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Camp leads children towards fellowship by Cindy Abole Public Relations Forty-five children from South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida got a chance to share in the summertime joys of swimming, fishing, boat rides and other fun activities during the ninth annual Camp Can Do, a special summer camp for children treated for serious burn injuries. This year’s session was held July 5 – 8 at Camp St. Christopher, Seabrook Island.      Participants of this year’s S.C. firefighters and MUSC Children’s Hospital’s Camp Can Do. Each year since 1997, Camp Can Do provides children, ages 6 to 17, with a chance to enjoy activities in a safe, supportive outdoor environment set within a variety of social, recreational and educational camp activities.     The program teamed South Carolina firefighters with what was formerly MUSC’s Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) program, now known as the MUSC Children’s Hospital Burned Children’s Fund, to create Camp Can Do. Today, the camp is still supported by donations and the efforts of statewide firefighters and MUSC Children’s Hospital Pediatric Burn Services.      Camper Duane Johnson-Jenkins scoops ice cream with the help of firefighter volunteers, from left, Anthony Baker, Al Nord, Matt Thomson and David Coates as Camp St. Christopher chef Steve Boyle looks on. “Each year, we focus on fun and the unconditional love and acceptance we provide to all camp participants in this summer camp experience,” said Jill Evans, R.N., coordinator for Pediatric Burn Services. “Everything we do is for the children.”   Evans and Children’s Hospital child life specialist Betsy McMillan lead a parade of about 45 camp counselors, staff volunteers and firefighter volunteers who gave of their time and effort to assist camp participants in the four-day experience. Aside from camp volunteers, the staff is supplemented by the Burned Children’s Fund executive director, camp coordinator, a camp nurse, pediatric burn care representative and other project directors.   Camp director Kenny Gypin strums music from a washboard instrument with camper Zebonie Lopez. “Firefighters are very supportive to this cause,” Evans said of the continuous support of firefighters from the Palmetto state’s seven regions. “We all find it very fulfilling.”   The camp provides a opportunity for recovering children to bond with others like themselves and not feel different. Campers participate in many outdoor activities including canoeing, boating, field trips, firefighter relay games, arts and crafts, dance parties, magic shows and cultural exhibitions. For information, visit http://children.musc.edu/about/dept_prog/burn_fund.htm.   Friday, July 15, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.