The International Association of Fire Fighters; signature event, the International Burn Camp, is held annually just outside of Washington, D.C. This week-long camp and leadership summit provides a life-changing experience for burn survivors aged 14-16 and the dedicated camp counselors who strive to make a difference in their lives. The camp helps teenage burn survivors realize they are not alone and that a larger support network is available to them.
The IAFF collaborates with over 50 regional burn camps across the U.S. and Canada to select campers and counselors who exhibit good citizenship among their peers and display leadership skills. At the end of their summer camps, each participating camp nominates a camper and counselor to attend the IAFF camp together.
The volunteer staff, comprised of IAFF fire fighters, burn nurses, and behavioral health specialists, focuses on helping the young attendees recognize the leadership and strength they already exhibit in their lives as they navigate high school and begin to think about college and careers.
This year, Camp I Am Me camper Maddie and counselor Alyssa attended:
“Maddie and I had an INCREDIBLE time at IAFF! The campus at Camp Wabanna in Maryland was both welcoming and stunning, and the staff was equally great. We met the most amazing and impressive people-both campers and mentors from all over the US and Canada! It was so sweet to be able to witness Maddie make friends with everybody she met.
The entire week was focused on leadership and becoming a leader-much like the Strive to Thrive Young Adult Summit at our Camp! There was quite a bit of leadership activities and opportunities to learn and grow. We also really enjoyed the sightseeing-like the Smithsonian museums, Mount Vernon, the Naval Academy, and Arlington National Cemetery.
Getting to know other survivors and firefighters was so special and made me feel so grateful to be in this community! We are so grateful to be provided this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to represent Camp I Am Me! We both had a hard time leaving at the end of the week, but I can say we both made some incredibly special lifelong friends at this camp.”