CAMP FOR CHILDREN WHO WERE BURN VICTIMS SCHEDULE

An investigator for the state fire marshal said he sees the devastation associated with fires as a part of his job and now he wants to help in the healing process.

James "Butch" Amann of Jackson has been trying to get people interested in a burn camp that will be held Aug. 11 through 17 at the Lake of the Ozarks. This is the first year for a camp of this kind in Missouri.

"I see what fire can do and I know the damage it does and it's a hard thing to work through," Amann said.

Amann, who will be volunteering as a camp counselor, not only deals with fires on a professional level, he is also a burn victim. He received mainly first- and second-degree burns to his face, neck, chest, arms and hands when a boiler flashed back into his face a few years ago. He said it took months of rehabilitation before he could return to his work and a normal life.

"If somebody can know they're not the only one who's been through that kind of thing then that helps them," he said.

Amann said there are certain exercises and treatments burn victims must go through to ensure their skin does not lose its elasticity as it heals. He said he was lucky because his burns did not leave significant scarring.

"I see so much of the tragedy," Amann said. "I want to see some kids come away from that tragedy. Maybe that will help me, too, in knowing that it doesn't always end in tragedy. Some of these people do get better."

Amann has been sending out brochures to local plastic surgeons and hospitals asking for their help in locating an area burn victim that would like to attend the camp. He has also been lining up sponsors.

He said the Cape Girardeau County Women of Law Enforcement, the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department and several businesses have offered sponsorship money.

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan said he would be trying to work the schedule so some of his officers could be free to volunteer for the camp.

"Our hope is that we can send someone to participate in the camp," Jordan said. "You have a part in maybe making a child really feel good about what they're doing and the situation that they're in and they can overcome any impairment they have."

Jordan said the group that is sponsoring the camp has an auction every year and he's tried to find organizations who might donate to that.

Gary Hansen, a camp organizer, said 18 children have signed up to attend the camp. He said the Burns Recovered Support Group, the organization that is setting up the camp, can handle about 30 campers. The deadline for applying is July 1, but that is not a hard deadline and can be adjusted, Hansen said.

The camp will have one volunteer counselor for every three campers. Lake of the Ozarks counselors will also be on hand to conduct activities.

The support group is leasing Camp Sabra, which is maintained by the Jewish Community Center at the Lake of the Ozarks. Hansen said the camp will offer horseback riding and boat trips. A nurse will be on hand at all times for medical treatment and to dispense medication.

At least one participant was burned earlier this month and will be wearing special pressure garments and dressings.

Linda Hansen, Gary's wife and event co-developer, said she hopes the camp will help convince burn victims that they are not alone in their recovery.

"This will give them the opportunity to build some self-esteem," she said.

Linda Hansen said the support group sent some burn victims out of the state to a camp last year. She said 23 states have these kinds of camps. To register for the camp call (314) 981-0362, or write to Burns Recovered Support Group, PO Box 410332, St. Louis, Mo., 63141.

"Our goal this year was to create a camp here in our state so we could better benefit our community," she said.