Great Lakes Burn Camp

I got involved with GLBC through a good friend of mine and of the camp's. My husband and I helped set up a fundraiser motorcycle ride to fund the kids. That was about 8 years ago. Then I started volunteering in the kitchen during summer camp. It is a fabulous nonprofit. The best part is all of the money raised by fundraisers goes directly to the kids. Working with these kids is amazing. They can't wait to come to camp and don't want to leave at the end. You can see how much this means to these kids. Now after working there I feel the same way.

As a mother of a young burn survivor,GLBC was a life saver! When my daughter was burned 30 years ago, there was nothing in our area for burn survivors. Ten years later GLBC was formed,"praise God"! It's been 20 years and she's still go'es to every summer and winter camp.The staff are awesome people,and great mentors, and I'm proud to say my daughter is part of the GLBC family.

This organization and the people involved are dedicated to healing and growth of the children that have survived aife changing event such as being burnt. There are many needs and cost for such a camp to operate and yet this camp succeeds not by charging the family members, but by the many caring people throughout different communities doing fundraisers and providing donations. This is one camp and organization that you can believe they truly care.

Camp helped me heal from my burn injury. I met other people who had gone through the same things I had. Surgery, hospitalizations, and other things that are not a part of normal childhood. At camp I have made some of my closest friends. I look forward to coming back each year at winter and summer camp. Camp has even helped me go to college with a scholarship every semester.

Now serving as a counselor I think my role is even more rewarding. I love being able to give back to the campers. It brings me great joy to see my campers try new things. I love being able to share my story with them. I let them know that a burn injury will never define who you are.

As a young burn survivor I often felt that I was totally alone. Alone with my injury, alone with my scars, alone in my situation. Great Lakes Burn Camp helped me realize that I was not alone and allowed me to grow into a burn survivor and not stay a victim. I have been apart of GLBC for 20 years, as a camper and as staff. GLBC is a place is I was able to grow, laugh, and heal. I hope GLBC continues for many years to come.