Burn survivors build confidence at camp

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It's a summer camp much like any other: Children ride horses, splash each other with paddles in canoes and crowd around the Ping-Pong table.

But the children at Camp Nah Nah Mah -- named for the Ute words "friendship" and "togetherness" -- are kids who have survived burns. They bear scars that forever will remind them of their experiences and set them apart from others.

The goal of the four-day "burn camp" is to show burn survivors that different is not always bad, and that scars don't have to be hidden from the world.

"It's a fun place," says 12-year-old R.J. Raven, who is at his fifth camp. He touches the ridges of his scar across his chest as he talks."I get to hang out and make friends with people like me. I wouldn't change what happened -- this is too much fun."

Brad Wiggins, who works in the burn unit at University of Utah hospital, started volunteering for burn camps 18 years ago. Then, the only offering for young survivors was a river trip for 12-18 year-olds. Eleven years ago, Wiggins and firefighter Ron Fife began a camp specifically for 6-12 year-olds that introduces them to counseling and other survivors at an early age.

"The world doesn't have a pleasant view of burn victims," Wiggins says. "This is a safe place where they can feel comfortable."

Hosting a burn camp requires a complex pooling of resources, but many people and organizations come through year after year. The Professional Fire Fighters of Utah cover the cost of running the camp. The Boy Scouts of America's Great Salt Lake Council charges a nominal fee and relinquishes its facilities at Camp Tracy for a few days every summer. Various fire departments around the state take turns cooking meals for the 36 campers. Many others, including health care professionals and firefighters, volunteer as camp chaperones.

"To me, it's not volunteering," says Sharee Rosqvist, a West Jordan firefighter. "As a firefighter, we go on calls, bring kids to the hospital and never see them again. It's a different aspect to see them healing. It doesn't take anything away from me to go out and play with these kids all week. They've always given me more than I've given them."

At Camp Nah Nah Mah, the staff emphasizes that campers are not "burn victims" but "burn survivors." Burn camp participants are encouraged to try new things, such as scuba diving, archery or yoga, and gain confidence. Group counseling sessions teach them to be comfortable with their scars and to live in a world of awkward stares and rude questions.

Often, their experiences at burn camp lead children to try things they otherwise might not have done. Alyson Sabin, a former camper who is now a counselor-in-training, participated in beauty pageants after her time at burn camp.

"When I was first burned, I felt like I was the only one," Sabin says. "I used to wear all long sleeves to cover up. Burn camp helped me from hiding my scars, and talking to other people like me gave me the confidence to wear a swimsuit."

Camp veterans such as Kaden Wardle keep coming back for the friends and fun. His experiences at burn camp make him think of becoming a counselor one day.

"That would be cool," the 11-year-old says. "I like helping new people and letting them know they have a friend. You can be different, but it's not bad."