About Us

Braeside Camp began in 1896 as New York Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund Camp.  Braeside was initially a "home" for children to come to the great outdoors to recover from tuberculosis, and it became incorporated in 1912. The current campgrounds were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Corbett in 1928 as tribute to their son who had died at an early age. Their vision was that youngsters have the pleasure of spacious living. In the mid 1930’s it became a non-profit and was dedicated to providing an authentic, enriching and educational overnight camp experience for kids in the Orange County NY area.     

Braeside aims to provide disadvantaged children with a summer camp experience that they may not otherwise be able to afford by providing scholarships based on income. Funds are established through contributions from individuals, families, businesses and community partners. Annual fundraisers are planned by our Fundraiser Committee and have been supported by community members and alumni. Braeside has collaborated with the Department of Social Services to reach vulnerable children and families that are in foster care, at risk for placement and/or are in financial distress. Braeside has also partnered up with local schools and service providers and together have been able to sponsor children in need to attend summer camp. The Board of Directors oversees organizational operations and funds to ensure proper distribution occurs. 

 At present time, with partners such the Orange County Youth Bureau, DYSON, Summer Food Service Program and local donors Braeside has been able to dedicate especially to those that could not otherwise afford such an experience.  Since inception, Braeside Camp has had a tremendous impact on the community. This is evidenced by the strong partnerships with the DSS, community partners/service providers, alumni campers and staff that it has been able to maintain. The organization has provided campers with an opportunity to have a memorable experience while providing them with programming that exposes them to activities that allow for profound developmental growth. It has also served as a venue for youth to enhance their skills and often form their career paths. A continuation of services, to the already set foundation that Braeside had established, Braeside was  able to impact the community on a larger scale. 

Thanks to the newly created  Fund for Women and Children in 2018, Braeside Camp was able to continue to impact the most vulnerable members of our community by creating a program, off camp season, to form a continuation of services and to empower the women and children of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster county. This program was called Warrior Moms.   

We have instituted a gardening program as a way to provide valuable education lessons in nutrition to our children who have a very limited dietary and nutritional skillset. With a collaboration with Cornell Cooperative and Master Gardeners programs volunteers are open to coming in every Tuesday to assist in the integration of fresh grown foods to our daily lives.  In 2019, Braeside initiated Faith's Kind Paw in partnership with Ruby & Friends. Faith's Kind Paw Camp is a fun humane character educational based program specifically designed to teach campers about proper care, dog bite prevention, age appropriate animal issues and kindness for all living things.