Camp Phoenix Comes to Chattanooga

A very special group of young people came to Chattanooga Wednesday.

The children of Camp Phoenix have all suffered second or third degree burns.

The camp lets them experience what typical kids do.

Sometimes being a kid isn't all that easy.

But for the kids of Camp Phoenix right now it's a little simpler.

Brittany Screasman of Clinton, TN says, "We do so many things and when you come to camp nobody will make fun of you or anything."

Brittany is one of 15 campers this year.

Wednesday they took a trip to Chattanooga's Fire Station 1, the Tennessee Aquarium, and IMAX Theater as part of the camp's day trip activities.

For the past seven years the camp in Liberty, TN has helped children overcome their severe burns.

Director Judy King says, "It's a chance for them to come out, a week to spend with other kids, not have to think about their injuries, their scars..."

King should know.

Her daughter was a former camper.

Judy says this camp reached her daughter in ways she couldn't, "It's real important for them to realize that there are people out there who are like... who have been through what they've been through. And that they have friends out there no matter what."

Judy says you can't really relate until you've been through it.

She gets to watch these children turn from shy, scared kids to bubbly, outgoing young people, "It's also a chance for them to talk to other kids who have been through what they've been through or are about to go through."

One week a summer these kids come together and thanks to the Tennessee Firefighters Burn Foundation it's at no cost to their parents.

For Brittany and her new friends...it's a chance to just be kids, "We get to go swimming in the lakes, on jet skis, and inner tubes, and go boat riding, and swimming. We get to make crafts and watch movies. Bunch of stuff."

Camp Phoenix is open to all children with second or third degree burns.