Fresh Air Kids Take A Deep Breath

And Head Home

By Jan Howard

It was a time for fun and new experiences. The St Rose Carnival, playing on a computer, swimming lessons, and even a visit to Blockbuster were among the highlights of the visit of children from New York City who recently stayed with Newtown families through the annual Fresh Air Fund program.

All the children spoke excitedly about things they did during their stay here, and all of them would like to come back next summer.

The children returned to New York City July 21 after spending two weeks with their host families.

The families and the children spoke enthusiastically about the visit while waiting for their bus to leave for New York City.

Christopher, 7, who visited with Susan and Ted Ruddock and their children Erin, Jena, and Blake, went on a Ferris wheel for the first time at the St Rose Carnival. This was also his first time away from home.

He also enjoyed playing games on the computer and attending basketball camp.

“He’s planning to have us come to New York to go with him to Coney Island,” Mrs Ruddock said.

“And the Bronx Zoo,” Christopher added with a grin.

“We’re going to miss him,” Mrs Ruddock said.

Christopher went on walks every night after dinner with Mrs Ruddock’s mother. At first, Mrs Ruddock explained, Christopher was afraid to walk outside at night. He was afraid someone would jump out of the bushes at them. He was reassured, however, that the most menacing thing to jump out of the bushes here might be a deer or a rabbit. By the end of the two weeks he loved the walks, she added.

“He’d say, ‘Grandma, are we walking tonight?’ They would walk about a mile, which Christopher said he had never done before, so when they had walked about half a mile, he said, ‘Do you think we can grab a cab now?’” Mrs Ruddock said, laughing.

Annmarie, 8, stayed with Mimi and Paul Morin and their children Chelsea, Bethany, and Keira.

When asked what she liked best about the visit, Annmarie promptly replied, “Swimming lessons.” She also enjoyed the carnival. Visiting for the first time, Annmarie said she definitely wants to come back.

“It’s been a great two weeks,” Mrs Morin said.

Christopher, 11, stayed with Lisa and Tom Gissen and their children Teddy, Maura, and Susie.

His favorite experience was a trip to Vermont, where they visited Smugglers Notch and Stowe. Despite that, Mrs Gissen said he was also eager to get back to Newtown to go swimming. When asked if he would like to do this again next year, he nodded a definite yes.

“We would, too,” Mrs Gissen said. If the children’s winter vacations match, Mr and Mrs Gissen said they would like to take Christopher snowboarding.

Though it was Christopher’s first time away from his family, it worked out nicely, Mrs Gissen said.

“He’s an easy-going kid. He eased himself in smoothly,” she said. “I was amazed he was as adaptable as he was.”

 Steve and Laurie Clark and their children Lauren and Natalie hosted Katie, 8. She went swimming at Dickinson and Treadwell parks and Wolf Park in Monroe and learned how to roller blade. Katie’s favorite thing, however, was the St Rose Carnival. She had never been to a carnival before.

Mrs Clark said the visit was a very good experience. “The kids all bonded and had a good time together. It was really nice.”

For the fourth year, Michael, 9, was visiting Tracy and Peter VanBuskirk and their children Dana and Elisa. He was very excited about fishing and catching a sunfish. He and the VanBuskirks also went to Fairfield Beach, where the boys used a net to catch sea creatures. They also went to Lake Compounce.

Reggie, a second year visitor, stayed with David and Florencia Carter and their family.

“I liked bowling the best,” he said when asked his favorite activity of the two weeks. He also enjoyed a trip to Blockbuster for videos, the St Rose Carnival, and outings to Lake Quassapaug and Beardsley Zoo.

Since 1877, the Fresh Air Fund, a non-profit agency, has helped more than 1.6 million children to enjoy summer in the country. Host families can request a boy or a girl, as well as the approximate age of the child. There are no financial requirements to host a child.

Children on first-time visits are 6 to 12 years old and stay in hosts’ homes for two weeks. Reinvited youngsters may continue to visit through age 18.

Newtown families interested in giving a city child a two-week vacation in the country next summer should call Susan Dann at 790-1465 or the Fresh Air Fund at 800/367-0003.