Career Awareness Program

The Career Awareness Program focuses on expanding the education and career options of New York City adolescents. Boys and girls, ages 12 to 14, make a commitment for three years in order to participate in specially-designed educational, recreational and camping experiences in New York City and at Camp Mariah. All students register in the spring of 6th grade. After completion of the 6th grade school year, they begin the program in the summer.

Young people in the Career Awareness Program are encouraged to:

• Build self-confidence and self-esteem
• Improve reading, writing and communications skills
• Develop problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
• Accept guidance in the exploration of educational and career options
• Enhance their computer learning
• Find out about jobs and learn more about specific career paths
• Meet volunteer mentors and guest speakers from a wide range of professions
• Understand the vital link between school and future employment
• Learn more about education, training, employment and life choices
• Become motivated and focused on plans for the future
• Work as a team with peers and share responsibilities
• Have a lot of fun

The Theme: Choices, Decisions and Consequences

The theme “Choices, Decisions and Consequences” is explored throughout The Fund’s Career Awareness Program. Adolescents must learn to consider their choices and recognize that actions do have consequences. The decisions they make today will have a direct impact on their future career options. Career campers are taught that education and literacy are the keys to reaching their goals. Young people need to read, write and communicate effectively in order to get ahead in life.

Through the Career Awareness Program, young people discover their strengths, practice critical thinking and develop interpersonal skills. Adolescents need to become actively involved in the choices and decisions that will determine their future. At career camp, these questions are often asked and explored, “What other choices have you considered?” “What are you trying to accomplish?” We encourage young people to face challenges and follow career paths that are in line with their skills and talents.

Camp Mariah, Career Awareness Camp

Camp Mariah is the centerpiece of The Fresh Air Fund's Career Awareness Program. Camp Mariah provides three-and-a-half week summer camp sessions for nearly 300 boys and girls. Camp offers a unique setting for young people to enjoy career exploration and preparation for the world of work. The summer program is both educational and recreational. In addition to career awareness, boys and girls enjoy traditional camping activities including hiking, swimming and singing around campfires. The Career Awareness Camp is named in honor of board member Mariah Carey for her generous support and dedication to Fresh Air youngsters.

The Career Awareness Program offers a curriculum at Camp Mariah that introduces young people to specific career fields, such as science and technology, communications and health and fitness. Campers attend classes and workshops in creative writing, journalism, photography, television and video production, fashion design, dance, computers and more. All classes provide an opportunity to teach young people about the wide range of career possibilities available to them.

Facts about Camp Mariah:

A career camper sleeps in a cabin with five other campers and two staff members. There are six cabins for boys and six for girls. Campers are not allowed in the cabins of the opposite gender.

Campers are supervised by college-age counselors who closely monitor the young people and participate in the activities including meal time, cabin cleaning, free time and classes. In addition to the 36 counselors who supervise 144 campers (one counselor to four campers), there are two assistant directors, a program director, six head counselors, six waterfront staff, 19 instructors and two licensed nurses.

Meals are carefully planned to meet the nutritional guidelines of the USDA and the appetites of teenagers. Typical meals include lasagna, pizza, cheeseburgers, meatloaf and chicken, along with side dishes of salad, vegetables, rolls and rice. Breakfast includes cold cereal and hot foods such as eggs, pancakes or french toast.

Weekend Camping Program

In addition to the three-and-a-half week summer session, career campers enjoy one weekend at Camp Mariah in the fall and spring. Weekend camping retreats are planned with themes to encourage participation and build teamwork. Campers may be involved with solving a mystery in order to develop critical thinking skills, or becoming entrepeneurs to learn about business skills.

Career Fair

In the spring, young people attend a one-day career fair in New York City. Guest speakers discuss educational requirements, job skills and personal qualities necessary to succeed in their professions. Workshops have been presented by a variety of volunteers including television and film producers, lawyers, computer operators, designers, physicians, dancers, teachers and bankers.

The 2009 Career Fair was held at the Con-Edison building in Long Island City. Look below for pictures from the successful event!

Job Shadowing

During the school year, young people participate in "job shadowing," which offers close-up views of the world of work. Career awareness students have visited hospitals, newspapers,restaurants, law firms and many other places of business. They learn about the range of jobs that exist in each work place.

PreOccupations Club

The PreOccupations Club is open to all Career Awareness Program graduates. The club meets weekly, and young people continue to develop career-related skills and benefit from post-high school planning and college guidance. Volunteer mentors also guide the students through their choices and help with tips and techniques for securing employment. Alumni attend educational and recreational weekends at Camp Mariah during the fall and spring.

Click here to read about Hasan Dennis, a high school senior who participates in the PreOccupations Club!

Secondary Schools Connections Program

The Fund continues its highly successful Secondary Schools Connections Program by helping career campers identify public, private and parochial school options. The Secondary Schools Connections Program helps families understand high school options, arranges high school visits, offers after-school academic support through weekly tutoring sessions, and helps youngsters prepare for high school applications and exams such as The New York City Specialized Science High School Test.

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