Burn Camp - Alice Lake

My article for VCH News:

My love of making jewellery inspired me to volunteer at the 15th annual BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund Camp for kids on July 24th. The camp is near Alice Lake, just north of Squamish and is funded by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, many local corporations, foundations and individuals.
The cost for a child to attend the camp is approximately $3000. The ratio of children to counsellors at the camp is 2:1 or 1:1. Counsellors come from many walks of life, some are nurses, some are firefighters some are just people who are passionate about giving their time to the courageous kids at the camp.
Tracey Taulu, trauma program manager, and I set up a jewelry station to teach kids how to crochet with wire and beads. What surprised me most was that our first customers were the boys at the camp. The counsellors were also into making necklaces. Let me tell you, watching a 200 pound, big, burly firefighter, crocheting and helping his young burn survivor is really cool.
By the end of the day, several kids had come by our station wearing their necklaces and bracelets with pride. Seeing kids smiling, and hearing them laugh and just be themselves is what life is all about.
This year, 73 kids attended camp. These kids have braved experiences that many adults haven't experienced and it was truly amazing to have the opportunity to see these kids have the opportunity to just be kids.
During the course of the day I talked to Lois Budd, medical coordinator for the camp, and patient services manager, BCPFF Burn, Plastic and Trauma Unit, VGH, about how the kids feel about camp. She said, “Once camp is over, the kids start planning for next year’s camp the very next day. And when kids turn 18, they are given the opportunity to come back as junior counsellors to be mentor younger burn survivors.”
As for me, I left the camp exhausted, in a good way, and truly amazed to see the happiness of the campers and the dedication of the counsellors. I’ve already started planning some activities that I could do with the kids next year, so I guess it is not just the kids who start planning their return.
Get involvedVisit the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund Camp for kids website
(Photo Caption: Tracey Taulu, Patient Services Manager, Trauma Services, and 8 year old Julia, just finished making a necklace.) I post the caption shortly