Spotlight

Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp is a five-day summer camp that accepts children ages six to 16 who have suffered severe burn injuries or traumatic injuries causing scarring and disfigurements. It began in 1999 and is held every August at Dry Gulch USA, in Pryor, Okla.

The camp is a place of unconditional love and acceptance, where scars do not limit future goals and successes. It’s a place where children who have suffered tragic accidents can be normal kids. Campers participate in team-building activities, visit animal parks, go on fishing trips, engage in lake activities, kayak, watch movies, enjoy family time and participate in an awards ceremony.

The camp was founded by firefighters, police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and adult burn supervisors. Volunteers from these same groups make up the team of camp organizers and staff. The camp has a remarkable one-to-one camper to counselor ratio. And, former campers are invited to come back and serve as volunteers or counselors, creating a family-like atmosphere where many of these kids become lifelong friends.

Today, the organization supports burn survivors in other ways as well, including the Fitzpatrick Scholarship Fund, which helps former campers reach their higher education goals. The organization also helps fund an annual spring retreat in the Tulsa area for young adult burn survivors from around the country through the Wise Foundation. In addition, each year the organization funds educational trips around the country for current and former campers.
Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization made up of an exclusively volunteer staff. No one is paid and many put their own money into the organization to make it possible.

To learn more about the organization and how you can help, visit okffburncamp.org