About Us

The Children’s Burn Foundation of Florida, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of young burn survivors. Founded by representatives from local fire service organizations, hospitals, and businesses, our mission is to address the unique needs of children who have suffered severe burn injuries.

Our primary goal is to offer opportunities for young burn survivors to see and interact with others who have had similar experiences, helping them realize they are not alone. The psychological impact of a severe burn injury is often more painful than the physical injury itself. Each year, there are approximately two million burn injuries in the United States, with one million affecting 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 children aged one to eighteen. Over 100 children a day are treated in emergency rooms for kitchen and scald burns alone.

The Children’s Burn Foundation provides special programs focused on assisting children and their families with rehabilitation, social adjustment, and motivation to reintegrate them into society as productive individuals. Although we cannot eliminate the pain and suffering of a burned child, we can join together to help send them to camp.

Camp Tequesta, the first statewide burn camp of its kind in Florida, meets every November for four days at the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, Florida. This camp provides a weekend of unforgettable memories, allowing children to meet new friends and enjoy various activities in a supportive environment. Each child is paired with an adult buddy, including fire department personnel, burn units, educators, burn survivors, corporate representatives, and other dedicated volunteers.

Our program has been highly successful, and we look forward to it every year. Last year, we invited 55 children and volunteers from across the United States and even London, England. The camp helps children realize they are not alone, share their feelings, and see that they are “someone special.”

Throughout the year, we maintain contact with the children through parties, barbecues, emails, and social media. None of our volunteers are paid; we rely solely on contributions. We also provide gift cards, college, medical, and hardship scholarships. For instance, we have funded further education, purchased powered medical scooters, and provided new clothes for those facing challenging times.

We organize year-round fundraisers, inviting buddies, staff, children, and their families to attend. Annually, we sponsor various programs, including sending girls to the Angel Face program, a child and buddy to the International Association of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation’s Burn Camp in Washington D.C., a family to the World Burn Congress, and young adults to Oklahoma’s Young Adult Conference.

Our goals are to provide lifetime memories, opportunities for independence, new skills, and friendships, as well as the special attention burn survivors need. Above all, we aim to offer good old-fashioned fun!

Join us in our mission to support these brave young individuals. Your contribution can make a significant difference in their lives and ours.