Burns are the second leading cause of accidental death for children one to four years and the third leading cause of death for all those under age 19. Burn injuries are emotional as well as physical, r equiring many adjustments for growing and maturing children. Firefighters purchase special items as requested by the staff of the burn care facilities. These are usually non-medical items that are not covered by insurance. This has included pediatric wheelchairs, exercise equipment, and a teddy bear or fire truck just to cheer up a child.
Campers associate with other burn survivors and help encourage one another.
The camp was developed by the N. C. Jaycee Burn Center and was the first of its kind. Now similar camps exist worldwide. Transportation is provided when needed and firefighters work with burn center staff as camp counselors. The worst type of burn is one that could have been prevented. The Firefighters' Burned Children Fund works with firefighters and medical professionals across the nation to promote safety awareness.