The Fresh Air Home provides an environment in which special needs children can socialize, mature and develop physically, emotionally and psychologically. Campers gain new confidence and return home with wonderful memories of fun and new friendships. Many of the children have their first experiences of leadership and competition in an environment of equality and fun.

Children between the ages of 6 to 18 participate in one of two three-week sessions or a one week session. Camp programming is the same as any other summer camp including arts and crafts, music/drama and swimming. Adaptive equipment and flexible rules allow campers to participate in every sport from basketball to hockey. Wheelchair tennis and sailing were recently added. During the summer more than 150 campers participate in the programs.

The Home is one of the few summer residential camp facilities for disabled children in the Eastern United States. It is a barrier-free with paved walks and ramps. Children live in fully equipped dormitories.

Two registered nurses are on campus to provide 24 hour medical attention, a doctor is on call, and Southampton Hospital is five minutes away. There is also a physical therapist on staff.

Waterfront personnel is fully certified including CPR. The staffing ration is 1.5:1, counselors to campers and the majority of the staff are students studying in fields devoted to special needs.

Many of the 150 children who attend each summer are in need of total care and require help in dressing, feeding, bathing toileting and transferring. Others use electric or manual wheelchairs, braces or crutches, while some manage without any appliances. Camp enrollment now includes children from schools, agencies and programs throughout New York and the United States.

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.

Tha camp offers a very generous scholarship scheme that is open to all applicants.

Our MISSION is to provide an enriching,, recreational camping experience. We are committed to helping our campers develop physically, emotionally, and educationally, with the goal of fostering esteem, maturity and independence through a broadly balanced program, while providing their families with a well deserved respite.

This organization is dedicated to improving and expanding it's programs and facilities as new opportunities, technology and financial support become available.