YOUNG ERIC AT THE PIANO: He may be only nine but he’s a whiz at the piano. Eric has come from his home in Brooklyn to stay with the Alena family in Lawrenceville as part of the Fresh Air Fund program. He plays for William and Emily Alena as their mother Minda looks on. Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children who visit host families in rural, suburban and small town communities like Princeton and Lawrenceville. (Photo by L. Arntzenius)

Opening one’s home to kids from the city, can have unexpected consequences. Hearts and minds are opened too. Take Minda Alena and her family.

Ms. Alena and her husband Bill had been thinking about ways to give back to the community when they saw a pull-out insert in The New York Times about the Fresh Air Fund and its Volunteer Host Family Program. After finding out more, the couple felt that it would fit well with their family. They have a son, William, now 8, and a daughter Emily, now 6. “We were entranced by the concept and have found it to be a wonderful experience for everyone,” says Minda. “We would like to get the word out about the Fresh Air Fund. I don’t know why more families aren’t doing this.

This is the second year that the family has been visited by Eric, who comes from Brooklyn. Now nine, and with memories of last year’s visit, especially a day trip with the family to Hershey Park, Eric is perfectly at home. He knows exactly where to hang up his tennis racket on his way into the house after returning from day camp with William and Emily. The three children rush indoors with chatter about their day’s activities to share. The hot craft at summer camp this year seems to be “Rainbow Looming” and Eric, Emily and William have lots of examples to display.

Eric and William have favorite configurations for the small colorful elastic bands that are twisted into bands and rings. There’s the “fishtale,” the “zigzag trail,” and the “box.”

While here, Eric goes with Emily and William to a summer camp at the Trenton Country Club where some favorite activities are swimming (he just passed the deep end test and is all set to tackle the diving board next) and golf. “I like learning new things and meeting new people,” he says.

Eric’s 11-year old sister Diamond and 13-year old brother Paul are also on vacation in the country as part of the Fresh Air Fund program. Last year, Eric learned to swim here in the family’s pool and he loves tennis.

“It’s amazing to see how Eric has grown in maturity since last year,” says Minda. “He is very musical and we enjoy listening to him play the piano, especially at breakfast time, when he plays for us all. He has a band with his brother and sister,” she says. “Having him here definitely enriches all our lives.”

Neither William nor Emily, who both attend Lawrenceville Elementary School, plays an instrument (as yet) and are clearly captivated by Eric’s skill. Currently William’s favorite activities are sports-related: football, wrestling and Lacrosse; Emily loves cheerleading, gymnastics and ballet.

The family is also planning a few day trips this year to Six Flags to the New Jersey Shore and locally to Terhune Orchards (always a big favorite).

Eric arrived at Princeton Junction along with a bus load of some two dozen inner New York City kids on July 30, to spend one or two weeks with volunteer host families in the area. Hosts are located in Cranbury, Chesterfield, Trenton, Furlong, Princeton, Princeton Junction, Clarksburg, Manalapan, Villanova, Fair Haven, Lawrenceville, Manahawkin, Middletown, West Windsor, and Allentown.

The children, aged from six to 18, were greeted by balloons and brightly colored posters with their names writ large. Some were meeting host families for the first time. About two thirds of the group were, like Eric, returning to families they had visited before.

The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Each year, over 4,000 children visit volunteer host families in rural, suburban and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.

For many volunteer families, participation becomes a regular part of summer and the visiting children become cherished family members. Not only do city kids experience suburban or country living, an experience that can have a profound impact, host families have a chance to interact across cultural and socioeconomic divides.

For Princeton residents Elizabeth and Jonathan Erickson, this will be their fifth year hosting Cieanna, now 12, who comes from the Bronx. They also have three children: Alexandra, 11, and twins Edward and William, 9. Their favorite activities are swimming, playing outside, and biking.

Ms. Erickson urges others to take part in the program which she describes as extremely rewarding for all.

Minda Alena couldn’t agree more. “The time will pass all to quickly,” she says. Eric will go home, August 9. But before that there is much to be enjoyed. Right now, he’s having so much fun that he says he doesn’t have time to count the days. Instead, he has to get ready for a pool party. Ah summer! That’s how it should be.