Schneider Children’s Specialists Hold Camp for Children with Burns

A specially designed camp for children and adolescents with burn injuries took place in the Youth Village at Kfar Galim under the supervision and guidance of a team of occupational and physical therapists at Schneider Children’s. This is the 7th consecutive year that the camp has taken place at the initiative of Yuliana Eshel, Director of Occupational Therapy, and Nili Arbel, Director of Physical Therapy at Schneider Children’s , together with many other professionals in Israel who have specialized in the field of burn therapy.

Through a variety of camp activities and contact with others like themselves, children learnt new ways of coping with their injuries and scars and to see themselves in a new light, build their self-image, encourage their coping through cooperation and exposure in a safe and supportive environment, and gain self-confidence thus promoting their integration in society. The camp comprised 45 children aged 7-18 from all parts of the country and from all communities, who had suffered severe burn injuries.

Other programs included a unique musical recital for children with severe burn injuries. Twenty three volunteer tutors, who accompanied the children throughout their stay in the camp, provided a sympathetic ear.

According to Ms. Eshel and Ms. Arbel, founders of the Burn Camp, “this special endeavor allows every child who has suffered burn injuries to continue the process of emotional and physical rehabilitation and to walk with pride among equals in society. Every year, we seek different ways to accord them moments of great enjoyment, activities with values important to humanity and love of the country and the land. We are aware that these activities, as well as the diversity of human spirit in the camp and the children’s  mutual backgrounds create a unique interaction that results in the children becoming ambassadors of cooperation, patience and compassion.”