After four years in the making, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance served as host to the International Association of Burn Camps 15th Workshop. Originally scheduled to be held in 2020, the event was delayed as a result of the pandemic and was finally able to be held August 26-29.
The conference was held at the Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca and welcomed over 70 burn camp professionals, volunteers, and burn survivors from 18 burn camps across the country for networking, education, and comradery.
The first day of workshop programming after an IFSA welcome included Power of Camp & Power of Connection, Rehearse your Response, Camp & Fundraising, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, and Camp Community Building Activities. The Chicago-based American Burn Association also provided an association update, the IABC conducted a business meeting, and Camp “I Am Me” volunteers lead energizers and camp songs!
The evening activity included dinner from IFSA-supporters, Mission BBQ, and a two hour performance from Camp “I Am Me” enthusiast, Jon Stetson, “America’s Master Mentalist!” A big shout out to BluSky Restoration & 1-800-BoardUp of Rolling Meadows for use of their facilities!
The second day of the event continued with more great camp content. Presentations included The 5 Critical Activities of Camp Health Services, Diversity in Camping, Energizers & Camp Songs, The Role of Camp in Recovery and Resiliency Building and a presentation from Camp I Am Me’s very own, Kelly McElligott, on Being Therapeutic at Camp without being a Therapist.
The evening concluded with bowling, pizza, networking, and lots of hugs as the conference came to a conclusion. The IFSA was honored to host this conference and was so pleased that all attendees found it to be beneficial.
A special thanks to Chicago Water & Fire Restoration for shuttling arriving conference attendees from O’Hare Airport to the resort.