and Harriman State Park, NY · ★ 4.4 (142 reviews)

Provides free summer experiences in the outdoors for children from New York City's underserved communities.

▌ Editor's read The Fresh Air Fund is a non-profit organization established in 1877 by Josephine Shaw Lowell, providing free summer experiences to children from New York City's underserved communities (freshair.org/about-us/). The organization offers various programs, including overnight camps and host family stays, all at no cost to the families (freshair.org/our-programs/). They explicitly state that all staff and volunteers undergo background checks and that children receive health screenings to ensure safety (freshair.org/safety/). The website highlights a strong emphasis on providing enriching outdoor experiences and fostering personal growth for participants. Their extensive history and focus on community support are significant strengths.
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Since 1491877+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 7–16

The Fresh Air Fund is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. overnight/sleepaway programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
149 (1877 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
  • Ages: 7–16
  • Address: 633 Third Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017
  • Phone: (212) 897-8900
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: Free

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: Yes
  • Transportation: Yes
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about The Fresh Air Fund

What ages does The Fresh Air Fund accept?
The Fresh Air Fund is open to children ages 7–16. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
Who runs The Fresh Air Fund?
The Fresh Air Fund is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 1877 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does The Fresh Air Fund provide lunch?
Yes — The Fresh Air Fund includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
Does The Fresh Air Fund offer transportation?
The Fresh Air Fund provides transportation. Coverage zones and bus stops vary; ask for the route map for the summer you're enrolling in. Some camps fold bus fees into tuition, others bill separately.

Planning guides

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