Year-Round Camping
Camp facilities at Sharpe Reservation are utilized throughout the year by a wide range of organizations including schools, clubs, churches and associations for meetings, conferences and retreats. Thousands of school children learn about nature and participate in programs at the Environmental Center. In addition, Family Camping at Hidden Valley provides weekend getaways for parents and siblings of children with physical and emotional disabilities.
2007 marked the tenth year that the New York City Housing Authority sponsored day trips to camp, to help brighten the lives of children living in housing developments. This year-round partnership continues to flourish and provide camping programs to 2,000 inner-city youngsters.
The Fund has expanded its initiative to intensify its relationship with young campers. Boys and girls from Camps Hayden-Marks Memorial and Anita Bliss Coler participated in weekend camping programs in the fall and spring. Activities included hiking, cooking, arts and crafts and cooperative games.
The Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program at Camps Hidden Valley, Anita Bliss Coler and Hayden-Marks Memorial have expanded tremendously in recent years. The majority of the CITs are former campers. During summer and weekend camp visits, young people acquire supervisory skills to become future camp counselors. They develop leadership team-building and communications skills through a year-round program.
The Fresh Air camps and staff trained to work with children and families in crisis offer solace and the means to begin the healing process. The camps provide youngsters with a safe haven where they can, quite simply, just be children. Families are invited from schools, unions and other organizations to enjoy a break from the city while surrounded by the lakes and forests of the 3,000-acre Sharpe Reservation. They participate in traditional camp activities, such as cookouts, boating and fishing, hiking and a trip to the Model Farm. They also have opportunities to meet individually and in groups with Fresh Air Fund social workers and counselors.