About Us

A vision that began in 1896

In 1896, Ida Dukes saw children in her community growing up in hardship and decided to act. Partnering with Christian Endeavor, she organized a one-day outing to National Park along the Delaware River—an experiment in joy that worked. Kids laughed, played, and tasted a different kind of summer.

By 1911, Ida was bringing groups of children to Wildwood. In 1913, local entrepreneur Henry Otten joined her, helping purchase a small bayfront home. A decade later, he issued a challenge: he would fund half the cost of a permanent home if Ida could raise the rest. She did. For $30,000, they built the Children’s Fresh Air Home in North Wildwood, modeled after Otten’s own boardwalk hotel.

A legacy of volunteers and community

When Ida passed away in 1937, leadership passed to Myra Loring, who served as Superintendent for 50 years while also working as a teacher and principal. The elementary school where she taught was later named in her honor.

After Myra, Kris and Laura Perkins led the Home for another 14 years, and today an all-volunteer board continues to carry the mission forward.

Rebuilding for the next generation

In 2006, structural damage forced the Home to close. Instead of walking away, the board launched the Century Campaign—a long-term commitment to restore and reopen the Home.

While construction moved forward in phases, the If Just For A Day program began in 2012, bringing children back to the grounds for beach days, barbecues, and their first glimpses of the ocean. More than 200 children were served each summer.