PLAISTOW, N.H. — Hanging in the backyard pool, time at the beach, and plenty of fresh air — it’s the stuff that kids’ summer vacation dreams are made of. 

But for young people who live in low-income, inner-city neighborhoods, those typical summer pastimes may stay just that — a dream.

That’s where the Fresh Air Fund comes in.

The program, established in 1877, matches low-income city children with suburban volunteer host families for a free summer vacation. Children in the Fresh Air Fund are first matched with a host family between the ages of 6 and 12, and then may return to that family, if they are invited back, until they are 18.

A yearly tradition 

As part of the program, a Plaistow, N.H. family will host a child from New York City this month for the third summer in a row. Eight-year-old Marcus will spend two weeks with the Lavanga family, doubling the length of his stay for the last two years. Michele Lavanga said the family will spend their time at the beach, lounging by a lake and taking dips in the family pool.

“We look forward to seeing him every year,” Lavanga said. “The kids get excited when he comes. We talk to him throughout the year, send Christmas presents, Easter stuff, birthday gifts.”

The Lavangas got involved with the Fresh Air Fund in 2013, after learning about the experience from 9-year-old Olivia Lavanga’s teacher, who hosted a child for many years. From the start, Marcus was a good fit with the Lavangas.

“I felt like my kids really liked him, and my kids don’t open up to a lot of children,” Lavanga said, referring to Olivia and her 7-year-old brother, Patrick. “He completely fit into our home right away.”

The Fresh Air Fund, established in 1877, was started by a pastor from New York who was transferred to a church in Pennsylvania. Seeing the difference between the the congested city and a small town, he started the fund as a way to literally get the kids some fresh air. The program, which now sends children as far south as Virginia and as far north as Canada, works with about 4,000 children per year.

Jenny Morgenthau, executive director of the fund, called it “educational in the broadest sense.”

“I think that if you speak to young children, they tend to be very animated and talk about swimming being their favorite activity and meeting new friends,” Morgenthau said. “If you speak to adults, they talk about how important it was to (the kids) and it made them feel special. … It was good for their self esteem and worldview and to see other areas of the country.”

His first summer, Marcus was excited by simple things the Lavangas did on a daily basis — like going for bike rides after dinner.

“He couldn’t believe my kids had bikes,” Lavanga said. “I think he’s very at peace when he’s here because there’s no hustle and bustle. … For us, it’s a very relaxing summer.”

While the Lavangas don’t plan on hosting another child when Marcus’ visits stop, other hosts, like Karen Elwood of Nashua, have taken in new children every few years. Since 1985, Elwood, the regional director of the Merrimack River Area for the fund, has hosted 21 children.

“Having three kids, it was just a nice way…for my children to learn not everyone lives how they live,” Elwood said, though her children have now grown up. “And it’s fun to see them come back year after year and you pick up right where you left off,” she added, “like they never left.”

Morgenthau said the Fresh Air Fund is always looking for new volunteers. Those interested in learning about the program can call Elwood at 603-718-5035.

Keira Blessing of The Eagle-Tribune reported this story.