Burn Camp 2013 has come and gone and I was lucky enough to be part of this amazing experience.

This year 72 kids from across British Columbia were brought to Camp Latona on Gambier Island.  This year in my cabin we had eight boys aged six to 10, with four returnees and four new campers.

The campers all have one thing in common; they are all burn survivors who have spent some time in a burn unit.  The camper’s burn injuries have occurred from many different causes.  There are campers who have been burned by hot liquids, electricity, campfires, structure fires and other means.

The leading cause of burns to the campers seems to be from hot liquids and the majority of these could have easily been prevented.  Hot liquid scalds can come from hot water from the tap, spills from coffee pots, crockpots and hot liquids in mugs.  A small amount of hot liquid can do severe damage to young children as their skin is four times more sensitive than an adult.

Burn Camp provides the campers with an opportunity to interact with other kids who have gone through similar traumatic experiences.  It allows them to connect with others and provides a refuge where they can just be kids and not have to worry about their scars.  It is evident that some new campers are uncomfortable showing their scars at the start of camp; however, by the end of camp they have no worries about them.

The camp gives the kids an opportunity to work on the emotional healing that is very necessary with such injuries.  It provides the kids with a support network that they can rely on for years to come. The campers and counsellors form a close-knit group and liken it to a second family.

At camp the campers take part in challenging activities such as obstacle courses, zip lines, as well as low and high rope challenges.  These activities are meant to push the campers past their comfort zone and help build trust and confidence.  It is amazing to see the kids and how they improve at these challenges every year.

While taking part in these activities the campers are split up into groups of boys and girls aged six to 18.  This allows the kids to interact with many different individuals of all ages.  While at camp the kids are kept quite busy but there is lots of time for them to hang out with their old friends and to make new friends.

Camp activities such as hip hop dancing, self-defense training, cheerleading and skit night are encouraged as they are fun activities for all.  The weather held out this year and most of our down time was spent swimming and fishing in the ocean.  The highlight for many campers and counsellors this year was the cruise ship that was rented for our annual dance.  We had the chance to tour the harbour while dancing the night away.

Burn camp is a truly uplifting experience and it puts one’s life into perspective, I feel blessed that I am able to partake each year.

Many burn injuries are preventable; whether caused by electricity, candles, hot liquids, camp fires or playing with flammable substances, most burns can been easily prevented with a little education or parental supervision.  Fire prevention/burn awareness are very important subjects that all families should discuss with their children and it is important to eliminate the opportunity for children to misuse fire.

For more information on fire prevention/burn awareness please visit burnfund.org or call the Cranbrook Fire department at 250-426-2325.

Please take the time to watch the “Too hot for tots” video at burnfund.org .

Murray Robertson

Local Burn Fund Rep

Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services

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