SPRINGDALE — A firefighter who has participated in the Arkansas summer camp for burn victims was chosen to represent the state at a camp that serves children nationwide.
Justin Pinkley is attending the International Burn Camp in Washington, D.C. The camp serves children ages 13 to 15 who are burn victims and who live in the United States and Canada. The camp starts today and runs through Sept. 28.
Pinkley was chosen after being a counselor for seven years at Arkansas’ version, Camp Sunshine. A representative of the children who attend the camp also is chosen to go to Washington each year.
“I was a little unsure the first year,” Pinkley said, “but now I’m hooked for life. You really see the kids come out of their shell.”
Camp Sunshine is open to children ages 4 to 17 who have suffered burns over 10 percent of the body or have significant scarring on the face or hands.
“Some of them have lost arms or legs. They’ve had large skin grafts,” Pinkley said. “People look at them like they are aliens.”
Being around kids with similar problems helps the camp participants gain confidence, Pinkley said.
Sunshine Camp is held in connection with the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Burn Center and is sponsored by the Arkansas Professional Firefighters Association.