December 23, 2024 Category: Our Impact Fresh Air Fun

Top Ten Fresh Air Memories of 2024 

We’re wrapping up 2024 by looking back at all the unforgettable moments we had with our campers that made the year so special. It was very difficult to choose from all the incredible memories, but here are our top ten! 

10: Maple Syrup for the Soul 

Smokey the Bear mascot high fives child at festival.
Smokey The Bear paid a visit to the Sugar Maple Celebration and greeted attendees. (The Fresh Air Fund)

Maple season is one of our favorite times of the year! The Fund’s annual Sugar Maple Celebration attracts hundreds of people each year, to enjoy fun crafts, support local vendors, visit the planetarium and, of course, try the maple syrup we tap at The Fund’s Sharpe Reservation.  

9: Musicians in the Making 

Camper in striped shirt holds guitar during guitar lesson.
All Fresh Air campers have guitar lessons. (Jack Hyland/The Fresh Air Fund)

Music is one of the many creative skills campers develop while at camp! They learn how to read music and try out instruments including the piano, drums, guitar and more. A big Fresh Air thank you to the ASCAP Foundation which provides guitar lessons to all our campers. 

8: Celebrating Thirty Years of Camp Mariah 

Singer Mariah Carey poses on stage in magenta dress with group of campers and alumni.
Board Member Mariah Carey sharing the stage with campers and alumni. (The Fresh Air Fund)

The 2024 Spring Benefit was a remarkable evening celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Camp Mariah, honoring Board Member Mariah Carey and raising funds to support Fresh Air programs. Thank you to our corporate honoree Winston & Strawn LLP, our incredible host, Fresh Air alum and Board Member June Ambrose, and to our amazing alumni speakers Ngozi Oghedo and Ibraheem Best-Adeleke. 

7: Nature, Nutrition and Cute Farm Animals

Camper interacting with rooster with cow in the background.
A camper makes friends with the roosters! (Sneyder Curipoma/The Fresh Air Fund) 

Fresh Air campers love visiting the Camp Model Farm! Campers meet different farm animals, visit the nutrition center and harvest vegetables in the garden. 

6: College Bound Campers 

Two high school students sit at event and smile at camera.
High school students celebrating their graduation. (Allison Engkvist/The Fresh Air Fund)

We were thrilled to recognize the incredible high school students at the College Connections Program Final Celebration! We can’t wait to see what they will do next! 

5: Fashion in Fresh Air 

Campers uses dye to design t-shirts.
Campers create colorful tie-dye t-shirts. (Allison Engkvist/The Fresh Air Fund)

When volunteers from the company Theory visited Camp Mariah, our campers got to tie-dye t-shirts, crochet, develop a vision board and learn all about careers in fashion! Campers had so much fun combining creativity with developing career and real-world skills.   

4: Hands-On Learning with the Career Awareness Program 

Four students listen to physician showing them surgical instruments on a table.
A physician’s assistant from the Hospital for Special Surgery demonstrates different surgical instruments to CAP students. (Allison Engkvist/The Fresh Air Fund)

The Fund’s Career Fair for our Career Awareness Program students was a day full of learning, discovering new interests and networking! Students had the opportunity to learn about different career pathways and gain insights from a range of professionals including graphic designers, surgeons, engineers and more! Special thanks to Con Edison for hosting the event at the Con Edison Learning Center in Long Island City! 

3: Giving Clear Sight to Campers 

Eye care professional uses phoropter with camper.
A camper receives a free vision exam. (Jack Hyland/The Fresh Air Fund)

The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and The Fresh Air Fund have been working together for 17 years to provide Fresh Air campers with free eye exams and glasses. Many Fresh Air campers don’t have access to vision care, but thanks to the dedicated volunteers from the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, campers can acquire a free new pair of prescription glasses to ensure they have everything they need to excel at camp and in school! 

2: Let the Summer Adventures Begin  

Smiling camper exists bus and walks under the outstretched arms of camp counselors.
Fresh Air Campers can’t wait to start their summertime adventures! (Jack Hyland/The Fresh Air Fund)

If you asked Fresh Air campers what the best thing about summer is, they’d say it’s returning to camp! The first day of camp is all about making new friends, reuniting with old ones, beginning new adventures and getting a big welcome from our counselors! 

1: Growth, Empowerment and Confidence 

Camper holds bow and arrow and aims with greenery in the background.
A camper builds confidence when they learn how to aim in archery. (Kara Gildea/The Fresh Air Fund)

Campers develop their confidence by taking on new and exciting challenges and building skills through activities like archery, fishing, photography and much more. At The Fresh Air Fund’s camps, youth have a safe space to step out of their comfort zone and create memories that last a lifetime!