2016 Community Benefit Report CHAI_160088756_2016 Community Benefit Report_FIN - | Page 13

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO
Burn Camp Fosters Healing
“One day, coming back from a hike, a young camper said, ‘I didn’t know there were
other kids who had been burned before,’” says Joey Kaufman, 24, who has worked
at the Cheley Children’s Hospital Colorado Burn Camp the past three summers.
“This camper thought she was alone and isolated in her situation. Now because of
camp, she knows there are other kids who have gone through similar experiences,
and that she’s perfect the way she is.”
Children’s Colorado’s Burn Camp was the first residential burn camp nationwide.
Thirty-four years later, it remains the premier burn camp in the country. Thanks
to donations, grants and the partnership between Cheley Colorado Camps and
Children’s Colorado, 70 to 85 children recovering from burn injuries nationwide
enjoy a weeklong summer camp adventure in Estes Park each summer at no cost.
One of the campers, Jon, 11, who is going on his
fifth year of attending camp, was nervous about
riding a horse for the first time, Joey recounts.
But once he gained the confidence, horseback
riding became one of his favorite activities.
“Kids in these situations feel limited by their
injuries,” says Joey. “We want to help young
adults and kids grow outside of their burn
injuries. Creating a community of other kids with
shared experiences makes this possible.”
Summer Burn Camp is one of multiple programs run by the Children’s Colorado
Burn Camps Program to support burn survivors in their recovery. Other programs
include winter teen ski camp, a young adult retreat and family camp.
“Burn injuries are not like many other injuries. If you break your arm,
it typically heals and you move on,” says Trudy Boulter, Burn Camp
director. “That’s not the case for a child who sustains a burn
injury. These injuries can have a lifelong impact on the
child and the family. The trauma of the injury is often a
difficult journey, both emotionally and physically.”
The goal of Burn Camp is to support kids all the
way through wellness, creating opportunities
for survivors to share their stories and push
themselves beyond what they thought was
possible. Activities include hiking,
mountain biking, camping, challenge
courses, horseback riding, mountain
climbing, fishing, crafts, archery
and swimming.
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