For the past several years, the Local 2960 have been involved in helping provide resources and time to the volunteers involved with this annual event. We are happy to extend an invitation to all of our members who wish to be further involved to apply for a camp Counselor or camp Staff position. You must be available to attend the camp from Saturday June 11th to Saturday June 18th as well as one of two mandatory orientation sessions held before hand.

The rewards for volunteering are irreplaceable. A former member of the Local 2960 and long time supporter of Camp Courage, Dianne Haws had this to say:

“Seeing what these kids go through and how they continue to have a positive attitude, you start to realize that all the petty things we complain about are nothing. It is a grounding experience for my life, and reminds me of what’s really important, and refocuses my priorities.”

If you would like to volunteer for Camp Courage, please visit http://azburn.org/volunteer for details.

Volunteers from the fire department’s alarm room have been working at the camp for the last several years, and have been using their personal vacation hours to be able to make the trip. This year, however, the Local 2960 has agreed to allow these dedicated union members to attend the camp with out loosing their vacation hours.

Dianne Meyer is this year’s Activities Coordinator and has been involved with the camp for the past eleven years. Being able to get the time off to attend the camp usually has meant using 40 or more hours of her own vacation.

“When I had to use my vacation time I was having to choose between spending a vacation with my family or making a difference in the community. It’s a huge relief to not have to make that choice.”

The request for assistance was made by Rae Olk, a steward for the fire department. This will be her 6th year as a volunteer at Camp Courage. She was quick to point out that the Local 2960 has always given generously to support the camp.

“The union has gone above and beyond this year, as they have done in past years. They help us through financial donations, supported us as we collected books for the camp library,” Olk said. “Whatever we have asked for, they’ve given us double.”

For dispatcher Sam Lopez, it provided an opportunity to participate and still take the time to recover before her next shift. Admittedly a little nervous about her first year as a volunteer, she knows that “councilors come home exhausted from the experience, but also very happy that they went.”

Rae agreed, adding that “you are drained, but also immediately looking forward to the following year to do it all again.”

According to Sam, “It’s all about the kids. They get the chance to get away from the hospitals, the doctors and the treatments. They get to be normal kids and not looked at funny just because they have burn injuries.”

“Seeing what these kids go through and how they continue to have a positive attitude, you start to realize that all the petty things we complain about are nothing,” Dianne said.  She added that it is a grounding experience for her and her life. “It reminds me of what’s really important in life, and refocuses my priorities.”

Camp Courage runs from June 13th to June 19th, and takes place at the Pine Summit Campground in Prescott, AZ. The mission of the camp is to “provide a safe camp environment which fosters personal growth and development, promoting confidence and self esteem of youth burn survivors.”

How You Can Help!

The councilors making the trip this year have lots in store for the attendees. Regular camp activities include horseback riding, swimming and a  challenging ropes course which snakes through the trees.

A theme night entitled “Create Your Own Superhero!” is also planned. Camp Courage is looking for any kind of costume supplies for this theme activity. Wigs, clothing, accessories, face paint… anything kids can use to dress up.

Campers also have access to a camp store, where they can redeem tickets given out for competing in various activities around the camp. (Kinda like the rewards counter where you might redeem ski-ball tickets in an arcade.) The camp store is also always in need of small toys, trinkets, candy or snacks. Also needed are a few “big ticket” items to encourage kids to combine their tickets as a cabin to purchase something they can all use together.

If you would like to help out by donating any of these items, please contact Steve Ryan at steve.ryan@afscme2960.org and I’ll make arrangements with you personally.