Share the Beauty of Your Community with a 'Fresh Air Child' This Summer

Thousands of families in rural, suburban, and small town communities open their hearts and homes to New York City children from low-income communities through The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program each year.

Children ages 7 to 12 are eligible to sign up for this unforgettable experience. Children who are re-invited by host families may continue with The Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips. The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided no-cost summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children since 1877.

There is no such thing as a typical host family, just the desire to share the simple joys of summer with a child from New York City. Fresh Air children enjoy new experiences like swimming in a cool lake, seeing the stars at night, and catching fireflies. Through the eyes of Fresh Air children, host families often share that they rediscover the beauty of their own communities, and say they receive more than they give through the experience.