FDNY Firefighters Volunteer at NY Firefighters Burn Center Foundation Camp

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One week every summer, kids travel to a camp near Union, Conn., and just have fun. They ride zip lines, eat snow cones and sit around campfires.

It's a memorable experience for any kid - but for these kids it's extra special. It's a camp set up by the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, which brings kids who have experienced burns to an oasis of fun.

"It's a lot of work, but I wouldn't trade it for the world," said Firefighter Ralph Longo from Ladder 129 (detailed to Squad 288), who has volunteered as a counselor for three years. "It's hard not to get attached to these kids."

The children come from as far away as Russia, and many from the William Randolph Hearst Burn Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. They range in age from 8 to 18 and stay at the sleep-away camp for eight days. This year, they hosted 82 young campers.

The kids have all experienced serious burns, some barely noticeable while others cover more than 80 percent of their bodies.

"One of the girls mentioned to me that she gets made fun of at school, but [at the camp] she doesn't have to worry because everyone's the same," said Firefighter Andy Marotta from Ladder 129, who has volunteered as a counselor for two years.

This year, the counselors said the campers enjoyed participating in archery, kayaking and high-angle rescues set up by Firefighter Billy Carlson, who has set up many real-life rescues while working at Squad 1. They also screened movies outdoors - complete with popcorn - and had a night-time carnival full of games for the kids.

Other fire department burn centers and hospitals donate funds to support the camp, so all the kids can attend for free.

"This is the best thing I've ever done in my life," Firefighter Longo said. After the 2011 camp, Firefighter Marotta said, "I asked the kids, 'How was week? Did you have fun?' They all said they had a great time."

"On the bus ride there the kids are sad because they're leaving their parents, then on the bus ride home, they're sad because they have to go home. In that week, we become one big family."

For more information or to donate, visit http://www.nyffburncenter.com/

Republished with permission of the New York City Fire Department. View original article here.



Author:Emily Rahimi - PIO - FDNY