Fresh Air Experience

I don’t know exactly how much I’ve let on about myself to you, my readers. I am going to share a little more today!

Currently I am a student in college getting my major in Agriculture and minoring in Secondary Education. I want to be a high school ag teacher as well as advise students in the FFA (Future Farmers of America).

Personally, I believe that each state education agency should require all students at the high school level to take an introductory AFNR (Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources) course just so AFNR teachers can explain topics such as where their food comes from, what different industries there are in the Ag world, to show what the WIDE OPEN COUNTRY looks like, etc…

I have been told by professors that about 75% of the American populations are such “city folk” that they’ve never even SEEN a cow in person.

There is an organization in New York City that wants to provide NYC children from low-income communities free summer vacations or summer camps. This organization is called the Fresh Air Fund.

Most New York City low-income communities are just towering apartment buildings without any open spaces for children to play. Concrete playgrounds just can’t replace the feeling of running bare foot through an open field.

Every year, the Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun – and opens the door to a lifetime of opportunities. Whether it’s a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of their camps, their programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.

The Fresh Air Fund is a not-for-profit organization searching for 1200 host families for the 2011 summer. Host families are volunteers who open their hearts and homes to children from the city to give them a Fresh Air experience that can change lives.

I know earlier I was talking about the country and cows and what-not. As a host family, you don't have to have THAT in particular. I really just threw that in as an interesting little tid-bit of information that is typical for the majority of the American population. These kids really just need a change of scenery! What do these kids enjoy? Just the simple things in life!

Playing in the backyard

Laughing in the sunshine

Catching fireflies

Riding bicycles

Learning to swim

Running barefoot through the grass

Gazing at the stars on moonlit nights

Building sandcastles

Making new friends

Simple pleasures of life away from the inner-city

 

The Fresh Air Fun is searching for families in the following area:

If you or someone you know would be interested in hosting a child or even making a donation to the organization, please call (800) 367-0003 or visit their website to learn more about this exciting adventure for the children.