April 30, 2026

The Fresh Air Fund’s 21st Annual Sugar Maple Celebration 

Each spring, The Fresh Air Fund’s Sharpe Reservation celebrates the sweetest season of all, maple season! Spanning over 2,000 acres and home to five of The Fresh Air Fund’s camps, Sharpe Reservation welcomes spring by sharing the outdoors with the community. This free community event has about 800 to 1,300 visitors each year, inviting them to explore the magic of maple syrup and the great outdoors. 

The Fresh Air Fund’s award-winning maple syrup on display for purchase. (Eric Shang/The Fresh Air Fund)

The Fresh Air Fund’s 21st Annual Sugar Maple Celebration was a day filled with nature, community and lots of maple syrup! This year was especially memorable as The Fresh Air Fund tied for first place at the Annual Maple Syrup Judging Contest.

MAPLE ACTIVITIES AND TREATS 

Children enjoy trying the maple flavored lollipops at Sharpe Reservation. (Eric Shang/The Fresh Air Fund)  

From the sugar shack to maple cotton candy, there were sweet treats to enjoy and engaging maple-themed activities to participate in.

“My favorite part of today was going to the Sugar Shack! We tasted the black walnut sample. It was my first time ever trying that,” Abby, 11, a City Explorers participant.  

Participants make maple themed crowns and wands in arts & crafts. (Eric Shang/The Fresh Air Fund)

“There’s maple cotton candy, and you get to taste all the maple syrup that was entered in the contest,” shared Arielle, 17, a previous Counselor-in-Training at Camp Tommy.

FRESH AIR COMMUNITY 

Beyond the maple treats, the celebration also brought together a strong community connected to The Fresh Air Fund.

“Everyone here is impacted by The Fresh Air Fund in some way, and we’re all here today to celebrate,” shared Raziya, 17, a previous Counselor-in-Training at Camp Tommy. 

Isaac and Abigail explore the celebration and get their Maple Passports stamped. (Eric Shang/The Fresh Air Fund) 

“This event is amazing and I’m so happy and thankful that I’m able to attend. Being able to see my friends and walk around all together is something I needed,” said Issac, 11, a City Explorers participant.    

A FAMILY TRADITION  

Families pose with Smokey the Bear. (Eric Shang/The Fresh Air Fund)

For many families that live in the area, the Sugar Maple Celebration has become an annual tradition.

The Fresh Air Fund also arranged for families of campers to attend and explore the beauty of Sharpe Reservation together and get a glimpse of the magic their children experience during the summer.

“Our family looks forward to attending the Sugar Maple Celebration. It has become a tradition in our family to come every year and that’s thanks to The Fresh Air Fund,” said Julia Virovlyansky, a Fresh Air parent. 

CAMP MEMORIES  

Arielle and her friend meet Titan and Thyme, the oxens that reside at the Camp Model Farm! (Eric Shang/The Fresh Air Fund) 

Many campers only get to see Fresh Air camps during the summer. The celebration allows participants to visit during the school year and explore all things maple syrup! 

“Today is such an active event where you get to try different things and be in nature. Usually, I’m here during the summertime so it’s great to see camp during a different season. It’s such a relaxing time. I get to walk around, learn about maple syrup and just appreciate it all,” said Arielle, 17, a previous Counselor-in-Training at Camp Tommy.