Arriving in town on a hot summer day were children from New York City, stepping down from the coach bus under a blue sky. Joining families from Newtown and nearby towns on Monday, July 30, were city children eager to start their summer visit.

Happy to see the friend she made last summer was 8-year-old Lia Spremullo of Newtown, who wrapped her arms around Kayla, also 8. Like a handful of other children quickly collecting their bags from the bus - some reuniting with families, and others visiting for the first time - Kayla's trip to Newtown for the week was made possible through The Fresh Air Fund.

"Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has unlocked the limitless potential of more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities. Each year, thousands of children enjoy outdoor summer adventures through visits with volunteer host families along the East Coast and Southern Canada and at The Fund's five overnight camps in Fishkill, NY. Fresh Air children also participate in year-round leadership and educational programs," according to freshair.org.

Toting a big yellow smiley-face balloon, Lia greeted Kayla, and the two quickly ran off for the car.

Dave Benore and Cayenne Spremullo-Benore welcomed Kayla into their home for the second year in a row this week, and by Tuesday afternoon, Ms Spremullo-Benore was already snapping pictures of the two girls playing on a trampoline under a sprinkler.

Ms Spremullo-Benore, parked at Christ the King Lutheran Church several minutes before the bus arrived, said that her daughter had wanted to see Kayla again this summer.

When her husband was growing up, his family had hosted Fresh Air children, Ms Spremullo-Benore said, so she and Mr Benore talked about doing the same thing. Remembering last year, she said, "It was fun for all."

Last year, the four of them had visited Quassy Amusement Park and camped in the Catskills. The family took Kayla swimming, fishing, and biking.

"I was impressed with Kayla last year. She was brave. She tried everything," Ms Spremullo-Benore said. She was certain that Kayla was trying things, such as bike riding, for the first time.

The family last year had visited Ferris Creamery, where cows roam the farmland just past the parking area of the popular Sugar Street ice cream stand.

"Kayla was awestruck by the cows," Ms Spremullo-Benore said.

Last year, Kayla grew more comfortable with her surroundings in her temporary home as the week went on. Ms Spremullo-Benore again mentioned how brave it was for a then 7-year-old to venture far from home to "a completely different place."

This year, the family anticipates doing more of the same activities and also some crafts and pottery. But what she recalls Kayla liking the best was simply playing in the backyard.

Also waiting in the church lot for the Fresh Air visitors was Robin O'Neill and her son Sean, 13, from Fairfield. The O'Neills were waiting for Harry to step off the bus.

"Sean is definitely looking forward to having his friend back this summer," Ms O'Neill said. The two mothers agreed that having a companion was a good experience for both Lia and Sean, who are only children.

Sean could learn about sharing his things and his space, his mother said. Ms Spremullo-Benore agreed and added that spending time with someone new would teach the children about other people's lives.

Another pair of Fresh Air friends in Newtown can be found in the Courtney George and John Knagg household as they and their daughter Alexandra again welcome Bella, 12. She will be visiting for her sixth summer.

"Every summer when Bella returns, it feels like a family member is visiting," Ms George said. During her summer visits, Bella joins the George/Knagg family as they swim at Jennings Beach, visit Block Island, and enjoy the rides at the local fair.