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TestimonialsVolunteer Mother Proud of What This Camp Can Do For the Children
“I have always been in awe of the folks that have volunteered to help my son…and I have been able to speak to the difference that it has made in Jeff’s life, but this year, I was able to witness what I believe it meant to other campers! I checked many of them in at the health center “check in” on day one. Many were returning campers with so much enthusiasm that I could hardly get any information out of them because they were so anxious to get off to what they knew was awaiting them! Other were first year campers that were sometimes quite hesitant and unsure if this was what they really wanted to be doing this week or not!
By week’s end, I saw so much emotional growth in children that I had only just met…prior to this year, I had just dropped off and picked Jeff up and heard “small bits” of what happened all week and how much fun it was.
Now I was faced with trying to learn 85+ camper names plus the counselors and support staff, as well as, trying to decipher what this week meant to others! I witnessed smiles, laughter, tears, insecurity and jubilation, that I am now certain happens for each of these children even if it is not witnessed during the camp week!
This camp is sooooo important to these kids that even the kids may not realize it until weeks/months later…their guards come down a bit and they begin to look to the future because now they know they have one! What may begin as only a “glimmer” eventually through the weeks/months or years..becomes a night light in their hearts! They sincerely do have an added confidence as they enter school and they are “armed” with enormous self confidence as they enter new schools/experiences/situations. They feel “equipped”…how many of us can say that???
I am even more determined as ever to continue to help this camp prosper in any possible way that I can for as long as I have the ability to make a difference for these kids or this cause! They are sometimes so down trodden and so defeated in life…but; they leave so “changed” so fulfilled! This is a cause that needs to be continued for as long as there are children that suffer from burns!
I thank you for allowing me to participate in the personal growth of so many kids and to witness first hand, my Jeff actually advocating for himself and a goal that he has had in focus for 3 years! For a child/children that often do not think much about tomorrow…a 3 year goal is astronomical” in life size! I thank you so much for selecting him and for him to realize that his goals do matter to others and they are worth the work that it takes to make them come true…its life changing! Sincerely, Jeff is on “his own high”…he has tried out for another school play (with a musical solo) and he has anticipated school this year with overwhelming enthusiasm. For this I thank you all so much! There are times that “propping” these kids up is more than a family job…and I thank God every day that Jeff has found his “niche” at burn camp!
Please continue to do what you can for these kids within your own life’s perimeter and please know that you sincerely do make a difference in the lives of these kids…maybe not day or week one…but in the long run!
I thank you all so much..there are not enough words.”
Tina & Jeff /Mother of Camper & Son
Voices of Joy from the Most Recent Camp Session
| "Camp has been a very positive experience for my daughter. It has helped her to be a compassionate person and has taught her coping skills and how to deal with people. She has even had the opportunity to speak to her peers about her burns in health class." |
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- Mother of Camper
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| "Our son was referred by his caregivers at Children’s Health in Milwaukee to participate at the burn camp in East Troy. I wasn’t so sure it was a good idea but; I followed the advice of the "pros" and guess what!!!...he had a blast! There was swimming, fishing, crafts and best of all eating!
He made some new friends and saw some old ones from the hospital. He wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. He found some independence at camp and for a 7 year old that’s a good thing. I’m not sure how this works; but, I hope he can go again next year because it was worth his while. Thanks for all your good work!"
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- A Camper’s Family
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| "This was my first year working as a counselor and heading into it I really didn’t know what to expect. Well, it was above and beyond my expectations. The activities that the campers were able to participate in throughout the week were outstanding and I had a lot of fun along with all the campers. When Saturday rolled around, I didn’t want to leave all the friends I had made. I still want to go back to see everyone again." |
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- Camp Counselor
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| "My camp experience from this year was to me something out of a fairy tale, a little cheese, I know but; that is the only way I know how to say it. I was a counselor for the first time this year. Activities staff was amazing to work with, Megan was a great person to learn from and help out. The kids were also amazing. I do believe this was one of the best years for all campers. I know from my friends still in teens that they loved every minute and all the new activities they did.
I am very proud of going to burn camp. Tome, it is like my second home. It is a place where I can relax from stress I have back home. Sure there is always something going on but; that is the best part about it. I never get bored."
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- Heather, Camp Activities
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| "I liked the wood crafting, art and everything my brother did especially family day where I dunked my dad in the dunk tank. I also like the golf cart rides and all the candy and donuts." |
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- Zachary, Camper
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| "I really like camp! I thought the dancers at Opening Ceremonies were really good. For me, the hot air balloon ride was the best thing this year! It was pretty cool. I’ve been going to this camp since I was seven years old. Camp means everything to me. I wouldn’t miss it ever! I love camp and I love seeing all of my friends." |
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- Samantha, Camper
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| "I loved camp. It was busy morning, noon and night. I loved horseback riding, pillow fights and arts and crafts. I really like the people, my counselors and family day." |
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- Randy, Camper
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A Thank You Letter to WAFS - From A Grateful Parent and CamperI just wanted to send a BIG thank you for the past nine years of camp that my son, Craig Kallian, had been able to attend. You do not realize how much camp meant to him when he was able to attend! WAFS is an awesome organization with a team of people behind the scenes putting together such a meaningful camp for these kids each year. Craig was torn between high school football practices and attending camp this past year. Practices were held the same time that camp was held. He did tell me that he sure did miss not being able to go, but had to make a choice and football practices won over so that he would be able to get a good position on the team. My heart cannot express enough of what your people have done for him and his post growing up after the burns. He is more accepting of what had happened to him, he has accepted the fact that, yeah, I may have scars but I am not any different than my friends who do not have scars. Your camping experience brings to light to these kids that they are not any different than other kids their age. They can achieve anything that they set their minds to do and can become very productive people. The people who donate their time for these kids are angels from heaven. I applaud them and their commitment. They all make the world a brighter place for burn victims and their families. Wishing the WAFS camp many more years of outstanding achievements. May God bless all of you!
Thank you again,
Cathy Haines
Thank You Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety
We recently received “Brecker Bunny Learns to be Careful” books from our local Wausau Fire Department. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the colorful, informational books stocked with so many Safety Smart tips on fire and burn safety. It is a very teacher/parent- friendly book with the lesson plan that sets up activities and promotes discussion to practice these safety tips. As we really involve our parents in our program at Head Start, the safety checklist provides an opportunity to involve the entire family in making their home as safe as possible. Thank you again.
Pam McKenzie
Administrative Assistant
MCCDA Head Start
A Labor of Love
Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety was in for a very nice surprise when we attended the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association (WSFIA) Fall Conference in November, 2006.
The Spouse Program of the WSFIA honored the “Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth” by naming the camp as recipients of their fire safety quilt raffle.
Several years back, Marge Eklund, wife of Josepf Eklund a fire service volunteer from Augusta, Wisconsin, suggested to the WSFIA Spouse Program that they should come together and create a quilt for a worthwhile cause. In Fall 2005, work began on their wonderful project.
Each spouse involved was to create a 14”x 14” cloth panel using a fire service theme. All the panels were sewn on a red cloth background to create the long and warm quilt. In time for the WSFIA Conference the quilt was born! Marge Eklund was hoping she would win the raffle. She claims she would have donated it right back to the camp for the kids!
Our sincere thank you to the ladies in the Spouse Program of WSFIA with special thanks going to Marge Eklund, Diane Kobach, Irene (Diane’s mother), and Delores Scheele. Many long hours were spent on this artistic masterpiece which brought in $1000 which will be used towards 2007 camp expenses.
Thank You Lake Geneva Fire Department
In 2005, the Lake Geneva Fire Department celebrated its 125th Anniversary. At their January monthly meeting, after much discussion, the members of the Department decided to hold an event to commemorate the anniversary. A committee, consisting of Larry Kulik, Bill Gehrmann, Joe Wall, and Matt Kuehl volunteered to plan and organize the event.
With Chief Binker’s plan in place, the committee developed a plan to pay for the event by asking for contributions and sponsorships from the community. The community responded by donating over $17,000 to pay for the event. As the contributions began to come in and a basic budget was set for the event, it became apparent that the Department would receive more money in contributions then it needed to pay for the event. The committee posed the question of how to handle the excess funds to the Department as a whole, which decided to donate the money to a local charity. Lt. Zina Opper suggested donating the money to the Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety Burn Camp which is a tremendous organization that puts on an annual camp for child burn victims. The Department unanimously agreed that the Burn Camp was a worthy cause that provided a valuable service that is consistent with the mission of the fire service.
The 125th Anniversary event was held on October 9, 2006 and was a tremendous success. Due to the tremendous support by the Lake Geneva community, on February 7, 2006 the Lake Geneva Fire Department was able to donate $4,589.82 to the “Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth.”
“Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth” Fundraiser
We are honored as an organization to present the following picture and letter received from Mrs. Kannenberg, Principal at Blessed Sacrament School – Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Blessed Sacrament School held a fundraiser for the “Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth” earlier this year. We especially would like to thank Eric Barwick a student at the Milwaukee School for his compassion and drive along with Blessed Sacrament School. The school staff totally encouraged Eric and the students to help youth burn survivors experience the WAFS Camp. The camp is designed for youth burn survivors to share feelings and experiences along with having fun and making new friends.
Pictured from left to right are:
Milwaukee Firefighter and Camp Counselor – Dan Nikolaus, Eric Barwick - Student, Camp Counselor – Avigal Harris and Blessed Sacrament Principal – Mrs.Kathleen Kannenberg.
WAFS / NIE Oct 9-15 2005 publication testimonial
The following letter is from a Wauwatosa elementary teacher and is a wonderful testimonial of the Fire and Burn Safety Section distributed to over 2,200 schools in Wisconsin.
Testimonials from Schools in Wisconsin
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