Time and Place: Burns camp - A week to remember

Friday, 5 February 2016

Kids with burns from all over New Zealand are flown to Auckland for the annual burns camp.

Playing in the waterfalls, exploring the rugged coast lines and cooking together - the worries of their everyday lives melt away. Here they are free from the stares, teasing and the self consciousness of everyday life.

These kids are burn survivors and are in various stages of coming to grips with psychological and physical scarring, some with burns to over 75 per cent of their bodies.

'It is a chance for kids to just be kids and to be around other children who have been through what they have.'

In the safety of Camp Awhi, [Awhi meaning to embrace and cherish] the children come out of their shells.

It is run annually by Burn Support Group and located at the Piha Mill Camp, on Auckland's West Cost.

'The children share their experiences learning how to cope with taunting, staring and teasing, which can be soul destroying to them if they are not given the 'tools' to help them cope,' said Nikki Boucher, Burns Support Group spokeswoman

They also hear from adult burn survivors, who have lived with their burn a lot longer than they have.

The children that are new to camp arrive on day one, shy and with their scars covered. By the end of camp the same child is shirtless and embracing the camp culture.

'Children compare their scars, their experiences and their stories - it really is a special thing to watch,' Boucher said.

Lily Bartholomew 11, has burns and skin grafts to about 20 per cent of her body after being scalded by hot water.

She and her mother Lindsey Bartholomew have been attending the camp for five years and now think of the people like a second family.

'She loves it, it gives her a real boost going into the school year, it reaffirms that she's not the only kid out there with grafts or burns.' Bartholomew said.

Bartholomew said her daughter was initially really nervous and shy about her scars but now, thanks to the camp, she's confident and outgoing.

'Now, she'll walk in to class, show off her burns and say: 'Any questions?'

This year's camp was held from January 25 - 29 and hosted 15 kids from as young as five years old and as far afield as Dunedin.

The kids and a care-giver are flown in for the all-expenses-paid escape.

In among the trust building exercises, discos and movie nights the parents get the chance to bond and share their experiences too.

It is the result of a years worth of planning and fundraising and every little bit pays off, the kids have a magical time.

'It is a chance for kids to just be kids and to be around other children who have been through what they have,' Boucher said.