Camping Summer Stories

Many New York City children have never been to summer camp before. They have never slept in a cabin, swam in a lake, gone on an overnight hike, sat around a campfire or taken a dance class. The Fresh Air Fund’s five summer camps located on Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, NY give children from some of New York City's toughest neighborhoods an opportunity to take on new challenges, build confidence, make new friends and experience summer like they never have before.

We asked campers what makes The Fresh Air Fund’s summer camps so special. What is their favorite activity at camp? Why do they like camp? What makes camp different from New York City? Take a look at what our campers had to say about their experiences:  

Bellene Fisher

"This summer, I learned how to be a leader," says 16-year-old Bellene Fisher after returning from The Fund's Camp ABC...

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Jerel Blades

As a first time camper, Jerel Blades' experience at Camp Hidden Valley this summer was full of new and exciting experiences...

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Christyn Betancourt

Catching frogs, overnight stays in a tent and the delicious food are Christyn Betancourt's favorite things about camp...

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Christina Smythe

"It's great to get out of the city and away from the noise!" says Christina Smythe, a 14-year-old Fresh Air camper from Camp Anita Bliss Coler...

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