Child burn survivors had a wet and wonderful time at the annual Children’s Burn Foundation “Camp Gung Ho” event in Malibu on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Makos Surf Club.
About 70 children learned surfing basics from 15 instructors at the longtime surf club located near Lifeguard Tower 16 at Zuma Beach.
The camp emphasizes making friends with other burn survivors, learning new skills, gaining confidence in meeting a challenge, boosting self-esteem — and having fun. The children and their families also enjoyed snacks and a lunch.
Children’s Burn Foundation helps child burn survivors and their families cope with physical, emotional and financial issues. The nonprofit facilitates full recovery services for children who have been severely burned, emergency family assistance, support groups, camps and parties. The support services are for ages up to 18.
According to the foundation website, about “250,000 children in the United States, ages 0-17, will be burned seriously enough to require medical attention; 15,000 of them will require hospitalization and as many as 1,100 of them will succumb to their injuries.”
About 75% of child burns involve children under the age of four. The foundation estimates that 80% of burns can be prevented. They strive to educate the public on how to prevent and treat burns.
Children’s Burn Foundation, 818-907-2822. www.facebook.com/childburn. www.childburn.org/