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More Scenes from Camp Oo-U-La in LeAnne Akin's gallery in the Ccommunity section of this website.
news@barrowcountynews.com
Camp Oo-U-La took over Will-A-Way at Fort Yargo State Park last week as Camp Twin Lakes welcomed the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation camp for burned children. Volunteers assisted in the week of special activities.
Due in part to fundraising by local fire departments including those in Barrow County, the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation-sponsored camp is free to any Georgia resident ages 7-17 who has suffered a burn injury requiring treatment or hospitalization in a Burn Center. Children who have been treated or hospitalized in one of the Bum Centers in Georgia, but who live elsewhere, are also eligible to attend.
Camp Oo-U-La, in its 17th year, was back at Will-A-Way after years at Rock Eagle, and a special treat involved a limo ride through Winder.
Camp experience enhanced by volunteer efforts of fire, medical personnel, others
The laughters and screams of excitement could be heard at Will-A-Way Recreation where youngsters at Camp Oo-U-La were busy with an afternoon of field day fun.
Above the music played by Polk County EMS’ Shannon Bailey, Mr. September on the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation 2008-09 fundraiser calendar, the shouts of encouragement for fellow team members could also be heard.
Hall County Fire Capt. Scott Cagle was among the fire and emergency services personnel from across the state participating in the supportive efforts for Camp Oo-U-La’s media day May 27.
Cagle said having one of their own firefighters, Angie Roach treated at Grady Burn Unit, the fire victim services of the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation have even greater meaning.
The first camp was a three-day venture which Virginia Miller prayed would be beneficial to the children and be successful. Beyond her wildest dreams, Camp Oo-U-La is now in its 17th year, and welcomes 100 burn-injured children along with 100 volunteers to a weeklong camp experience.
For Miller, the expansion in volunteer support from the fire and emergency services and medical communities, especially the Grady Burn Unit, comes from the fact that the adults "get blessings tenfold."
Miller said the opportunity for the firefighters and nurses to see the end results of their efforts as the children are playing and enjoying themselves, in spite of remaining scars – some visible, others not.
Among those on the Camp Oo-U-La board in attendance at the media event was Elaina Hall, RN, BSN Clinical Manager at the Grady Health System Burn Unit.
Campers Rachel Hight, Shannel Butt and Blessing Ezeudu were among the participants. Hight has attended the camp before at Rock Eagle.
A longtime camper is Chenetrics Glynn, who has been involved with Camp Oo-U-La for 14 years. Now 20, she is now involved with the Young Adult Retreat.
Barrow County Fire & Emergency Services Lt. Scott Dakin, who is also and Children After the Fire Coordinator, enjoyed the camp experience as well.
"I had such a great day. They just kept getting me involved all day and it was after 10 that night before I finally left," said Dakin, who was on the run at one point after a young man who targeted him for a shaving cream application. "It was an amazing day hanging with the kids."
