Thus, a vision was born to open a camp for children who have been hospitalized with burn injuries, Camp I-Thonka-Chi.

In 1992, the vision turned into reality. The first Camp I-Thonka-Chi was held on a weekend and hosted nine campers.

ABOUT THE CAMP

The annual burn camp sponsored by Parkland Memorial Hospital is called, Camp I-Thonka-Chi, which is Choctaw for "a place that makes one strong or fearless, not afraid to face life". Parkland's camp is among approximately 32 such camps nationwide which are designed to address issues specific to burn injuries.

The camp is an opportunity for the children and teens to interact with others who have been burned. They see that they're not alone. They can be open with each other and share what they're going through. Interaction with other children who have been burned increases self-esteem through participation in confidence-building activities with people who accept them as they are. A 10-year-old Dallas boy who attended Parkland's first burn camp several years ago returned home "a more confident and independent child who seems to feel genuinely good about himself," his mother said. Despite support from school mates regarding his injuries, many still ask, "what happened to you," and stare.

That doesn't happen at burn camp where the children are surrounded by people who understand and other children who know exactly what it is like to be stared at and asked personal questions - to be totally free to run and play without worry.

Being burned is devastating not only physically and psychologically, but financially for the family as well. The camp gives children a chance to be just plain kids. Burn camp activities include fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, nature hikes, arts and crafts, cookouts, games and much more. Adult burn survivors join with Parkland Burn Center staff to serve as volunteer counselors to the children. Participation by adult burn survivors provides role models who, in spite of similar injuries, have gone on to lead normal, productive lives.