The Burn Camp Becomes Camp I Am Me

The Illinois Burn Camp Becomes Camp I Am Me

No other IFSA program has received greater attention from the fire service, medical community, general public and the media than the Illinois 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.