Camp within a Camp: A Unique Experience for Burn Survivors

Abstract

Burn Camp experiences help young burn survivors overcome obstacles with body image and low self-esteem due to scarring. Our Burn Center sees few children ages seven to seventeen, the ages normally participating in a camping experience. Since we have low numbers, it is not reasonable to reserve an entire camp for a week. If we offer experiences at existing burn camps, some families would have to travel more than eight hours to get their child to camp, which most families neither have the time or resources to do. In response, we explored and provided an alternate experience to traditional burn camp. Five years ago, an agreement was made with an established centrally located camp to provide camping experiences for burn survivors age seven to fifteen. The agreement allows the burn survivor camp to run in tandem with another camp, alleviating the problem of not having enough campers to fill an entire camp. We are responsible for the burn camp curriculum which focuses on self-esteem building, while the other campers engage in Christian study. Everyone comes together for meals and activities. The ages of the burn survivors and other campers are the same, allowing all to blend together. The camp staff is shared. Transportation to and from camp is provided.