Impressed. That’s how we feel after our first in-person event in over 6 months. We’ve partnered for several years with North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center to participate in events they put on for pediatric burn survivors and their families. Burn Aftercare Coordinator Michele Barr has been creating dynamic programming to support the well-being and resilience of patients for over 30 years. We’re proud to be part of it.

This weekend was Camp Celebrate for ages 7-18 held at YMCA Camp Kanata. Normally a multi-day overnight camp, they had to adjust their plan due to Covid like so many others. Kanata Director Ryan Eves and his team have been safely running socially distanced day and family camps all summer so it was a perfect venue for the event. 

Kanata’s spacious, open air gym, and safety conscious staff created a setting that was both playful and safe. We taught everyone in small groups. Each pod had both Kanata staff and NC Burn Center volunteers that moved and played along with the campers. We found out later that the volunteers came from a variety of backgrounds. Some were nurses that had treated the patients years prior, some were parents, and others had been past patients/campers themselves. 

We talk about strategies for becoming more resilient in our sessions, but this inspiring community lives it.