founded 1901 P.O. Box
244
This organization is dedicated to improving and expanding its programs and facilities as new opportunities, technology and financial support become available. The Southampton Fresh Air Home provides a unique vacation experience for physically challenged youth. Children between the ages of 8 to 18 participate in one of the two three week sessions. A third two-week session is for young adults from 16-22. Camp programing is the same as any other summer camp and includes arts and crafts, music/drama, swimming and sailing. Adaptive equipment and flexible rules allow campers to participate in every sport from basketball to hockey. Wheelchair tennis and sailing were recently added. The young adult session focuses on computer technology and graphic design, job skills/orientation, and social activities in addition to the regular programs. During the summer more than 150 campers participate in the programs. The Southampton Fresh Air Home for Physically challenged children was established in 1901 (as the Southampton Fresh Air Home for Crippled Children) to provide a summer residential camp for patients at The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. These children, primarily from low to middle income families, suffer from crippling diseases such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, osteogenesis imperfecta and spinal cord and head injuries. Many of the 150 children who attend each summer are in need of total care and require help dressing, feeding, bathing, toileting, and transferring. Others use electric or manual wheelchairs, braces or crutches, while some can manage without appliances. In addition to children from the Hospital for Special Surgery and The Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center, camp enrollment now includes children from schools, agencies and programs throughout the tri-state area and beyond.
The Southampton Fresh Air Home is a not-for-profit
corporation which is tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3)
of the Internal Revenue Code. It is funded by donations
from individuals and foundations, and to a limited extent
from agencies and fees. The Home does not discriminate
against anyone because of inability to pay, race, creed,
religion, national origin, sex, or handicap.
Over the years thousands of children have benefited from
their carefree summers in the fresh air. For some it has
been a bright interval in a brief life. For others it has
been literally life-extending.
You are invited to join in supporting this unique, vital
service to children and their families who need special
assistance, understanding, care and love.
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