Camp BUCKO is a fun, safe and caring camp program free to kids ages 7 to 17 with burn injuries. Our residential setting encourages campers to participate in a variety of social, recreational and therapeutic activities that promote self-esteem, the development of leadership skills and fosters personal growth. At Camp BUCKO, kids have a place where they can be themselves without feeling different or alone.

Camp BUCKO provides an opportunity for children recovering from burn injuries to meet other children who share similar feelings and experiences in a camp environment. Camp gives these children temporary freedom from the everyday frustrations of being burned, a chance to share their stories and to bond with each other. Most of all though camp is a place to have fun and learn new things. It is a benefit for children in these circumstances to attend a program such as this to build self-esteem to cope with life beyond their burn injury.

Camp Aims and Goals:

• to have a fun filled outdoor adventure
• to create a sense of community by providing a place where campers can learn about themselves and others with similar experiences
• to introduce campers to dynamic role models by including adult burn survivors as Camp BUCKO volunteers
• to promote each child’s unique abilities and strengths as steps in enhancing self-acceptance
• to promote opportunities to learn about working in groups as well as in one-on-one interactions among peers of the same and opposite sex

Our volunteers are amazing and are the key to a successful Camp BUCKO program! Camp volunteers come from all walks of life. They are often adult burn survivors, firefighters, physio/occupational therapists, social workers, teachers, business persons, nurses, and other adventurous souls. Each year all Camp BUCKO volunteers must complete an application form, submit a recent photo and obtain a current and clean Vulnerable Sector Screening Police Check. New applicants must provide two positive references who will be contacted by our Volunteer Co-ordinator(s). The applicant will be interviewed by a Volunteer Co-ordinator who will select camp volunteers based on the needs of our camper registrations. All volunteers must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
All BUCKO volunteers will be asked to sign contracts with Camp BUCKO and attend a mandatory orientation program in the spring of each year.
Our BUCKO volunteers will have clearly defined roles at camp and will be expected to commit to that role for the entire camp week. Debriefing sessions will be held each evening to review and openly discuss the experiences of the day. For a description of our volunteer positions, please click on the “Volunteer” ribbon.

The recovery from a burn injury is both emotionally and physically painful and without your support we would not be able to consider the needs of our young burn survivors. We at Camp BUCKO rely on support from the community and your support / understanding will help us provide an exciting program for our young burn survivors. It is our goal to continue to support our young burn survivors and minimize their challenges throughout their young lives.