Camp Frees Kids From Summer in the City : Youths discover a fun-filled adventure that gives them hope and builds self-esteem.

Do kids need camp? Oh, come on.

Think back to your own first experience in the country--under the stars in a universe of giant trees and noisy insects. The sound of water lapping against a pier. The smell of pine or hay or a musty cabin. The taste of food cooked over a campfire.

It might have been the first time you realized how big the world is--and how small but resilient you were within it.

Now imagine you’re a kid in a cramped apartment on an urban street. You live without much hope, food or fun. You don’t complain because you’ve rarely seen kids (except on TV) who have more than you do. You’ve hardly been out of your neighborhood.

And you have to deal with chronic asthma or a physical limitation.

Would a week of fun, food, sports, crafts and new friends mean something to you? Does the world care that you crave some kid-style excitement before you have to grow up?

For 45 years, the Times Summer Camp Fund has been sending underprivileged Southern California kids to summer camps, thanks to contributions from readers and employees. Donations are fully spent on children because The Times pays administrative costs, and the Bank of America provides accounting services for the fund.

But does it make a difference to the 300,000 kids who have attended camp since 1954? Here’s what some kids--at camps supported by the fund--wrote:

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“Don’t say kids don’t want adventure. NO! You should say we need adventure in our lives,” exhorted a blind 9-year-old.

Added Matthew, 10: “Camp Bloomfield is a great place because here I forget that I have no vision. I’m just like everyone else when I climb the wall, ride horses and swim. I get the whole experience.” Matthew said that his counselor Brett “is a friend, and since we are both blind, we understand where each other is coming from.”

For Cameron, who is blind, “Climbing the wall makes me feel like I can accomplish things.”

And from Cindy, 12, who has also no sight: “I love being in nature, in the mountains, with the wildlife. Lizards, rabbits, squirrels. I love to ride Justin, my favorite horse. My friends show me around and help me when I need it. At Camp Bloomfield, I am just another kid. This is my best summer ever, and I won’t forget it.”

Derek, 11, wrote about SCAMP camp, a special camp for children with asthma: “Camp Marston in Julian is high in the mountains. There is lots of great medical people to help us. We hiked, canoed, did archery and riflery. Best of all, we climbed a 62-foot tower . . . and every kid there had asthma like me.”

Crystal, who has asthma, wrote: “We had asthma ed, which . . . was very interesting. I also went on the high ropes, hiked up a very large hill and enjoyed the campfires at night. The staff and doctors work hard to keep us breathing. . . .”

Robert’s asthma didn’t daunt him, either: “I canoed with Sloppy Joe, and it was awesome. I also went wall climbing, played basketball, hiked in the San Bernardino Mountains and swam in a lake that was very cold. I got some fresh air.”

Chris wrote: “Thank you for helping me with my hard breathing. I really appreciate it. I also want to thank you for the Frisbee. I play with it a lot. P.S. I really enjoyed camp.”

Amber attended a Boys & Girls Club camp. She says she’ll most remember the people: “The friends I met and the adults. They were very kind and caring.”

For some kids, the food’s the thing: “They also had great food that I thought wasn’t going to taste so good, but it was quite enjoyable,” writes D’Janay, who adds almost as an afterthought, “the camp was enjoyable also.”

And there are those looking forward to the idea:

“I have never been in a real cabin,” one youngster wrote. “This is going to be my very first time ever in a cabin.”

“I would not have to ever worry about getting in trouble,” said an 11-year-old girl. “Also, I don’t really have anyone to play with except boys.”

And from Kell, 7, anticipation is high: “I will be sleeping outside. And going swimming. I will be packing my bags, and that will be fun. I will be gone five days.”