Host Frequently Asked Questions

Please refer to the following questions to learn more about the experience of hosting a Fresh Air child.

What is The Fresh Air Fund Volunteer Host Family Pogram?
Who are the Fresh Air children?
How are the Fresh Air children selected?
Who are the volunteer host families?
How are the local communities managed?
How can communities participate?
What does The Fresh Air Fund provide?

What is the Volunteer Host Family Program?

Summertime is Fresh Air time for thousands of New York City children growing up in disadvantaged communities. Through The Fresh Air Fund's Volunteer Host Family Program, over 4,000 children visit volunteer host families each summer in rural, suburban, and small town communities, called Friendly Towns,  for one to two weeks across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. 

Since 1877, more than 1.7 million inner-city children, living in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods, have experienced the joys of Fresh Air experiences. The Fresh Air Fund is primarily supported by the generosity of thousands of contributors.

Who are the Fresh Air children?

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for one or two weeks. Children who are reinvited by host families may continue with The Fresh Air Fund through age 18 may enjoy extended trips. Over 65 percent of all children are reinvited to stay with their host families, year after year.  

The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes. 
 

How are the Fresh Air children selected?

Fresh Air children are registered by more than 90 participating social service and community organizations located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the five boroughs of New York City. These community-based agencies are in close contact with children in need of summer experiences outside of the city. Each agency is responsible for registering the children for the program. 

Who are the volunteer host families?

Fresh Air Fund volunteer host families open their homes to inner-city children for one to two weeks or more in the summertime. Host families range ins size and background and live in the suburbs, small towns, or rural areas, and wish to share the simple joys of their communities. The majority of hosts simply want to share their homes with inner-city youngsters. 

There are no financial requirements for hosting a Fresh Air child. Volunteers may request the age-group and gender of the Fresh Air youngster they would like to host. The Fresh Air Fund has a program for placing children who have special physical or emotional needs. 

How are the local communities managed?

Volunteer communities are called Friendly Towns, and each one is managed by a committee of volunteer leaders. The committee does everything from publicizing The Fresh Air Fund on a local level to screening prospective host families. The volunteer committee is available to assist hosts while Fresh Air children are visiting. All committees are run by Chairpeople, supervised by volunteer Fund Representatives who report to staff from The Fresh Air Fund’s New York City office.

How can communities participate?

Local civic organizations and businesses often sponsor volunteer committees in a variety of ways. Organization members serve on volunteer committees, or businesses underwrite local expenses as well as donate services. Some civic groups plan summertime get-togethers for Fresh Air children and their host families. Community sponsorship is vital and reinforces The Fresh Air Fund’s strength on a local level. In some communities, local physicians give free medical attention to Fresh Air visitors. Many restaurants, bowling alleys and other family-oriented facilities provide free, enjoyable entertainment and recreational activities. Media coverage and free public service advertisements in newspapers, on television, radio and the Internet help to attract thousands of potential volunteer hosts. Community support is invaluable to a successful Friendly Town program. 

What does The Fresh Air Fund provide?

At The Fresh Air Fund’s main office in New York City, a professional staff oversees the activities of Fresh Air Fund volunteers and assists them in their organizational and recruitment efforts. The Fresh Air Fund works closely with volunteers on policies, procedures, committee development, transportation plans and publicity activities. The Fresh Air Fund also works closely with more than 90 New York City social service and community organizations to register Fresh Air children.

The Fresh Air Fund provides transportation for children to and from volunteer communities and arranges for payment of any medical expenses for children without insurance. The Fresh Air Fund also provides liability insurance for hosts and committee volunteers.

In addition to the Volunteer Host Family Program, The Fresh Air Fund has five camps in upstate New York where 3,000 inner-city children enjoy free vacations each summer. The Fresh Air Fund also runs year-round programs to help New York City youngsters. 

Header Photo Credit: Susan Woog Wagner