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Burn Camp Eases The Sting Of Youngsters' Scars

Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Approximately 40 kids from Camp Hopetake spent the day at Adventure Island Wednesday.

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By MICHELE SAGER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 18, 2008

TAMPA - With no fear and no second thought, Nataly Villalba leapt from the 20-foot platform and plunged into the pool.

Her arms flailed and she belted out a scream as she splashed into the water below.

The teen didn't worry about getting stares or sympathy from strangers because of the burns on her skin.

Today she was among friends, people who didn't judge or treat her differently. She was just another camper making memories.

Nataly is one of 40 children attending Camp Hopetake this week. The camp serves burn victims ages 5 to 17 and helps them cope with the social and emotional scars of their injuries.

The children spend a week bunking together at the University of South Florida and participating in a variety of activities.

"It's a way to help them build their confidence and social skills," said Russell Spicola, camp counselor and a Tampa Fire Rescue captain. "We create a safe environment where they can build friendships. It really is like a family here."

The camp costs about $40,000 and is paid for by Tampa firefighters and paramedics and the Tampa General Hospital burn unit. Firefighters and paramedics and hospital nurses and therapists volunteer to be counselors.

Campers play games, attend a dance and visit theme parks. The group spent today at Adventure Island.

As campers sped down slides and splashed in pools, their injuries seemed to be far from their minds.

Nataly, 15, said she wasn't always so confident at camp, where she is because of burns from a kitchen fire.

"When I first started coming eight years ago, I never wanted to take my sweatpants off because I was embarrassed," she said. "Now I run around in my bathing suit because I know those things don't matter."

Nataly said new campers are shy about their burns but quickly blossom in the loving environment.

Camper Kevon Martonell was attending the camp for the first time after being badly burned by hot water. But the 7-year-old didn't shy away from the cool water pools at Adventure Island.

"This camp is so awesome," he said. "I'm having so much fun."

Lena Garrett-Taylor said she likes to return to camp to see her friends, who understand what she has gone through. The 15-year-old was burned several years ago in an electrical fire.

"People don't feel sorry for you here because everyone understands what it's like," she said. "It definitely builds your self-confidence."

Cassie Null, 17, said this year's trip to camp is bittersweet because it will be her last. She has attended the camp since she was 5, her age when she played with a lighter that caught her pajamas on fire and burned her.

"I'm really sad, because these people have become my family," she said. "I've learned not to hide behind my injuries and instead just be myself."

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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