NEW YORK, NY July 02, 2009 —Busloads of city kids headed off for a free two-week summer vacation in the country. This year, the Fresh Air Fund is sending close to 5000 children to stay with host families along the eastern seaboard.

REPORTER: Fresh Air Director Jenny Morgenthau says the kids tell her they enjoy all the perks of being in the country.

MORGENTHAU: You know they get to go barefoot, they get to -- I know this sounds silly -- but they get to see stars. And you know in New York City you can't see stars 'cause it's never dark.

REPORTER:The Fund says it's provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million kids since it started in 1877.