A group of 40 pediatric burn survivors attended Baton Rouge General’s Camp Catahoula recently. The week-long camp, held in Lawrence, Miss., provides summer fun like swimming, fishing, and games along with the chance for burn survivors to share their experiences with other survivors.
Camp Catahoula is staffed by volunteers from Baton Rouge General -- doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and even a chef – as well as the Baton Rouge Fire Department, Louisiana State Police, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and Brothers Keepers, a firefighters’ motorcycle club. Parents of young burn survivors and adult burn survivors also volunteer at the camp, which is free for the kids to attend.
“It is rewarding to see the campers’ excitement as they interact with other children recovering from burn injuries,” said Tracee Short, MD, burn surgeon and medical director of BRG’s Regional Burn Center. “To feel supported and comfortable around other burn survivors who have faced the same trauma and who carry similar scars truly aids in their emotional healing.”
Campers will enjoy an action-packed week, including karaoke, a Christmas in July day, yoga, cooking, team relay games and an obstacle course. They’ll also have the chance to do arts and crafts, and join in various small groups for sharing their stories.
Several organizations support the BRG Foundation by raising funds to send local children to Camp Catahoula without any expense to their families, with Shell as the primary sponsor. Other supporters include AT&T, Baton Rouge Fire Department, Baton Rouge State Fair Foundation, Brother’s Keepers, Cenla Roadrunners, E.J. and Marjorie B. Ourso Family Foundation, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Louisiana State Police, Professional Firefighters Association of Louisiana, The Vision 21 Foundation, many adult burn survivors, and current and former staff.