Posted: 6/6/2016
Annual camp lets ‘kids be kids,’ free from stares
Justin Everett was 8 years old when he first attended Parkland Health & Hospital System’s camp for children with burn injuries. For the next eight years he eagerly anticipated the first week of June and getting together with others like him. Camp was, after all, a place free from stares, questions and a place where kids could be kids.
Everett, who was burned over 33 percent of his body, primarily on his legs, spent years as a camper before becoming a counselor at Camp I-Thonka-Chi, which is Choctaw for “a place that makes one strong or fearless, not afraid to face life.” Held at Camp John Marc near Meridian, Texas, the Parkland Burn Camp is celebrating its 25th anniversary. More than 60 campers are expected to attend this year’s camp, which runs from Sunday, June 5 through Friday, June 10.
This year also marks the silver anniversary of Camp John Marc which hosts year-round programming and has specialized camp facilities uniquely designed to serve campers living with chronic medical and physical challenges.
“When you’re there you see kids with burn injuries and you realize you’re not alone,” Everett said. “It’s cool not feeling like you’re separated from others because of your injuries.”
As a result of his injury, Everett spent two months in Parkland’s Burn Intensive Care Unit and endured several surgeries. It was there he learned first-hand about the caring, compassionate nurses who work in Parkland’s Burn Center. That desire to help others was never far from Everett’s thoughts and after a brief stint in the hospitality industry today he is a registered nurse in Parkland’s emergency department.
“When I was in nursing school I looked for a program that included a rotation in the burn unit. I wanted to be able to give back a little of what I got,” Everett said, noting that during his rotations he reconnected with one of the Parkland nurses who had cared for him when he was an inpatient.
Although he won’t be attending this year’s camp due to a scheduling conflict, Everett said it’s not just the children who look forward to the week-long camp. Adults become kids at heart as they too participate in horseback riding, canoeing, swimming and archery, among other activities that last from dawn to dusk.
Donna Crump, Parkland physical therapy manager and co-founder and director of Camp I-Thonka-Chi, concurs.
“We’ve had counselors and chaperones who have come back year after year to be with the kids during camp,” Crump said. “Everyone looks forward to it and many plan their vacations around coming to camp. It’s really hard to describe the impact that Camp I-Thonka-Chi makes on you emotionally and spiritually. It’s something that lasts a lifetime.”
Camp I-Thonka-Chi welcomes children ages 6 to 18, and unlike some other charity programs, it is not supported by a national organization. Children can attend for free thanks to the generous donations of Parkland employees and area donors. Camp John Marc also helps with fundraising so more children can attend. During the weeklong event campers build friendships, improve social skills and simply have fun without being self-conscious of their scars or injuries.
Established in 1962, the Parkland Burn Center is the second largest civilian burn center in the nation, providing care to more than 2,200 patients annually. Serving North Texas and surrounding areas, this comprehensive burn center is one of only 62 verified burn centers in North America and the only one in North Texas, and provides all services from emergency treatment to intensive care to rehabilitation and outpatient follow-up care.
Learn more about Camp I-Thonka-Chi or to make a donation, please visit the Parkland Foundation.