Being a first time host family for the Fresh Air Fund, my husband Mark and I weren’t sure how things would go opening our home to a child from the city for a week. We just knew that the opportunity to share New Hampshire with a youngster who’d never been away from home was too good to pass up.
After a thorough application process, background check, home visit and interview process, we were approved and scheduled to receive two fourth-grade boys for one week. The day before arrival, we learned that one boy had withdrawn from the trip. Let the adventure begin!
Jacky, a shy Chinese-American 10 year old, got off the bus in Peterborough weary, battling motion sickness and worried (he told me later) that it would be a “hard” experience. He’d just said goodbye to his brother, Michael, in Nashua, who was matched with another family for the week.
After the first tearful night and communication with Mom, we hoped the worst was over. Saturday morning, we had breakfast, bought him a sweatshirt for the unseasonably chilly weather, and made our way to the Peterborough Players for “Miss Nelson is Missing.” By the end of the play, he had a huge smile on his face. Yes, the worst had passed.
The rest of the week with us, he learned to fish, including putting the worm on and taking the fish off the hook (he caught 20 fish!). He picked blueberries, baked cookies and made meatballs for the first time; he worked on his swimming and bike riding skills, he made a friend at the pond, and so much more!
Thanks to local businesses, we used discount coupons from Toadstool to buy him books, Ava Marie’s for ice cream and took advantage of free admission at the Mariposa Museum and the Friendly Farm.
As empty-nesters, we wondered if not having other children in the house would make things more challenging. It absolutely did not. In fact, as the oldest of three, Jacky loved being the only child in the house. He fully enjoyed having a room and bathroom of his own, and the full attention of two adults for an entire week. The boy we put on the bus a week later was happy, confident and not at all ready to go home.
As soon as he arrived home, he called to let us know. Later than evening, he texted to tell us he missed us, and to tell us we did really well for first time Fresh Air parents! We returned the compliment. His mother has invited us to come to Brooklyn to visit.
Next year Jacky will be eligible to come for two weeks and we’re looking forward to having him back. We may even invite a second child next year — he will be able to show him the ropes. We encourage all Peterborough families to consider the Fresh Air Fund hosting experience next summer. It’s a life-changer for all concerned.
If you’d like more information, check out the website: www.freshair.org.
Karen Hatcher lives in Peterborough.