Pediatric Burn Survivors Headed to Baton Rouge General’s Free Summer Camp

BATON ROUGE, La. – A group of 40 pediatric burn survivors will head to Baton Rouge General’s Camp Catahoula Saturday, July 17. The week-long camp, held in Lawrence, Miss., provides summer fun like swimming, fishing and games along with the chance for burn survivors to share their experiences with other survivors.

Camp Catahoula is staffed by volunteers from Baton Rouge General -- doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and even a chef – as well as the Baton Rouge Fire Department, Louisiana State Police, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and Brothers Keepers, a firefighters’ motorcycle club. Parents of young burn survivors and adult burn survivors also volunteer at camp, which is free for the kids to attend.

“It is rewarding to see the campers’ excitement as they interact with other children recovering from burn injuries,” said Dr. Tracee Short, burn surgeon and medical director of BRG’s Regional Burn Center. “To feel supported and comfortable around other burn survivors who have faced the same trauma and who carry similar scars truly aids in their emotional healing.”

Campers will enjoy an action-packed week, including a rope course and Relay Olympics to a petting zoo and a fair. They’ll also have the chance to do arts and crafts, and join in various small groups for sharing their stories.

Several organizations support the BRG Foundation by raising funds to send local children to Camp Catahoula without any expense to their families, with Shell as the primary sponsor. Other supporters include the Baton Rouge Fire Department, Baton Rouge State Fair Foundation, Brother’s Keepers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Louisiana State Police, and many adult burn survivors and staff.

“Presenting Camp Catahoula is a natural progression for Shell,” said Rhoman Hardy, Shell Senior Vice President US Gulf Coast. “We first got involved with Baton Rouge General’s Regional Burn Center when we helped bring to life the outdoor therapy area in its newly expanded space. Camp Catahoula allowed us to broaden our support to meet the needs of our region’s youngest burn survivors. After last year’s ‘camp in quarantine’, we are excited for the campers to have the full camp experience as they continue their survivorship. Shell is proud to once again be a partner in the important work of the Baton Rouge General Regional Burn Center.”

BRG's Regional Burn Center was first established in 1970 and is the only verified burn center in the region and the first in the state. Verification by the American Burn Association is a rigorous process ensuring that BRG’s team and facilities are held to the highest quality standards of care management of burns from time of injury through rehabilitation.

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About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with over 600 licensed beds between three campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General is affiliated with several medical school programs, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter @BRGeneral and Instagram @batonrougegeneral.

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