AUGUSTA — The Central Maine and Greater Casco Bay committees will welcome dozens of children from New York City on July 7 to spend one or two weeks with volunteer host families in Maine. 

Host families share their summers for up to two weeks with Fresh Air children, ages 7 to 18, who will leave behind the city streets to run barefoot in the grass or see the stars at night. Some children are leaving home for the first time, while others are returning to visit the same host families for consecutive summers.

Twenty-two New York City children will arrive at 4 p.m. in Auburn to spend one or two weeks with volunteer host families in Norway, Cape Elizabeth, Auburn, Casco, Rumford, Brunswick, Raymond, Portland, Bridgton, Naples, Greenwood, Mexico, South Paris, Hartford, New Gloucester and Center Lovell.

Tammy Bilodeau, Fresh Air Fund volunteer, will interview local host families who are interested in hosting a Fresh Air child. 

Thirteen children will arrive at 5 p.m. in Augusta to stay with host families in Friendship, Wilton, Monmouth, Farmingdale, North Haven, Readfield, Wayne, Nobleboro, Warren, Belgrade and Gardiner.

Susan Brooks, Fresh Air Fund volunteer, will interview local host families in Augusta.