Bay Area kids are healing and making connections at a special summer camp designed for young burn survivors. Camp Hopetáke, a week-long sleepaway camp, provides a safe space for kids between the ages of 8 and 17 to share their stories and build confidence together.
Local Support
The camp is completely free to all the kids, with local firefighters and nurses running the program. Camp Hopetáke director Alex Canasi, a Tampa Fire Rescue firefighter-paramedic, said, ‘We just tell the parents, if you can get them there, we’ll take care of the rest.’
One camper, 14-year-old Rayana Byrd, has been attending the camp for about five years. She suffered burns on roughly 30% of her body when she was eight years old and has been coming to the camp to build confidence and connect with others who have gone through similar experiences.
Emotional Healing
Local firefighters and nurses witness the emotional healing firsthand. Ashley Rowe, a clinical nurse and burn program coordinator at the TGH Burn Center, said, ‘Some kids arrive at camp hiding their scars under long clothing. But as they connect with peers who share similar experiences, they build the confidence to start wearing what they want.’
The camp also serves as a gentle warning ahead of the July 4 holiday, with several campers having been injured by fireworks. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, burns are typically the most common fireworks injury, representing 37% of all emergency room visits.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
