This past Memorial Day Weekend, the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital celebrated its thirteenth year of “Burn Survivor Family Camp" at The Canyon Creek Sports Camp of Lake Hughes, approximately 18 miles east of Lake Castaic. The Grossman Burn Center Family Camp offers an important emotional outlet for burn survivors and their families, as well as meets the goals for a comprehensive burn treatment center. More than 150 burn survivors, family, burn center staff, and volunteers thoroughly enjoyed this confidence-building event through recreational activities including waterfall hikes, go-karts, a ropes course, arts & crafts, talent show, archery, softball and soccer games, and star gazing in age-appropriate support groups.
Sharing personal experiences in a safe and fun environment has a tremendous emotional effect on everyone in attendance and speaks to the spirit of traumatic healing. Campers finished the weekend with a presentation by the California Ranger Color Guard and a flag raising in honor of Memorial Day. Dr. Peter H. Grossman, Medical Director of the Grossman Burn Centers, stated, “Every year we feel a sense of relief when we arrive at this magical place where everyone is valued, scars are a badge of honor, and deep friendships are made.” Family Camp is funded by the Grossman Burn Foundation with major sponsorships from the Children’s Burn Foundation and Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors. A dedicated committee of Grossman Burn Center staff, burn survivors, volunteers, and family members plan, host, and manage the camp.