National Burn Camp August 2011

Another week spent in the company of lovely children and loyal volunteers. Once again the Annual Camp was amazing and everyone enjoyed themselves. Everyone arrived on Sunday, 7 August all excited at meeting again the friends they had made the year before and some meeting their friends of many years of attending Burn Camp.

Sunday was an easy day unpacking and making themselves feel at home, introducing themselves to the new young burns survivors who they will be spending the week with. The first night is always a late one as everyone has to get used to sleeping in the dorms. 
On Monday the activities started some were doing wind surfing while others were doing activities such as raft making, the Grafham Challenge, wall climbing and many other activities that will be going on throughout the week. 

On Tuesday night we were lucky enough to be going with Kimbolton Roltary Club to Alconbury Air Field where we were welcomed with a large selection of TVR cars, a firetruck and a police car, much to the excitement of the children (and volunteers) everyone had a go in the TVR cars being driven at a rather fast speed over taking the firetruck and police car. Then the children were taken by Drive Right Driving School along the runway (unused of course) in control of the cars, of course these were dual controlled cars so maybe they thought they were in control.

On Wednesday it was our usual open day/fun day for supporters and sponsors to come and join in with the children and see where their sponsorship goes to help the charities involved. The fun day consisted of various bouncy castles and a water slide in which the local fire service sprayed down with their big water hoses getting everyone soaked. Then Grafham laid on a lovely BBQ for all to enjoy. After a fun packed day the children went to bed ready for a good night's sleep (thank goodness). 

Thursday's activities were the usual during the day but in the evening we went to the Oasis Swimming Pool at Bedford where everyone took part and enjoyed the freedom of having the whole swimming pool to ourselves it was truly a brilliant evening.  

Friday, as usual a sad day, as we all know we will be going home tomorrow but this year was different as we had the exciting chance to fly real planes, this was organised by Jim Dalton.  The weather started off very cloudy and we were a bit worried that the day wasn't going to happen, but luckily enough the sun shone through and everyone had a brilliant day experiencing the feeling of flying a plane. In the evening it was disco time and all the youngsters and adults spent hours getting ready to boogie on down making the most of their last night together. When the time came for the evening to end it was very sad and everyone said there goodbyes till next year. 

I would like to thank you to all the volunteers that give up their time to make this event possible not only this week, but the time they spend raising the money for this week to happen. Also to the St Neots Engine Pull, Kimbolton Roltary Club, and the Bourne Flying Club for making it possible for these youngsters to enjoy and to experience something different on this wonderful week away. Once again this year was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. 

Thank you 

Pat Wade