Summer Camp for Pediatric Burn Survivors Combines Fun with Healing

BATON ROUGE, La. –  A group of 50 pediatric burn survivors from across the state are headed to Baton Rouge General’s Camp Catahoula, a free, weeklong camp held annually in Lawrence, Miss. In its seventh year, Camp Catahoula provides summer fun like swimming, fishing, horseback riding and games along with the chance for burn survivors to share their experiences with other survivors who have faced the same trauma, all as part of the healing process.  

Camp Catahoula is staffed by volunteers from Baton Rouge General -- nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and even a chef – as well as the Baton Rouge Fire Department and the Louisiana State Police. Parents of young burn survivors and adult burn survivors also volunteer at camp.  

Campers will enjoy an action-packed week, including a ropes course, archery, karaoke and a glow party, cooking competitions and team relay games. They’ll also have the chance to do arts and crafts, and join in various small groups to share 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 Baton Rouge State Fair Foundation, The Boo Grigsby Foundation, Brother’s Keepers, DonahueFavret, F45 City Square, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Association, MDVIP, Professional Firefighters Association of Louisiana, Raise the Barn supporters, Spanish Town Ladies Auxiliary, many adult burn survivors, generous donors, and current and former staff. 

“Shell is proud to support Camp Catahoula, standing alongside Baton Rouge General in making a lasting impact on young burn survivors,” said JJ Howell, Shell Geismar and Convent Vice President. “Our team looks forward to this experience every year— it’s an honor to be part of something so meaningful for the children and families in our region.” 

For more information, click here. 

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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