Central Virginia Burn Camp
1960 Candlewyck Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434)263-6566  fax ( 434) 982-040
cvbc1999@yahoo.com
www.vaburncamp.org

Leslie Baruch  
(434) 971-9298
LRD6F@virginia.edu   

HIGHLIGHTS FROM CAMP 2004

Oh what a day, we came to play, we’re all here at Burn Camp in Central VA.  The food is good, the games are fun, the firefighters in Virginia are number ONE ! “. 

Once again, the verses of our camp song echoed through the dining hall and at the campfires as over 30 campers, 23 counselors and a support staff of 11 joined together for a week of summer fun.  Can you believe it has already been 6 months since Burn Camp2004? My, how time flies.  This was our 11^th year of Burn Camp, and every year seems to get better and better! 

The theme for this past year was “Under the Sea”, and the activities that we did were great. The highlight of the week was the trip to Norfolk, including the museum, lunch cruise on the Spirit of Norfolk, the water park and seafood dinner.  At camp, the “sandy” beach party with the campfire

the talk by National Geographic journalist Donovan Webster, craft projects like beading, leather work and shadow boxes, Kelli Ann’s graduation cake, the HUGE Slip and Slide and the open house carnival (thanks to the tremendous support of ACBC), and the talent show (with even funnier and “grosser” skits than usual). We tried to pack as many activities into the week as possible.  

Many thanks to Mason and “The Fire Fighter” cooks who made the best meals. We never went hungry.

We had a GREAT group of campers this year, and a tremendously dedicated Counselor Staff. We can’t thank all the counselors and staff enough for volunteering their time and for their hard work during the week.  We certainly hope that all counselors, staff and CAMPERS plan to join us again next summer for another week of fun.  Also a huge thank you to all of our friends and financial supporters. Camp is supported entirely by donations, and without you, there would not be a Central Virginia Burn Camp!

We hope everyone is doing well in school.

We are already planning for camp next year. See you in 6 months, June 18 – 25, 2005!

Love, Leslie, Tim, Bill and Kim

Dr. Albert Schweitzer said:

“Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown into flame by an encounter with another human being.  Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.”

Here’s hoping that the Central Virginia Burn Camp has made a difference to those whose lives we have touched, and you will all continue to have you inner light kindled.  
                      

  Golf Tournament a Success!

The Virginia Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association held a golf tournament in Richmond in September. A LARGE check was presented to CVBC at the conclusion of the tournament.  Many thanks to the members and supporters of this Association!

The Metamorphosis
By Colleen McCroskey, OTS
CVBC 2004 counselor

Like the 6 year old who gazed at the cloud in the sky and called it “wolf,”

I surveyed your face, stared, and called it “scarred.”

Like the 3 year old who observed the same cloud and renamed it “bunny,”

I skimmed over your face a few days later, forgot to see the scars, and renamed you “beautiful.”

Like these children can see the same thing in two different ways,

CVBC Winter Camp

Calling all CVBC teenage campers!  If you were a camper with us this past summer, and are between the ages of 13 – 17, you are invited to join us for our winter camp program.  This year’s dates are February 18 – 20^th, and the location is Norfolk.  If you are eligible to attend, you will soon receive an application and more information in the mail.  Counselors from the summer 2004 camp will receive an application to attend as well.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

International Association of Burn Camps Conference

The International Association of Burn Camps was developed to provide a network for burn camps.  The association helps to oversee that burn camps provide quality programs that support the physical, social and psychological needs of burn survivors.  The Central Virginia Burn Camp is a member of this Association.  Every two years the IABC sponsors a conference that the leadership from burn camps all over the USA, Canada and England attend.

This past October, Tim, Leslie, Bill and Kim traveled to Nova Scotia, Canada, for the IABC Conference.

We attended sessions including “Crisis Intervention Training for Camp Counselors”, and “Super Tools for Outstanding Camps”.  We were able to tour the city of Halifax by land and by sea (all on the same vehicle!) and enjoyed networking and meeting others who share the same passion we have for burn camp leadership and programming.  We look forward to attending the next IABC conference in Denver Colorado in 2006.

National Burn Camp highlights

The International Association of Firefighters sponsors a camp for 1 week each year.  This camp is held in Washington, DC. Burn camps from across the country are invited to send one of their teenage campers, along with a firefighter, for a week of fun, touring and friendship.  This year, camper Dwayne Jones had the opportunity to attend this camp, along with Prince William firefighter Bill King..   

Dwayne’s Report
.
International Burn Camp was the best.  It was definitely the experience of a lifetime. We went everywhere and did everything.  I had a great time playing basketball with Bill the first night at the 4H center where we stayed.  I really enjoyed the Air and Space museum, and the monuments were great.  My favorite monument was one called the “Awakening”.  I have lots of great memories, but the one I like best has to do with being at the Capitol. You see, we ate breakfast there and listened to this guy talk.  Then he told us to all blow up our paper bags and pop them.  Boy, did we drive the security guards crazy with that!  Now the Capitol won’t allow paper bags in the building anymore!!.

Thoughts from Bill King

First off, I have to thank Leslie and Tim for letting Dwayne and me represent Central Virginia Burn Camp at this years IAFF National Burn Camp.  We got to spend an entire week with campers and counselors from other burn camps from all over the U.S. and Canada.  Ideas were exchanged and lifelong friendships forged in such a short amount of time.  We managed to stuff a month’s worth of sightseeing into one week.  It reminds me of the day or two at CVBC when we have to get up early and catch the buses and go on our tour then head back to camp and arrive late at night and everyone is exhausted…except this is continuous for a week! 

  After breakfast on Sunday we boarded the buses and the sightseeing began.  We started with the World War II Memorial then the Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Jefferson Memorials.  The Natural History and American History Museums were visited after we toured the Awakening.  Dwayne ”The Player” lost his wallet, but luckily we found it before the buses departed for fire station 5 in Arlington.  The firefighters had dinner waiting for us, as well as, a rock wall and other activities.  We departed the fire house and headed for a night tour of the Lincoln Memorial followed up by the Korean and Vietnam War memorials.  We ended up back at the 4H center around 11p.m.

    Monday’s breakfast was followed by a tour of Ford’s Theatre.  The Air and Space Museum was next along with some lunch.  We toured Union Station and got to do some shopping before boarding the buses for the Spy Museum.  After the tour we walked to the Hard Rock Café for dinner.  Back to 4H and lights out at 11p.m.

      Tuesday we had breakfast at the Capitol.  Man, do those politicians know how to eat?!  We took pictures with Rescue 1 then we toured the Capitol.  Lunch was at Union Station then we headed back to 4H to change for swimming.  The pool was at the Navy Medical Center where we stayed for two hours before heading back to 4H to change for dinner.  Dinner was at Benihana of Tokyo, which was awesome!  Back to 4H for some sleep.

      After breakfast on Wednesday we headed for Mount Vernon and got to lay a wreath at George Washington’s grave.  After the tour we had lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn.  We departed for Arlington National Cemetery and got to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and witness the Changing of the Guard.  We departed for the Iwo Jima Memorial and after viewing we headed to Centreville for Mini-golf and arcade games.  We had dinner at the arcade then headed back to 4H for lights out at 11p.m.

      Thursday started the same with breakfast at 7a.m.  We visited the White House Visitor’s Center then walked over to the White House for the tour.  We did not see the President but we did see his dog!  We then went to the Reagan Building for a tour and lunch.  The National Archives were our last stop before heading back to 4H and preparing for the evening’s festivities.  We had a dinner banquet which proved to be very emotional for everyone in attendance.  A Comedian/Swordswallower by the name of Johnny Fox followed the banquet. He left everyone in the place in stitches.  We all headed back to our rooms to pack up for the final day.

      Friday’s breakfast was followed with a tour of the National Zoo.  We ate lunch at the zoo and said our goodbyes to all the friends we had met.  Dwayne and I were also the last to depart and had a two hour drive to contemplate all that had transpired during the previous week.

      I had a terrific time and wish it didn’t have to end so soon.  I wish all of our counselors have a chance to attend at some point.  Thanks again for the opportunity you have given me and if you ever need someone to fill in at the last minute let me know!

Noteworthy News

 * Congratulations to Brian Witcher on the birth of his son, Jacob Issac Witcher on Dec.4, 2004.

* Leslie Baruch has been awarded the Virginia Occupational Therapy award of merit, the highest award the association gives, for outstanding contributions in the field of OT.  She was recognized as a national expert in the area of burn rehabilitation and for her role in the CVBC.

* Tim Wright recently spoke at the International Burn Camp Workshop’s 9/11 Memorial Service and Commemorative Dedication, representing USA firefighters.  He spoke about “The United States Fire Service, Today, 3 Years Later”.

  * Dave Borowski, CVBC participant and founder and Executive Director of the Flicker Of Hope Foundation (www.flickerofhope.org), an organization dedicated to the support of burn survivors, is publishing his life story to serve as an inspiration to fellow burn survivors.  He intends to provide the book at no charge to children who attend burn camps.  On A Ring And A Prayer details how he managed to live a life of significant accomplishment despite experiencing the physical ravages of fire.  It is principally designed for young adults, although comments from all those who have read it indicate that it is inspirational to all.  All proceeds from commercial sales of the book will go to Flicker Of Hope Foundation to provide career training, scholarships and other support to burn survivors.

THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS

Fire Fighter Locals who cooked at camp:

1. Chesapeake

2. Chesterfield Co.

3. Bristol

4. Charlottesville

5. Suffolk

6. Henrico

7. Fairfax Co.

A very large thank you to all of our friends and supporters for the 2004 camp season:

ACBC  - Curtis and Renee Stilwell and Mark Stone
Old Dominion Professional Firefighters Burn Foundation
VA Professional Firefighters
Norfolk Professional Firefighters
Suffolk Professional Firefighters–United Way  
VA Chapter of American Fire Sprinkler Assoc. 
VA Department of Forestry
Central VA Emergency Nurses Assoc.
Red Knights of Virginia
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Summers
The Brody Family
Mr. Terrell Brown
Ben Franklin Crafts
Swiss American – Elta Products
Congregation Beth Israel
Bellapalooza
Smith and Nephew - Jobst