February 25, 2026 Category: Our Impact Our Programs

Fresh Air City Explorers: Discovering Outdoor Adventures in New York City

Fresh Air City Explorers is a new school-year mentoring and enrichment program that  connects Fresh Air campers with peers and mentors through fun and engaging outdoor adventures across New York City. 

Launched in Fall 2025, the program creates equitable access and opportunities for youth, ages 10 – 12, to build confidence and develop leadership skills. In the future, it will be expanded to ages 10 – 14. The group meets monthly to explore parks, tour museums and visit NYC landmarks. 

They’ve enjoyed ice skating in Prospect Park, visiting the High Line, riding a ferry to the South Street Seaport, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and more! Participants discover new and exciting places throughout the city with the support of dedicated mentors, half of whom are Fresh Air Fund alumni themselves.  

Campers and mentors pose for photos at New York Botanical Garden.
City Explorers and their mentors get ready to explore the New York Botanical Garden. (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund) 

City Explorers encourages curiosity about the world and shows youth that there is so much to experience outdoors in New York City. Participants are given fun tools to aid in their exploration, like binoculars for birdwatching and digital cameras to document their adventures. They learn how to navigate the city, while creating memorable moments with their friends and mentors.  

Two children use binoculars to birdwatch in the park.
Youth are given binoculars to birdwatch and look for wildlife in the park. (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund) 

Outdoor Adventures 

Portrait of Jayden at New York Botanical Garden.
Jayden at the New York Botanical Garden. (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund) 

“My favorite part about City Explorers is how we get to learn a lot and try new things for the first time. Ice skating was new for me! It was fun because I’ve always wanted to go ice skating but never had the chance to learn,” said Jayden, 11.  

Two children pose for a photo at the ice skating rink.
Learning how to ice skate in Prospect Park. (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund) 

“My favorite trip was when we visited The High Line. We learned about old trains and tracks and I was really interested,” said Abby, 11. “I’m excited to experience more new things!”  

Portrait of City Explorer Abby at ice skating rink.
Abby at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park.  (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund) 

Exploring and Making New Friends 

At the New York Transit Museum, City Explorers toured centuries-old vintage train cars, getting a glimpse into the fascinating history of the New York City transit system.  

Albert, 11, loved his first time at the New York Botanical Garden, seeing model trains at the Holiday Train Show and exploring the wide diversity of plants and fungi in the indoor biomes.  

Portrait of City Explorer Jayden at New York Botanical Garden.
Albert at the New York Botanical Garden. (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund) 

“My favorite part about today was exploring the rainforest and desert biomes! I learned that they have trees in the desert that are covered in prickles, which means you can’t touch them. That’s so cool!” said Albert. 

Portrait of City Explorer Rachel at New York Botanical Garden.
Rachel at the New York Botanical Garden. (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund) 

“This program is so much fun, and you get to explore all these different places with your friends. I think everyone should sign up!” said Rachel, 11.  

City Explorers smile at The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden.
The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden sparks joy.  (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund) 

City Explorers has many more adventures planned and we can’t wait to see what they do next! 

Learn more about volunteering as a mentor with Fresh Air City Explorers!