Welcome

Our model

The Children’s Hospital Colorado Burn Camps Program is an American Camp Association accredited suite of programs structured to meet the rehabilitative and psychosocial needs of children who have sustained a burn injury. We were the first residential, rehabilitative, camp exclusively for burn survivors.

Our model provides medical and psycho-social care which are integrated into quality camp programming. We incorporate intentional activities that foster discussions between campers about living and thriving with a burn injury. Focused on the principles of youth development, our program was developed in partnership with Cheley Colorado Camps in Estes Park, CO, a world-class summer adventure camp in continuous operation since 1921.

Children’s Hospital Colorado Burn Camps Program meets the psychological and rehabilitation needs of a child and their family following a burn injury. They receive excellent care in hospitals and clinics. At the time of discharge, because rehabilitative stays are limited and reintegration opportunities are limited for young burn survivors, some of these patients need additional support. They need a place to re-process the traumatic pathways that a burn injury can cause. They need an opportunity to connect with other survivors, to be in a supported environment where they are encouraged to challenge themselves and create a full life.

Our history

Since 1983, Children’s Hospital Colorado Burn Camp has been providing an opportunity for young burn survivors to recover together in community. Through partnerships with 8 hospitals nationwide, camp connects survivors within a camp setting. The intentional and individualized programming is created to address each child’s goals while working collaboratively with families and referring burn units. A growth plan is created based on each individual’s needs. This program meets each child where they are in the recovery process and helps them heal from the trauma experienced by a burn injury.

Since 1983, The Children’s Hospital Colorado Burn Camps Program has been a place of healing and inspiration for hundreds of burn-injured children. It began as a one-week summer camp program serving 20 survivors and has evolved into a continuum of rehabilitative experiences offered throughout the development of a young person’s life. The programs are designed to guide kids beyond their scars and a life full of opportunity and possibilities.

Our camps

Summer Camp

Flagship, residential summer camp for children years 8 to 18 held at Cheley Colorado Camps in Estes Park, CO. Built within Summer Camp is an international camp exchange program that allows campers to expand their global knowledge, become culturally aware, work on their interpersonal communication skills, and learn how to become global citizens.

Family Camp

Camp program for the entire family. This camp is geared toward offering support to families of young burn survivors and their siblings.

Winter Camp

Youth development camp, and ski/snowboard program, for teen burn survivors that provides challenges both on and off the mountain. This program addresses goals for peer interaction, success in school and home life.

Young Adult Retreat

Program to address the needs of the young adults. Programming includes budget management, dating, resume building, and writing a personal mission statement.

What camp means to us

Camp is a place where we all belong. For each of us in the burn camp community, it becomes a part of your story. There is a circle of support for not only the campers but all who participate. The foundation we build together at camp provides opportunity to recognize the beauty in each of us. And as camp counselor Alec Rhodes reminds us at the start of each day: “Today could quite possibly be the greatest day of your life.”

The program improves the lives of children with a burn injury through the use of enriched curriculum and a path of adventure in a safe environment. We strive to impart imagination, authentic character, and confidence. We inspire campers to trust in their abilities and we help them develop the courage to thrive throughout their recovery and beyond. They start believing in themselves again and in the friendship of others who know their whole story.

The Children’s Hospital Colorado Burn Camps Program (CHCOBCP) is an American Camp Association accredited suite of programs structured to meet the rehabilitative and psychosocial needs of children who have sustained a burn injury. Since its inception in 1983, our program is designed to meet the specific needs of children who have sustained a burn injury by providing a residential camp program with world-class medical care from professional camp staff, dedicated staff from referring burn units, and community service partners. The scope and sequence of the Burn Camps Program provides the building blocks for each camper to build on their successes and reflect on the process.

The CHCOBCP provides an opportunity for pediatric burn survivors to reprocess the traumatic pathways that a burn injury can cause. We work to provide intentional and individualized programming to address each child’s goals while working collaboratively with families and referring burn units. We tailor a growth plan specific to each campers’ needs. Goals focus on social skill development, body image, challenging negative and limiting beliefs, appropriate risk-taking, overcoming challenges in a supportive community. Through guided reflection, campers translate these experiences into life-long skills. The lessons learned at camp are unique and build lifelong bridges to future successes.

Outcomes

  • Discover new self-confidence
  • Increase independence and self-reliance
  • Encourage positive risk taking
  • Enhance social skills
  • Foster cultural competency

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