INTRODUCTION

No other IFSA program has received greater attention from the fire service, medical community, general public and the media than has the summer camp for burned children. 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. The benefits to the campers -- physical, psychological, and emotional -- have been enough to inspire a long list of eager volunteers and contributors.

A recent IFSA Executive Board decision was unanimously approved to create a name for Burn Camp. Burn Camp will now be referred to as Camp "I Am Me".

This decision was made after a discussion with a young burn survivor at last year's camp. This camper commented that she was uncomfortable walking around with a tee shirt that stated Burn Camp on it. She further explained how one of the nice things about coming to the IFSA camp was being able to just be a kid, not a burn victim. This was the only time that kids like her were able to blend in and forget about the burn injuries.

It is also the intent of the IFSA to allow kids to be kids. It's an opportunity for them to spend time with other children and adults that are just like them. 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.

Well, it took this young camper's comments for us to realize that we were inadvertently placing label on the children that we were working hard to erase. So last year we asked campers to think of a name for camp. We had several of the typical camp names like Camp Friendship, Camp Courage, etc. Molly Schaller, a camper came up with the name "I Am Me." This turned out to be the unanimous decision.

Camp "I Am Me" describes what we want the camp experience to be; a place where children can come and be themselves. Of course it will take many of us several years to get used to saying Camp "I Am Me." We will still have to refer to IFSA Burn Camp for people that won't identify with the new name. When it comes to t-shirts and any other printed materials, it will have the new name.

Now just to clear up some additional information, try and follow this: Camp "I Am Me" will be the new name of the IFSA Burn Camp, which is held at YMCA Camp Duncan. Camp is held during the third week of June each year and Visitor's Day is on the Wednesday of that week.

MISSION

The mission of the IFSA Burn Camp is to provide a safe environment for children who have experienced significant burn injuries. It is our goal to provide a non-judgemental atmosphere in which children have the opportunity to build their self-esteem as they enjoy the varied activities that make up their camp experience.

A special and unforgettable summer camp experience for children and teenagers who have experienced injuries from burns is being offered by the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance.

Burn Camp provides the setting for burn survivors to share their common experiences while being able to play and not feel self conscious about what others may be thinking of their scars. Burn Camp provides campers with some of the best friends they will ever make. After camp, the children will continue on with their own lives but it will be different - they will have new friends and realize that they are not the only one with a burn injury.

THE ILLINOIS SAFETY ALLIANCE BURN CAMP IS STILL THE ONLY AMERICAN CAMPING ASSOCIATION (ACA) ACCREDITED BURN CAMP IN THE UNITED STATES!

WHAT GOOD IS IFSA BURN CAMP ACCREDITATION? ... Accreditation tell parents that the camp has had a regular, independent safety audit that goes beyond regulations in most states. It provides the parents with evidence that the camp has demonstrated their commitment to health and safety of their children. The American Camping Association standards are recognized by courts of law and government regulators as the standard of care for the camp industry. Because accreditation is voluntary, parents know the camp is committed to best practices.

TYPICAL WEEK AT CAMP

Most of us think of camp as a place. We think of nature, a peaceful lake, warm breezes, and campfires. IFSA Burn Camp “I Am Me” is held at YMCA Camp Duncan in Lake County, Illinois. YMCA Camp Duncan’s facility provides the setting for camp, but it is the people who make Camp “I Am Me”. Camp offers burn survivors the opportunity to share their experiences and play. It is a place where they do not have to be worried about what others may think of their scars.

There are many typical camp activities for our campers including: swimming, row boating, canoeing, fishing, archery, crafts, climbing tower, high ropes course, teams course, basketball, and volleyball. Two of the most popular activities are four square and horseback riding. Whenever our campers have free time they head for the four square game and challenge both campers and staff.

There is no cost to the children’s families. We even provide transportation to and from camp. We do this solely through donations we receive for Burn Camp and its prevention programs.

Our volunteers at camp come from all walks of life. Their outside careers stay outside while they dedicate an entire week to help make a difference in our young burn survivors’ lives.

Make plans to visit camp on Visitor’s Day, Wednesday, June 18th and see for yourself what a difference you have made.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The Burn Camp staff includes Camp Duncan counselors as well as doctors, nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and fire service personnel who volunteer their time at camp. The qualified staff participates in an orientation which is designed to prepare them to deal with the special needs of burn survivors as well as to build a cohesive team. Burn Camp provides a ratio of one counselor for every two campers, this insures for the proper care and safety of the campers. Click here for more information on volunteer opportunities.

COUNSELORS IN TRAINING

Our counselors in training follow a schedule that may be a little different than the rest of the camp at times. They attended a class "Teaching Skill Periods Dos and Don'ts" to prepare them for supervising campers. A local fire department sent an engine to camp, for the counselors in training to learn how they operate and they even had an opportunity to spray water with a hose line. First Aid and CPR are also part of the counselor in training program.

Ever wonder why a camper wants to be a CIT (Counselor-in-Training)? Click here to find out!

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES

Volunteering For My Heroes by Victoria Dudlo

My name is Victoria Dudlo and I am the Customer Service Manager for SLA in Romeoville. I started as a temporary customer service representative in Sept ’98 and was hired on full time in Feb ’99. Something that I have been committed to longer than Customer Service is volunteering for a one week overnight summer camp called Camp “I Am Me”. Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, a non –profit organization dedicated to fire safety and education, runs this annual camp. The mission of the IFSA Burn Camp is to provide a safe environment for children, ages 8 – 16, who have been hospitalized for their significant burn injuries. Often these burns were the result of neglect, abuse or carelessness. The campers are able to participate in a variety of camp activities without being self conscious about their scars. Some of these activities are crafts, teams course, high ropes, climbing wall, archery, fishing, swimming, boating and horseback riding. The camp is entirely run through donations and is staffed by volunteers, many of which are Fire Fighters, Nurses and Teachers.

I started volunteering at the camp in ’93 as the official camp photographer (my profession at the time) and also taught the children how to perform their own newscast, playing the roles of the reporter and cameraman. After a few summers I switched to the role of being a counselor. For the past two summers, I have been a Unit Leader, responsible for 5 cabins, campers and staff. I also head up the “Challenger Program,” a self evaluation program in which campers and staff choose a personal goal to work on in their lives.

The reason why I come back year after year to volunteer is because these children are my Heroes. They get up everyday having to face a world of people who judge them for their disfiguring burns. They are laughed at, stared at and sometimes called names. When I look at them, I see courage and inspiration. I do not think I would have the strength to go through all that they have. When I am having a tough day, I think of the children, and my problems become minimal. Over the years I have had the privilege to meet so many wonderful people at the camp. I have developed lasting friendships, and most special to me, I met my husband Richard (a Chicago Fire Fighter) at Burn Camp. We leave our three children for a week to try to make a difference in lives of other children. If you ask our children why Mommy and Daddy go to camp, they will answer “to give hugs to children that might not get them”. I am also grateful to SLA for donating part of my time at camp every year.

The definition of Hero is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and strength, champion: someone who fights for a cause. My definition is a Burn Survivor.

Letter to IFSA from Zakiyyah Jackson-Bey

July 25, 2007

The content of the letter I am writing is to tell my feelings, concerns, and to tell the impact Burn Camp “I Am Me” has had on my life. I started camp when I was fourteen years old. Camp gave me an experience about life that I haven’t experienced. At the age of fourteen I became more of a wiser, understanding, considerate, and loving person. I was able to view people in a totally different way no matter their religion, sex, race, nationality, or physical appearance. Camp has a variety of people whose physical appearance differs from others because of their burns. Being at camp made me appreciate my life and have an indescribable love for others.

After my first year as being a Counselor In Training I wasn’t able to return to camp because of college and I had to attend summer school. When I took a year off from camp I felt like something was missing in my life. I began to search for IFSA and found contact information so I could become a counselor. I wanted to give back to Burn Camp because I knew the impact it had on my life and I wanted to impact lives of other campers. I can truly say after orientation I found what was missing. At orientation I was reunited with my family and I was anxious to attend camp. When I arrived at camp and I was a counselor it was a big step of responsibility for me. I felt like a responsible role model. At that point in my life I had the “best of both worlds.” By being a camper and then a counselor I was able to relate to the campers better and I was able to communicate with former counselors on a different level.

When I am at Camp “I Am Me” it feels like I am in a different world with a family away from home. It’s a feeling and connection that others will not understand if they are not apart of the Camp I Am Me family. Words can not describe the love that we have for one another. When away from camp I think about the memories, view pictures, and talk to campers until we are reunited again for a magnificent experience.

Sincerely,

Zakiyyah Jackson-Bey

ELIGIBILITY

Burn Camp is open to children ages 8-16 who have experienced a burn injury requiring hospitalization in Illinois. Enrollment is subject to medical approval. Click here for a Camper Application.

DO YOU KNOW A BURN SURVIVOR?

If you know of a burn survivor (child between age 8-16) who would benefit from Burn Camp, and would like further information, or have questions about the Burn Camp call (847) 390-0911; or write the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, P.O. Box 911, Mount Prospect, IL 60056; or e-mail us at ifsa@ifsa.org.