The B.C. Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund kicked off Burn Camp 2012 in the Royal City.

Following a pancake breakfast at Queen's Park on July 15, more than 70 burn-injured children boarded buses bound for Camp Latona on Gambier Island.

During the weeklong camp, campers and counsellors participate in group activities including swimming, hiking, kayaking, a skit night, and arts and crafts - and they also receive valuable one-on-one support from counsellors and other burn survivors.

New Westminster Fire Fighters IAFF Local 256 hosted the kickoff celebration and pancake breakfast at Queen's Park Stadium on Sunday. The New Westminster Firefighters' Charitable Society also donated $2,500 to the burn camp, having raised funds for numerous causes through events like tree chippings and shred-athons.

Burn camp, which is funded by the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, is free for young burn survivors.

In addition to donations from firefighter locals around B.C., the fund is also supported by the provincial government, corporations, foundations, service organizations and individuals.

Campers attending burn camp were injured in a variety of ways including playing with gasoline and matches, getting scalded from hot water, being injured in accidents like house fires, and boating and car accidents.

More than 50 volunteer counsellors donate their time at burn camp, including firefighters from around B.C., adult burn survivors, doctors and registered nurses and other health professionals who treat people with burn injuries.

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tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com