Camp Junior, Tuxedo, NY

For many families across New York City, particularly in the Bronx, the pursuit of a safe, enriching, and affordable summer experience for their children is a crucial mission. Camp Junior, a dedicated residential camp nestled in the vast wilderness of Harriman State Park in Southfields, NY, stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity. Operating in partnership with The Fresh Air Fund and New York State Parks, Camp Junior was specifically created in 2019 to honor the memory of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, a 15-year-old victim of gang violence whose tragic death galvanized the community.

This is more than just a typical summer camp; it is a profound community resource, designed to provide a safe and supportive environment where children aged 8 to 15 from targeted Bronx neighborhoods can escape the pressures of urban life. The mission is clear: to offer youth a pathway to brighter futures by focusing on anti-violence education, personal development, and the transformative power of the outdoors. Camp Junior provides a "home away from home," allowing campers to "be themselves" and explore new skills—from kayaking to chess—with supportive counselors who often come from similar backgrounds. The feedback from the community underscores its impact: one parent review summarizes the sentiment perfectly, noting it is a "Great place for kids to have fun outside of New York City." It is a testament to the camp’s success in fostering confidence and a sense of belonging in every child who steps off the bus.

Camp Junior’s location is one of its most critical assets, offering a rustic and therapeutic environment that is logistically feasible for New York City families.

Location and Accessibility

Camp Junior is situated in the scenic and expansive Harriman State Park in Orange County, NY, on a section known as the Top of the Pines location on Lake Tiorati.

The address is generally listed within the region of:

Southfields, NY 10975, USA

The camp’s position within the 47,500-acre wilderness of Harriman State Park ensures an authentic natural experience, with dense woods, hiking trails, and the tranquil lake visible from many parts of the 40-acre property. For the campers, who are predominantly from the Bronx, the approximately hour-long bus ride from the city is deliberately managed by The Fresh Air Fund and its partners. Accessibility is seamless for the families it serves; transportation is provided, directly addressing the common barrier of getting urban youth to remote camps. The strategic location is far enough to feel like a true escape—a place for a child to be at peace with nature—yet close enough to be easily managed by the administering organizations. This close proximity, while being a world away in atmosphere, is paramount to its success, turning a deteriorated youth camp facility into a safe, engaging, and transformative retreat for hundreds of children each summer.

The programs at Camp Junior are meticulously designed to blend the traditional joys of summer camping with targeted life skills and positive youth development, particularly focusing on the unique challenges faced by inner-city youth.

Services Offered

Free Residential Summer Camp: Provides fully subsidized, multi-week sleepaway camp experiences for eligible Bronx youth, ages 8-15.
Outdoor Adventure and Recreation: Offers activities such as swimming lessons, kayaking, boating, archery, hiking, and sports in a natural park setting.
Creative and Skill-Building Classes: Includes structured instruction in areas like photography, chess, art, music, dance, and creative writing.
Anti-Violence and Anti-Gang Education: Incorporates specific lessons and mentorship focused on promoting positive behavior, social-emotional learning, and offering alternatives to gang involvement.
High Ropes and Low Ropes Courses: Facilitates challenge activities designed to build trust, teamwork, and self-confidence, helping campers overcome fears.
Year-Round Engagement: Provides ongoing support and connection through off-season activities like Life Skills workshops, Running Clubs, and special family events held both in the Bronx and at the camp site.
Healthcare and Support: Maintains a staff of nurses and an infirmary for 24-hour medical care and support in a safe environment.

The distinctive elements of Camp Junior are woven into its history, mission, and setting, making it stand out as a premier youth development resource in the New York area.

Features / Highlights

Legacy of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz: The camp is dedicated in Junior's memory, providing a positive, lasting legacy that directly addresses the need for safe spaces for Bronx youth.
Partnership and Funding: It is a collaboration between The Fresh Air Fund, New York State Parks, the Bronx Borough President's Office, and Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, backed by a significant investment to revitalize the facility.
Harriman State Park Setting: Located on 40 acres in the expansive state park wilderness, it offers a truly restorative natural environment for children to disconnect from urban stress.
Focus on Confidence and Resilience: Program surveys indicate a strong impact, with a high percentage of campers reporting they gained important skills, were more open to trying new things, and felt more comfortable in new environments.
Rustic Accommodations: Campers live in traditional, rustic wooden cabins with electricity and nearby bathhouses featuring indoor plumbing, maintaining a traditional summer camp feel.
Dedicated Mentorship: The staff, including Fresh Air Fund alumni and counselors from similar community backgrounds, serve as positive role models, helping campers to "feel heard" and advocate for themselves.

Contact Information

Address:

Southfields, NY 10975, USA (Located in Harriman State Park at the Top of the Pines/Lake Tiorati area)

Phone:

For application and general program information regarding Camp Junior, which is operated by The Fresh Air Fund, interested New York residents should use the Fund's central contact information for summer programs:

The Fresh Air Fund: 800-367-0003 or 212-897-8900

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Camp Junior is an essential institution for New York locals, particularly those in the Bronx community. Its core value proposition is the provision of a free, high-quality, and deeply impactful sleepaway camp experience that is fundamentally linked to safety and opportunity. For parents, the knowledge that their child is not just having fun, but also learning anti-gang and anti-violence skills, developing self-confidence on a high-ropes course, and connecting with nature in a safe, mentored setting is invaluable. The one-of-a-kind partnership between a respected non-profit like The Fresh Air Fund and New York State Parks ensures both professional operation and long-term sustainability. The commitment to providing year-round support, keeping youth engaged and connected to positive influences even after the summer ends, makes Camp Junior a holistic community asset. It is a place that turns a tragic memory into a powerful, living legacy, offering New York's young people a chance to redefine their future and realize their full potential away from the daily stresses of the city. For any eligible New York City family seeking a transformative summer camp experience, Camp Junior is a top-tier choice that promises growth, friendship, and a genuine, fun-filled escape.