Jumpline MAG_Spring 2026 - Flipbook - Page 25
Camp Tequesta
Jack Swerdloff, Ret.
have many life-enhancing experiences that
will help them learn, grow and develop.
The burn camp allows children that have
been burned to realize that they are not the
only ones with burn-scarred bodies. The
camp provides an environment where children can share their feelings about being
burned, realizing that others have had similar experiences, forget that they look different and know that they are “someone
special”. Although the camp is once a year,
we maintain contact throughout the year
with the children with parties, barbeques,
emails, Facebook and the like. It is a very
exciting time for us to make changes in
these children’s lives (and ours). None of
our volunteers are in a paid status and we
depend on contributions only.
The Children’s Burn Foundation of Florida, Inc. is a non-pro昀椀t organization dedicated to addressing the needs of children
who have suffered severe burn injuries.
Made up of representatives from local
昀椀re service organizations, hospitals, and
businesses, Children’s Burn Foundation
provides special programs which focus
on assisting children and their families in
rehabilitation, social adjustment, and motivation to facilitate main streaming them
back into society as productive people.
The life of a child who has suffered a
severe burn injury is changed from the
moment the 昀椀re occurs. The psychological impact on a burned child is often more
painful than the physical injury itself.
Each year there are two million burn injuries in the United States of which are one
million are children. Fire and burn injuries are the second leading
cause of accidental deaths in children aged one to four, and the
third leading cause of injury and death in ages one to eighteen.
Over 100 children a day are being treated in emergency rooms
for kitchen and scald burns alone. Although we cannot lessen
the pain and suffering of a burned child we can all join together
to help send a burned child to camp.
The Children’s Burn Foundation of Florida, Inc. is
the 昀椀rst statewide burn camp of its kind in Florida.
We are a 501 (c) (3) nonpro昀椀t organization that bene昀椀ts children
to enjoy “a weekend of memories” and meet new friends.
Our camp, “Camp Tequesta” meets every November for four days at the Florida Elks Youth Camp in
Umatilla, Florida in a camp like setting. Every child has
his/her own adult buddy to accompany them for the weekend.
Fire department personnel, burn units, educators, burn survivors, corporate representatives, and many dedicated friends
make up our buddy/staff volunteers.
We have enjoyed great success with this program and always
look forward to attending each year. Last year, we invited 55 children, buddy and staff volunteers from California, Florida, Georgia, Texas and from across the pond – London, England.
You can see This year’s camp Schedule. (Create a QR Code)
By attending burn camp, children that have been burned will
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Additionally, we provide gift cards, college, medical and hardship scholarships. For example, along
with providing funds to further our kid’s education, we have purchased a powered medical scooter, new clothes and gift cards
for those facing challenging times.
We also have fundraisers year-round where the buddies/staff
and the children, (including their families) are invited to attend.
We sponsor the following programs annually – girls to attend
the Angel Face program, a child and their buddy to attend the
International Association Fire Fighters Burn Foundation’s Burn
Camp in Washington D.C., a child and their family to attend the
World Burn Congress and a young adult and a buddy to attend
Oklahoma’s Young Adult Conference. Every year the list grows
for conferences to attend.
THE GOALS OF THE BURN CAMP ARE:
To provide a lifetime of memories.
To provide an opportunity to make choices and be independent.
To develop new skills.
To develop new friendships and renew old ones.
To provide the special attention the burned children desire.
To provide GOOD OLD-FASHIONED FUN! I hope you
昀椀nd this information educational. We appreciate your interest. My
name is Carrol Ann Stankovitz. My email is castankovitz@gmail.
com. My cell number is 561-756-6119. Tax ID 85-801250814C-7
Spring 2026 | JUMPLINE Magazine
