Free summer adventures out of town

Open fire hydrants, sirens mixed with the sounds of ice cream trucks and overcrowded city parks are synonymous with the typical city kid’s summer staycation.
The Fresh Air Fund, an independent non-profit organization established in 1877, has helped children in disadvantaged communities escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. These children are granted the opportunity to enjoy scenic summer getaways in locations including Canada and 13 states from Virginia to Maine.
The 1.7 million children who have enjoyed vacations courtesy of the Fresh Air Fund have either visited host families or attended one of Fresh Air Fund’s five summer camps — all free of charge. The fund caters mostly to children from low income communities who may not have the opportunity to be exposed to summer activities, ranging from making S’mores, skipping rocks, swimming in a lake, or horseback riding.
It is expected that over 800 children from Queens will be attending the host family or the summer camp program this year.
Departing from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the Fresh Air Fund began its 2011 summer retreats on June 29. Registration is expected to end in early August for this life-changing experience.
For more information on registration, donating to the fund, or becoming a host family, visit www.freshair.org or www.facebook.com/freshairfund.