Camp Junior: Community and Opportunity for Bronx Youth

Camp Junior, in Harriman State Park, founded in 2019 in memory of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, a 15-year-old victim of gang violence, is a safe and supportive environment for children aged 8-15 from the Bronx to explore new interests, develop close friendships, follow their dreams and discover new ones. It’s been described by campers as a place where they can be themselves and is a treasured community resource that fosters positive outcomes for campers, giving children and families alike pathways to brighter futures and beyond.
Camp Junior is a partnership between The Fresh Air Fund and New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.
Our surveys of Parents/Caregivers demonstrate the critical impact: 90% of youth feel more comfortable in new environments; 93% learned important skills and 94% are more open to trying new things. 4 in 5 campers shared that they got better at making new friends and discovered new things they were good at.
Soaring High: The First of Many Adventures
Camp Junior is 13-year-old Sarai’s very first summer camp experience, where she faced her fears on the high ropes. “This camp is a really chill and calm place to get away from all your worries,” Sarai said. “The counselors at this camp are very caring and take care of you very well.”

“I like this camp because you meet friends that have similar challenges to you, so you get support here. I also like the high ropes because I get to socialize more and build connections by working as a team,” said Alexa, 14.

The high ropes course can certainly be daunting at first, but with help from new friends and supportive counselors, brave campers, like Alexa and Sarai, conquer the challenge and develop confidence along the way!
Campers other adventures include exploring the outdoors, hiking and kayaking. They also have swimming, photography, chess and archery lessons and express their creativity through art, music and dance. In the evenings, campers wind down with fun activities like movie nights, karaoke and talent shows.

Building Trust

“I spent one summer at Camp Hidden Valley and now I’m here,” said Angel, 11. “I like going to the lake, because I know how to swim. Just trust me you’ll have fun!”

Building trust is a common theme at Camp Junior. Guided by supportive counselors and instructors, camp activities encourage children to develop new skills and build trust in themselves and their fellow campers.
Tyrese, 10, is a first-time camper whose favorite activities are sports and swimming. “At first, I felt sad being away from my mom, but when I came here, I made friends and talked to people,” said Tyrese.

Connecting Learning with the Outdoors
Campers also participate in unique educational opportunities hosted by Fresh Air Fund partners like BioBus. Campers learned about biology with BioBus and had the opportunity to use an electronic microscope to study plants and insects to learn about the ecosystem around them.

“We don’t usually have a lot of time to be at peace with nature so being able to interact with others and try new things is really nice,” said Layla, 15.
From Camper to Camp Junior Leadership

The Fresh Air Fund’s Director of Camp Junior, Kayla Paulino, is from the Bronx and a Fresh Air alum. “It hits home to me because I’m born and raised in the Bronx and currently live here,” said Kayla. “It is an honor and a blessing to help my community directly and impact youth that look like me and come from the same background and neighborhoods that I do. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Year-round Engagement
Camp Junior’s community impact doesn’t end when the summer does. It also provides year-round programming such as Life Skills workshops, a Running Club in partnership with On-Running, and special events like the annual Maple Celebration, which keep campers and their families engaged and supported throughout the year.
Watch our video to experience Camp Junior and Sign Up for camp today!