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Camp gives young burn victims chance to get away

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Kids from Camp Hopetake ride the lazy river at Adventure Island Wednesday as part of the week long camp for burn victims ages 5 through 17.

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TBO.com

Published: June 17, 2009

TAMPA - Swapping their camp clothes for swimsuits, more than 40 young burn victims took to the pools and waterslides of Adventure Island today.

The youngsters, ranging from 5 to 17 years old, are participants of Camp Hopetake, a weeklong summer program specifically for burn victims. The camp was created as a safe haven for children dealing with the social and emotional scars of living with burn injuries.

For the second year, the camp is based at the University of South Florida with nurses, therapists, firefighters and paramedics working as counselors.

Camp Hopetake is paid for by the Tampa Firefighters and Paramedics, IAFF 754, and the Tampa General Hospital Foundation. The camp is supported by the staff of the Regional Burn Center at Tampa General Hospital.

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