Burn camp allows kids to 'just be normal'
All their expenses, including transportation to and from the Warren County camp, are paid by donors.Like many summer camps, this one, held since 1990, features fishing, archery, swimming, rafting and canoeing. It also offers camaraderie for children who have endured more than their share of physical and emotional pain.
"Here, they're just a kid," says Katie Schabell of Alexandria, a child life specialist at the hospital and one of 14 camp counselors, all but one of whom are hospital employees. "They don't worry about their burn injuries. They don't worry about their appearance. They get to hang out with other kids who've been through the same thing."
Some have small scars that are easily concealed. Others are missing fingers or ears. Some were burned over most of their body.
Joel, from the small Missouri town of Weaubleau, was just a year old when he slipped unnoticed out of his crib and grabbed the cord to a deep fryer. Hot grease scalded 30 percent of his body, including his head, chest and arms.
He removes his ever-present hat to show that after four head surgeries, he's sporting hair, although it's patchy. Both his arms are heavily scarred.
In public places, "A lot of people are almost afraid to talk to you or get near you," he says. "They think there's something wrong with you. It might be a skin disease, for all they know."
He and other campers don't shy away from discussing their injuries with new acquaintances.
"People ask what happened to me all the time," says Atarah Dickinson, a 16-year-old from Buffalo. "I don't mind talking about it. I would rather you ask me than to stare and whisper."
She was 5 years old when fire broke out in her bedroom. Trying to escape, she jumped from a top bunk bed into flames. Her mother rescued her, but more than 90 percent of the girl's body was burned. She's had about a dozen surgeries.
"I think she's coping very well," her father, Aterah Dickinson, says by phone. "The biggest thing we've been trying to instill in her is self-esteem, because it will get to a point in her life where people won't be so nice because she's not a kid anymore."
Schabell says the healing of young burn patients involves more than treating their physical wounds. Emotionally, some children struggle when they return home. Shriners Hospital arranges for children to go on a community outing before they are discharged, and the staff also helps ease their transition back to school.
Camp Kern Ohio - News
OREGONIA, Ohio - Before plunging into the pool at YMCA Camp Kern, a tall, athletic 14-year-old from Missouri explains why he's so happy to be here. "It's just the feeling of being normal," says Joel Stokes, wearing a hat and T-shirt that conceal some
They all have great football programs.” Kern is also hoping to impress at Purdue's camp Thursday then Northwestern and Boston College's next week. He's made it no secret that the Ohio native has grown up a Big Ten fan. “I don't think there's any
McNamara and Sudfeld bring the UA's 2012 recruiting class to four players; quarterback Josh Kern and offensive lineman Beau Boyster are the others. • UA quarterback Nick Foles and wide receiver Juron Criner were named Tuesday to the inaugural Pony
Arvo Mikkanen, of Oklahoma, to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma, vice Terry C. Kern, retired. Submitted February 3 Jennifer A. Di Toro, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the
Photo: Rick Bowmer / AP The Rio Bravo Hot Shots, of Kern County, Ca. work their there way up a trail to reach the fire line at the track fire northeast of Raton, NM, Friday, June 17, 2011. Along the New Mexico-Colorado border, the winds Thursday pushed
Camp kern » 40 Days for 100 More Kids!
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Camp Kern Ohio - Bookshelf
Hiking Ohio, A Guide to Ohio's Greatest Hiking Adventures
YMCA Camp Kern, Oregonia; (513) 932-3756; www.CampKern.org. Finding the trailhead: From 1-71 east of ... DeLorme: Ohio Atlas and Gazetteer: Page 75 A7. ...Programs for special populations
Camp Kern YMCA, Oregonia, Ohio The fact that a child has a disability or disease shouldn't mean that he or she is unable to enjoy many of the same ...Cincinnati Magazine
Camp Kern is very concerned about protecting its newfound archaeological treasure ... For an area so rich in wonders, Southern Ohio is curiously neglected, ...The Skit Book, 101 Skits from Kids
Variant: Girls return to camp after throwing "Pebbles" in the lake. ... Iowa, 32 , 33; Camp Indian Sands, Wis., 32; YMCA Wis., YMCA Camp Kern, Ohio, 34. ...Cincinnati Magazine
GO FISH Hammertown Lake at Jackson, Ohio, will be stocked with between 6000 and 10000 ... Enter Camp Kern land (Dayton YMCA) and wind along wooded hillside. ...Day-after-day News Directory
YMCA Camp Kern
Includes information on programs offered and financial assistance for camping.
YMCA Camp Kern - Directions
YMCA Camp Kern, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Dayton, is located on 525 beautiful acres in the Little Miami River Valley of Southwestern Ohio.
YMCA Camp Kern - Oregonia, OH
Camp Kern is located on 485 beautiful acres along the Little Miami River in Southwestern Ohio. We are a year-round camping facility offering programs in leadership ...
Rates & Reservations - Ozone Zipline Adventures at YMCA Camp Kern
YMCA Camp Kern, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Dayton, is located on 525 beautiful acres in the Little Miami River Valley of Southwestern Ohio.
Ozone Zipline Adventures at YMCA Camp Kern
Ozone Zipline Adventures at YMCA Camp Kern, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Dayton, is located on 525 beautiful acres in the Little Miami River Valley of Southwestern ...