DonnaBellas Angels partners with the San Diego Burn Institute for “Camp Beyond Scars”

In August 2009, DonnaBellas Angels partnered with the San Diego Burn Institute to help provide an inspirational art craft for the children’s summer “Camp Beyond Scars”.

DonnaBellas Angels provided art supplies & craft design for “Create Your Inner Portrait”. Children will trace their outline of their body on paper then fill it with statements and pictures about what they love, like, and hope for in life. Here are some pictures, plus feedback from Dana Kuhn at BI about the event:

"The Burn Institute’s Camp Beyond the Scars has received generous art and craft donations from DonnaBellas Angels. Camp Beyond the Scars is like any other camp except that it is a camp for burn survivors. And as we plan our camp activities, we take into account their needs.

In 2009, we had a lot of campers coming in with deep burns to their hands which meant skin grafting and a lot of corrective healing in the process. As they were entering camp they were attending Occupational Therapy multiple times week to maintain and/or regain mobility to their hands. This time is essential in one’s recovery. With that knowledge, we focused on bring a lot of arts and crafts to camp so that all the campers but most notably those with hand burns where still experiencing some form of Occupational Therapy.

The theme to our camp was, “Experiencing Through the Arts,” introduced campers to a variety of art-centric activities including making collages, knitting, tie-dying, dancing and performing in a talent show with their cabin mates. Though the theme was chosen to encourage personal creativity, several activities were selected to promote mobility and flexibility for children badly scarred by burn injury.

Arts and crafts was a daily activity that really allowed them to use their hands. They continuously worked their fingers, but were still having fun with it…not knowing that in the process it was considered a form of Occupational Therapy. For the teen campers…we used collage in part with their support group sessions…and it truly brought out some true artistry! Most of all the arts and crafts were donated by DonnaBellas Angels and some ideas where shared with us to implement!!!

THANK YOU DonnaBellas Angels!!"

- Dana Kuhn
Burn Survivor Support Services
San Diego Burn Institute

Burn injury, whether accidental or inflicted remains one of the leading causes of childhood death and disfigurement in the United States. For those children who survive a serious burn injury, permanent scarring, physical deformity, social isolation and emotional trauma linger well beyond the initial tragedy. Each year children, ages 5-17, attend a weeklong summer camp held in the foothills of San Diego County.

Visit DonnaBellas Angels online event page: http://www.donnabellasangels.org/events/calendar/2009/08-Camp_Beyond_Scars/index.html

Camp Beyond Scars: http://www.burninstitute.org/bss/programs/camp.html