Travel

The Cayman Islands Helps Kids Get ‘Fresh Air’ This Summer

NEW YORK – This summer marks the third year of a very special, successful partnership between The Fresh Air Fund, the Cayman Islands, and Cayman Airways. New York City-based kids, ranging in age from 10-12, will stay with Grand Cayman host families July 27th to August 2nd, experiencing some of the most distinctive and engaging activities the Caribbean has to offer.

With the partnership commencing in June 2007 to commemorate the launch of Cayman Airways’ non-stop route service from New York’s JFK Airport to Grand Cayman, the destination has now been able to provide fresh Caymanian air to more than 25 youngsters.

The Fresh Air Fund is an independent, not-for-profit agency that has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. The Fresh Air Fund adolescents headed down to Cayman were selected by the organization once again this year, based on their achievements, their willingness to succeed, and their history with the organization. The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism has been working closely with The Fresh Air Fund to prepare all who are involved for the trip ahead.

“The Cayman Islands is very happy to continue this strong partnership with an organization so beloved by New Yorkers,” said Acting Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands Mr. Shomari Scott. “The Caymanian community is excited to welcome a new group of children this summer and we look forward to showing them the many wonderful activities and attractions on-island. The goal is to help these children experience and appreciate the unique culture and heritage of the Cayman Islands while having the vacation of a lifetime amidst the sunshine and clear blue waters.”

This summer awaiting the kids are the safe, friendly, adventure-filled white sand beaches and the colorful under water paradise of the Cayman Islands. The Fresh Air Fund kids will enjoy a week in Cayman experiencing the fun and interactive attractions including Skate Cayman, a brand new internationally recognized skate camp, Stingray City, Boatswain’s Beach, Pedro St. James ‘Castle’, and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, where they will encounter the rare and endangered indigenous Blue Iguana. The group will kayak through the mangroves, snorkel in Cayman’s pristine waters, and even have the opportunity to take a day-trip to Little Cayman.

During the evenings, the children will be able to get a real sense of Caymanian hospitality, from family life to cooking traditional dinners. The Cayman Islands is looking forward to sharing all of these special experiences with this year’s group of Fresh Air Fund kids.

THE FRESH AIR FUND, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Nearly 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually.

In 2007, close to 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. 3,000 children also attended five Fresh Air camps on a 2,300-acre site in Fishkill, New York. The Fund’s year-round camping program serves an additional 2,000 young people each year.

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