Little Heroes Preschool Burn Camp

by Jim Doucette, Storyline: Burn Survivors RSS Feed


This coming Friday October the 1st the Firefighters Burn Institute will be holding its third annual, “Little Heroes Preschool Burn Camp”. The Little Heroes Preschool Burn Camp was developed for Burn Survivor’s ages 3 to 6 years old and their caregiver(s). This unique 3-day burn camp focuses on providing skills to help participants cope with the physical and emotional challenges associated with burn recovery. For preschoolers, the program provides children the opportunity to socialize with other burn survivors and participate in recovery activities specifically designed for their age group. Parallel adult sessions provide education and support for the child’s caregiver(s) and siblings.

Burns are obviously a very serious type of injury and these kids have special needs. Their families have the same needs, and the camp is an excellent opportunity for everyone involved to learn more about how to live with these serious injuries. But the camp isn’t only about learning! There are a lot of activities that everyone will enjoy! Obviously most kids go to camp to have fun, and this camp is no different!


This year we have over 15 Burn Survivor children and their families attending. Most of the children who will be attending are coming from Mexico. Sadly, they were part of the tragic fire that occurred in the daycare facility in Hermosillo back in June of 2009. Over 40 toddlers and infants were killed in that horrible fire. Some of the children who survived were treated at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento. Because of this tragedy the Firefighters Burn Institute will be working with individuals from Mexico who would like to start their own Burn Foundation.


The camp is staffed by volunteers that include Firefighters and staff from the Shriners Hospital for Children and the Firefighters Burn Institute. The camp is completely funded by the Firefighters Burn Institute. The children who attend are encouraged to attend our “Firefighters Burn Camp” in Lake Tahoe, CA. The “Firefighters Burn Camp” usually has about 60 Burn Survivors who attend. They come from here in Northern California and from as far away as China and Switzerland!


You can be a friend of the Firefighters Burn Institute on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (ffburninstitute). Our website is www.ffburn.org, Shrinershq.org