Summer Camp Helps Child Burn Victims
But, it's not your average summer camp. It's a camp for child burn victims.
It's the sound of freedom for kids who are headed to summer camp, like Cheyenne Streib who was burned in a gas grille accident five years ago.
"The grill exploded and lit my socks on fire, and I ran so it went all of the way up to my legs," said Cheyenne. And, I was in the hospital for 6 months and then I was in a burn suit for 2 years."
When the bus pulled out of Firestation 2 and headed towards Camp Amigo, Cheyenne was excited to meet other children who know exactly what its like to be a burn survivor.
"You get to learn about how they've been burnt, and what they've been through and they get to learn the same about you," said Cheyenne.
Adjusting to life as a burn survivor can be difficult, and that's why camp organizers say it's important for them to be able to go to Camp Amigo.
"When a child is burned like that and has burns over 30 or 40 or 50 or 60 percent of their body, they have some issues being able to acclimate back into the community, and it gives them the opportunity at Camp Amigo to be out there with other burn survivors," said Gator Fire Council President Scotty Taylor.
Some of the campers have been attending Camp Amigo for years now, and say they don't plan on stopping anytime soon
"It's kind of painful how you get to come here but, it's a fun experience and I really enjoy it," said Shilah Carroll, burn victim.
Camp Amigo is free for the campers. It costs about $500 per child to run the camp. For the 38 campers from Gainesville, their fee is paid for by proceeds from the annual Gator Fire Council Firefighters Ball.
Related Stories
- Summer Camp Enrollment Down
- Summer Camp Reaches Out to Kids with Cancer
- MDA Summer Camp Shifts To North Central Florida
- A Special Summer Camp...
- UF's Summer Band Camp Canceled After Money Disagreement
- Burn Victim Shares Story
- Burning Plants Down To Help Them Sprout Back Up
- Motorcylists Ride To Raise Money For Child Abuse Victims
- Accused Child Molester Attacked by Victim's Family
- Family Honors Child, Helps Community
