West Penn’s 'Burn Camp' returns in Beaver County after two-year hiatus

MARION TWP. – Swimming, fishing, canoeing, rock climbing, arts and crafts and games.

These are just some of the activities that come to mind when thinking of children going to summer camp.

However, for children who have suffered from or are being treated for burns, those can be activities they might not participate in, due to fear of being watched or judged.

Therefore, for Linda Leonard, it is a blessing that there is a special camp out there for children who have burns — to not only connect over a shared experience but to also have a place for a kid to simply be a kid.

After a two-year hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Allegheny Health Network West Penn Hospital Burn Center held its annual “burn camp.”

Around 20 children/teenagers from western and central Pennsylvania, as well as West Virginia, attended the camp from June 4-8, at YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee.

“We are thrilled to return to Camp Kon-O-Kwee, and to once again see children who we’ve treated for burn injures grow, flourish and have fun during their time at camp,” said Ariel Aballay, MD, medical director, West Penn Burn Center. “The strength and perseverance of our pediatric burn patients is always an inspiration to us, and our team is eager to see old friends and meet new friends at this year’s camp.”

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The camp was canceled in 2020, and held virtually in 2021, before returning in person this year.

Leonard serves as the camp director and is also a staff nurse in the burn unit at the West Penn Burn Center.

She said the annual camp is for children who have sustained a burn injury, whether it be recently or in years past, who were treated at the center.

Leonard said the children are able to get along, make new friends, and try things they are not able to in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

“They can share one experience that they’ve all had,” Leonard said. “It’s safe. Nobody is going to make fun of them. Nobody is going to stare.”

Leonard has served as camp director for 10 years and was one of the people that helped start the camp back in 1987.

She said the camp is organized by AHN staff, yearly volunteers and former campers who come back as counselors.

Leonard said each year has a different theme, with this year’s theme being “Imagine, Invent, Experiment, Inspire,” which has a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities.

Some of the activities that were held include a robotics presentation, and building their own robots, with the Girls of Steel from Carnegie Mellon University; stargazing with representatives from the University of Pittsburgh Astrological Society; a chemical project with representatives from the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh; and a scuba-diving lesson from the Pittsburgh Scuba Center.

“The West Penn Burn Camp serves as a yearly respite for childhood burn survivors to bond and find a sense of community and belonging with one another,” Leonard said. “While we do hope this year’s STEM theme will inspire our campers to take a closer look at STEM careers, camp activities were fun, vibrant and lighthearted.”

There were other general activities, such as a nature hike led by the Audubon Society, a storyteller workshop from Steel City Storytellers, visits from the Fairmont Volunteer Fire Department and Fire and Iron Firefighters/Motorcyclists Club, a visit from Steel City Quidditch, archery, disc golf, and sign language instruction.

Camp Activities Director Rachael Simon said this year is special, due to them returning in person, stating the camp is impactful, especially for the new children, as it serves as a positive experience for them through all the pain and stress they may be going through.

Simon said with this year’s STEM theme, the children got a firsthand experience of the different practices, and said a camp setting can be an easier way to present those lessons and concepts rather than in school.

She also said the children all have the chance to talk to their peers, whether it be the other campers or counselors, about what they are going through with their treatment and/or pains.

Leonard said if the children who wanted to go to camp were still in school, they would actually receive a doctor’s excuse to attend the camp, as it is deemed a vital part of their healing process.

More:Children with burn injuries visit Camp Kon-O-Kwee

Baden native Nathan Mitchell, 9, was the lone child from Beaver County to attend the camp.

He said he had lots of fun, and said one of his favorite activities was swimming.

The West Penn Burn Center was established in 1969 and offers burn care for both children and adults.

Leonard said she often sees the children who become campers at the center and offers families the chance to have their children attend, which is free for patients to attend thanks to donations from the community.

“Our camp for burned children is just one example of the expert, compassionate, holistic care our team provides, year after year, for burn patients and their families, both inside and outside the walls of West Penn Hospital,” Aballay said.

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Nicholas Vercilla is a staff reporter for the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at nvercilla@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: West Penn’s 'Burn Camp' returns after two-year hiatus