A group of 50 pediatric burn survivors from the area were at Baton Rouge General’s Camp Catahoula, a free, weeklong camp held annually in Lawrence, Miss. Camp Catahoula provides summer fun like swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and games along with the chance for burn survivors to share their experiences with other survivors who have faced the same trauma, all as part of the healing process.
Camp Catahoula is staffed by volunteers from Baton Rouge General -- doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and even a chef – as well as the Baton Rouge Fire Department, Brother’s Keepers, a firefighters’ motorcycle club, and the Louisiana State Police. Parents of young burn survivors and adult burn survivors also volunteer at camp.
Campers enjoyed an action-packed week, including a ropes course, archery, karaoke and a glow party, cooking competitions, and team relay games. They’ll also had the chance to do arts and crafts, and join in various small groups to share their stories.
Several organizations support the BRG Foundation by raising funds to send local children to Camp Catahoula without any expense to their families, with Shell as the primary sponsor. Other supporters include Baton Rouge Area Foundation Giving Store, Baton Rouge State Fair Foundation, Brother’s Keepers, Cenla Roadrunners, F45 City Square, Industrial Specialty Contractors Inc., International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, Professional Firefighters Association of Louisiana, Raise the Barn supporters, Rotary Club of Baton Rouge Foundation, Roof Technologies, Spanish Town Ladies Auxiliary, Turner Industries, Winning Every Day Starts Today Foundation, many adult burn survivors, generous donors, and current and former staff.