Did you know that, nationwide, a child dies everyday due to injuries sustained in a fire? The CDC reported in 2013 that over 125,000 children were treated for burns within the hospital setting. Fifty-percent of fireworks related injuries in 2014 were to persons under the age of 20.
Did you know that there are a group of dedicated volunteers- firefighters, nurses, therapists and more - that work to help these children every summer, so that they may experience a normal camp experience? For one week every summer, Kids Burn Camp at Camp Manitou-Lin allows these children a "safe and nurturing place to share their feelings and experiences."
Bob, Don and Jay are in lead volunteers during Burn Camp.
Children are referred to this life changing camp by burn centers around the state of Michigan. Kids ages 7-17 spend the week doing traditional camp activities- such as swimming, hiking, horseback riding and more - surrounded by their peers who have gone through similar experiences. Through sponsor donations from around the state, children referred to the camp are eligible to attend this camp completely free of charge.
In 2016, Gluten-Free Overnight Camp shared the premises with this amazing ministry and group of volunteers. In reality, our two groups have so much in common. We both struggle with feeling like our health issues can leave us feeling like outsiders. In a world of bullying, the camp character trait of "inclusion" means so much for both groups.
Kids Burn Camp has additional experiences throughout the course of the week, which includes a dance party and ice cream social. KBC invited the gluten-free campers to join them for a night that many will never forget. As the evening came to a close, the DJ ended the evening with the song "Lean On Me." There were kids, shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm, singing "Call on me Brother, when You need a Friend." Whether our disabilities are visible or invisible, we all need support.
To learn more about Kids Burn Camp, contact Camp Manitou-Lin at 1.888.909.2267 or on their website at grymcacml.org. You can also follow the KBC Facebook page for more info.
