Camps, Retreats and Outings
Camps, outings and retreats include age-appropriate services to support healing and wholeness for burn survivors and their families
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Camps, outings and retreats include age-appropriate services to support healing and wholeness for burn survivors and their families
Our camps provide safe environments for burn survivors and their families. In addition to our camps, we host retreats (for young adults, adults, and women) and adventures for burn survivors of all ages.
Dates: Jun 07-14, 2025
Who should attend: Ages 5-17
Location: Sanger, CA
Transportation: Pick up locations
Fees: N/A
Champ Camp play, learn, grow, build self-esteem, and make friends in Sanger, CA
Who should attend: Families
Location: Coarsegold, CA
Transportation: Pick up locations
Fees: $25.00
Family Getaway Camp is a three-day, residential family fun camp held near Yosemite at Camp Oakhurst in Coarsegold, CA. Family-centered activities featured at the camp include ropes course, horseback riding, crafts, archery, paintball, campfire, and support groups. For safety reasons some activities have height and weight restrictions. Our focus is to support burn survivors and their families as they navigate through their healing journey. Camp provides a safe environment in a rustic environment where families can play, learn, grow, build self-esteem, and make new friends. Participants will be assigned cabins that have both heating and air conditioning. Most cabins have bunk beds and some have showers.
Staff
Professional counselors and volunteers staff the camp. Many of the staff are burn unit nurses, adult burn survivors and firefighters. All staff is fully screened to ensure a safe environment.
Practical Information
A cost per person of $25 may be required. This event is held over Labor Day weekend. Arrival to camp is 2:00pm on Saturday and departure is Monday after breakfast. Families are responsible for their own transportation to camp. Angel Flight is available but seats are limited to 20 persons. Additional information will be sent with your registration confirmation and as the time to camp nears, we’ll send more information about transformation options.
Packing list – 1 piece of luggage per person.
Restrictions
Open to burn survivors who have been treated at California hospitals or are current residents of California. Event limited to 150 campers. Requires health form and registration.
Requirements
Open to burn survivors who have been treated at California hospitals or are current residents of California. Burn survivors may bring up to 4 individuals with them. Adult burn survivors may only bring a spouse or domestic partner and your own children. Child burn survivors may only bring their parent(s) and siblings living in the same home. No pets are allowed.
Professional and peer support for your healing journey in a safe environment.
Who should attend: Ages 16-20
Location: Cambria, CA
Transportation: Pick up locations
Fees: $25.00
Young Adult Summit offers professional and peer-to-peer support to young adults ages 16 to 20 as they navigate personal journey as burn survivors. The Summit was created to meet the unique challenges associated with growing up with burn injuries and mentors participants as they transition into various chapters of young adulthood.
Workshops and exercises are designed to engage teens in life skills, team building, and leadership. Burn survivors gain tools and new knowledge on a variety of applicable life topics that include budgeting and finance, automotive and home repairs, public speaking, health and nutrition, and many more.
The Young Adult Summit is also the first step for young adults who want to participate in the Champ Camp Counselor in Training Program (CIT).
Who should attend: 21+
Location: Cambria, CA
Transportation: Self provided
Fees: $25.00
Our Adult Retreat Weekend offers professional and peer-to-peer support for burn survivors to learn about the healing process and to promote healing, self-discovery and socialization. In a loving, supportive family atmosphere the weekend provides a safe place for burn-injured adults to get away from stares and unwanted attention and soothe the emotional and physical pain of a burn injury.
Across the weekend participants have the opportunity to meet others, who have been through similar experiences, and through activities and workshops learn, share and meet challenges on their healing journey. In addition to learning and self-actualization, the retreat leaders ensure that the weekend includes fun for all. Many retreat participants the workshop every year, and Champ Camp children often graduate to participate in this event.
Who should attend: Women 18+
Location: TBD
Transportation: Self provided
Fees: $25
The Women’s Empowerment Retreat addresses an urgent need to address the unique needs of female burn survivors inspired by the research and therapeutic conversations of Dr. Ruth Rimmer, who has worked in the field of burn injury for 28 years, and Cindy Rutter, a renowned marriage, family therapist and burn survivor.
The weekend offers a safe environment for female burn survivors to address challenges of body image, intimacy, relationships, self-esteem, and anxiety. Through counseling and peer connections the retreat helps participants face challenges while empowering them to realize their full potential. The weekend is full of love, connection, and community, with a focus on women uplifting and empowering other women.
Our recreational adventures offer safe and supportive environment for recreation. Tailored to children, adults or families the trips focus on fun and making connections with other burn survivors.
Who should attend: Ages 7-17
Location: Bear Valley Resort
Transportation: Provided
Fees: $5.00
Ski adventure is a fun filled weekend for burn survivors’ ages 7-17. The main activities are skiing and snowboarding. Participants are required to try one of the sports and participate the lessons provided by trained professionals from the resort staff. The weekend offers an opportunity to learn a new skill, feel a sense of accomplishment and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Our goal is for each participant to enjoy activities, laugh, connect with others and make new friends.
The weekend is made possible through the generous support from the Bear Valley Resort and the Ebbetts Pass Fire Department.
Packing List
Who should attend: Ages 5 and under
Location: Monterey, CA
Transportation: N/A
Fees: $5.00
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Adventure lets youngsters explore sea creatures and spend time playing in the park connecting with other families and new friends. The event is open to burn survivors from Northern and Central California.
The event features both indoor and outdoor activities and children should be dressed appropriately.
Dates: Jul 25-27, 2025
Who should attend: Ages 7-17
Location: Calaveras Big Tree National Forest
Transportation: Provided
Fees: $5.00
The Outdoor Trip is a weekend adventure filled with kayaking, rock climbing, and fishing in Alpine Lake. It is an opportunity for youth to learn new skills, helping to provide a sense of accomplishment while enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors. Our goal is for each participant to experience a weekend full of challenge, success, laughter and friendship. The event is open to burn survivors from Northern and Central California.
Packing List
Who should attend: Ages 9-20
Location: Morrow Bay, CA
Transportation: N/A
Fees: $5.00
Our beach adventure is held in beautiful Morrow Bay, CA and offers a safe environment open to burn survivors ages 9-20. During the 3-day event offers a range of activities from sand castle building to surfing and general fun in the bay.
Staff
AARBF personnel and volunteers staff the adventure. In addition, experienced surfers, and certified life guards are on duty to ensure the safety of our attendees. All staff is fully screened to ensure a safe environment.
Packing List
Who should attend: 21+
Location: Long Beach/Monterey, CA
Transportation: Not provided
Fees: $5.00
At our kayaking adventure in Northern and Southern California, adult burn survivors and guest spend the day kayaking, in Monterey and Long Beach, CA (at Kayaks on the Water). The event offers an opportunity to get together with other burn survivors and their friends and to enjoy a day of fellowship and fun. No prior experience is necessary. Kayaks, safety gear and a picnic lunch are provided.
Packing List