26th annual Camp Celebrate set for May 18-20 at Camp Kanata in Wake Forest

May 9, 2007 

26th annual Camp Celebrate set for May 18-20 at Camp Kanata in Wake Forest

CHAPEL HILL – Camp Celebrate, the first camp in the United States for children who have survived burn injury, will meet for the 26th time May 18-20 at Camp Kanata in Wake Forest, N.C.
     
Camp Celebrate is a weekend camping experience for children and adolescents who have survived burn injury, most of whom have been treated at the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals. Started in 1982 as the first of its kind in the United States, and possibly in the world, Camp Celebrate is a unique therapeutic experience designed to enhance each camper’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth. Volunteers from across the state, including firefighters and Jaycees, join the Burn Center staff in providing the campers a fun and enriching experience.
     
Imagine the sight and sounds of 40 fire trucks, with sirens wailing, and the smiling faces of children peeking through the windows as the fire trucks wind their way from the Triangle Town Center Mall in Raleigh to Camp Kanata in Wake Forest. The occasion? The annual Fire Truck Parade is the kickoff for Camp Celebrate. Camp Celebrate provides a therapeutic, educational and recreational adventure through which the child can learn new and necessary skills while having fun in a supportive setting.
     
Since 1982, when the very first camp for burned children celebrated the presence of just 14 campers, Camp Celebrate has continued to expand. This year about 55 children and teenagers ages 7-15 years old are expected to attend. A new offering will be the Counselor in Training mentorship program for young burn survivors ages 16-18 years old.  The camp is currently staffed by more than 50 volunteers from the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center, UNC Hospitals, local fire departments, the North Carolina Jaycees, and various other interested organizations and individuals. The large number of campers who return year after year proves the success of these efforts. It is a truism that once a child comes to camp, she or he will return the following year! In fact, many campers return as adults, serving as counselors and sharing their experiences, knowledge, and emotions with the children.
     
An overall focus on therapeutic outcome-based programming has led to the development of the Children’s Aftercare Program, which includes expansion of multiple programs for children and teens of all ages. Part of this program will be the first Teen Adventure Weekend in the Fall of 2007 and a Counselor in Training (CIT) program for teen survivors aged 16-18 years old as part of Camp Celebrate. In this way, the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center aims to meet the goal of serving children and teens through all stages of growth, development, and needs. The CIT program is based on an application process to facilitate responsibility and personal growth for those participating.
     
Planning Camp Celebrate is a year-round project that involves the efforts of many different people. The planning committee consists of professionals in recreational therapy, nursing, rehabilitation counseling, education and other related fields. It also includes representatives from interested community groups including Jaycees, firefighters, and rescue personnel. They are responsible for developing and implementing the camp's many educational and recreational experiences. These experiences include swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, horseback riding, fishing, sports, climbing, outdoor education, airplane rides, and the annual Sunday afternoon family picnic.
     
Camp organizers depend upon the support of many individuals, businesses, and civic organizations to help make Camp Celebrate a success, and there are many ways to get involved. We are especially looking for caring individuals who can make a commitment to be a counselor for the entire weekend. Additional fire and rescue vehicles are always welcome to participate in the parade. If you have a specific talent, skill, or idea that may be appropriate for our camp we would love to hear from you.
     
For more information, please contact Jessica Irven, Children’s Aftercare Program Coordinator with the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center, at (919) 966-8539.

ABOUT UNC HEALTH CARE
The UNC Health Care System is a not-for-profit integrated health care system owned by the state of North Carolina and based in Chapel Hill. It exists to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina and to provide state-of-the-art patient care. UNC Health Care is comprised of UNC Hospitals, ranked consistently among the best medical centers in the country; the UNC School of Medicine, a nationally eminent research institution; community practices; home health and hospice services in seven central North Carolina counties; and Rex Healthcare and its provider network in Wake County.