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. It became incorporated in 1912 as Middletown-Goshen Convalescent Children's Home. The current campgrounds were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Corbett in 1928 as tribute to their son who had died from tuberculosis at an early age. Their vision was that youngsters have the pleasure of spacious living. In the mid 1930's Braeside became a non-profit dedicated to providing an authentic, enriching, and educational overnight camp experience for children in the Orange County NY area. We are now a 509a(2), similar to a 501c(3), nonprofit charity organization.

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. Regular fundraisers are planned by our Director and Fundraising Committee with the support of community members and alumni. 

Since its inception, Braeside Camp has had a tremendous impact on the community. This is evidenced by strong partnerships with the Department of Social Services, Orange County Youth Bureau, Summer Food Service Program, Middletown Schools, Kiwanis Clubs, Rotary Clubs, DYSON, Warwick Savings, local donors, alumni, campers, and staff lasting decades. 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. 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. Together we have been able to able to provide for those who could not otherwise afford such an experience.

Braeside has also served as a venue for adolescents to enhance their work skills and begin to form career paths. In 2016, we began working with the Orange County Summer Youth Employment Program. A continuation of services already set in the foundation that Braeside had established, we have been able to impact the community on a larger scale. Thanks to the 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 called Warrior Moms to form a continuation of services and to empower the women and children of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster County.