Burn Camp a place kids can just be kids

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Sabrina Shafer stands next to one of the fire engines at the Minooka Fire Station with the certificate she received in recognition of her donation for Burn Camp. (Herald Photo by Heidi Terry-Litchfield)

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MINOOKA – Half of the proceeds 10-year-old Sabrina Shafer earned through her summer of selling cookies will go to the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance annual burn camp.

Bob Payne, an IFSA representative who accepted Sabrina’s $300 donation Wednesday night  said burn camp is held at a YMCA facility for a week each summer. Burn survivors between the ages of 8 and 16, who have been hospitalized for their burns, are eligible to attend  the camp free of charge.

“All the children go for free,” Payne said. “It’s seven days, all-inclusive, including horseback riding, swimming, swim lessons, fishing, and a climbing tower.”

He said if the families are unable to get the child to camp, transportation is also provided free of charge.

The facility is staffed completely by volunteers.

“Volunteers include firemen, retired firemen, teachers, and social workers,” he said. “They all stay the entire week.”

“A medical staff, including a doctor and nurses, is on site 24/7,” Payne added.

Payne said children come from all over Illinois, and for many it is the highlight of their year.

Burn Camp provides the setting for burn survivors to share their common experiences while being able to play and not feel self conscious about their scars. According to the IFSA Web site, “It’s an opportunity for them to spend time with other children and adults that are just like them.”

“It is also the intent of the safety alliance to allow kids to be kids,” Payne said.

The Web site continues on to say, “It is always interesting to see the children show up on the first day of camp with their long sleeve shirts and long pants, even though it’s 90 degrees in the shade. As the week goes on, you can see the campers wearing shorts, tee shirts, and swimming suits.

“This is one of the most obvious signs that camp is allowing kids to be just another kid. For one week a year, they don’t have to worry about people starring or being different.”

For more information on Burn Camp – Camp “I am Me” – visit www.ifsa.org

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