Summer camp for young burn survivors in Illinois June 18-24

MT. PROSPECT – For the last 32 years, Camp I Am Me has provided a place of acceptance and healing for young burn survivors throughout Illinois at its yearly Summer Camp, held at YMCA Camp Duncan in Ingleside. This year’s camp will be held June 18 – 24.

A signature program offered through Camp I Am Me, Summer Camp offers a range of activities for camper ages 8-20, in addition to specialized therapeutic sessions and support groups that empower them to be able to say, "I am me", despite physical and/or emotional scars that can result from receiving a burn injury.

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In this judgment-free environment, survivors can feel more open to sharing their challenges with others who have had similar experiences. Campers enjoy activities such as wall climbing, horseback riding, fishing, a high ropes course, a talent show, crafts and more – that bring them together to be supportive of one another.

"Due to a generous network of sponsors, donors and volunteers, we are able to offer this unique and empowering experience free of charge to survivors of burn injuries due to fire, electricity, chemicals and even scalding water," said Jim Kreher, the Camp I Am Me President and Fire Chief of the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District. "We invite anyone who wants to support our mission to get involved with this special journey of healing."

An overarching goal of Summer Camp, as well as other Camp I Am Me programs, is to help burn survivors build back their self-esteem and confidence. Over the last three+ decades, Summer Camp has positively impacted hundreds of lives, evidenced by campers coming back year after year, and the fact that more than a fourth of its volunteers are survivors who previously attended camp as a young person.

"It’s truly heartwarming to see how camp can positively impact these young people. It provides them with a strong support system filled with people who understand their experiences, which can change their lives for the better – both emotionally and psychologically," said Philip Zaleski, Camp I Am Me Executive Director.

Members of Illinois’ fire service and medical community, along with educators and individuals from the private sector, volunteer at the Summer Camp, where there is always a goal to have a one-to-one, volunteer to camper ratio. While Camp I Am Me has met its volunteer needs for this year’s Summer Camp, there are other ways to get involved with the organization’s mission, which can be found at campiamme.org/get-involved.

For more information about Summer Camp and other burn injury survivor support programs, as well as fire safety and burn prevention resources provided by Camp I Am Me, please visit campiamme.org.

SJO plyometric training camp is a must do for future prep athletes

The summer camp that every junior high student should take part in is Carle Sports Medicine Plyometric Training Camp. The camp is led by St. Joseph-Ogden athletic trainer Casey Hug.

The camp which is already under way runs from June 11 to July 30 twice a week every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 – 4:30pm. There will not be a session on July 4 due to the holiday. Each session is an hour long under expert supervision.

The camp is designed to introduce and teach proper exercise techniques to young athletes and focus on building a foundation to develop explosive movement, agility, and better neuromuscular control.

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St. Joseph-Ogden's Maclayne Taylor fires a shot during their Class 2A third place game against Hillsboro at the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals on Saturday. Taylor led the Lady Spartans to the program's first Final Four appearance. She is a prime example of how pylometrics can elevate a players athleticism. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

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"Proper form and control are very important," Hug points out. "Most athletes, regardless of age, lack proper hip and core strength, which makes it nearly impossible to do these exercises properly."

He added,"Most people associate core strength with doing sit ups and having a six pack. At this camp we try to work on hip, glutes, and low back strength as well."

When it comes to explosive athletes, the St. Joseph-Ogden athletic program has enjoyed more than their fair share.

Pylometrics are exercises that train an athlete's muscles to exert maximum force in short intervals of time. The goal is to increase speed, agility and strength, especially from a resting position. Explosive movement starts from having a strong, well coordinate group of core muscles working together.

Sometimes referred to as "pylos", Pylometric training focuses on learning to move from a muscle extension to a contraction in a rapid or "explosive" manner, such as in specialized repeated jumping on to platforms or over barriers.

When it comes to explosive athletes, the St. Joseph-Ogden athletic program has enjoyed more than their fair share.

"As far as explosive athletes the one that sticks out to me is Maclayne Taylor," said Hug. He pointed out there are drills performed at the camp named after her. "She did this camp for four to five years and then has helped me as an instructor the last few years.

In addition to Taylor there are three other athletes from this spring season that epitomizes the benefits of pylometric training. Bailey Dowling, Hannah Dukeman and Atleigh Hamilton are at the top of his list.

Dowling currently holds the IHSA state record for the most career home runs and will play on the United States Junior National softball team. Earlier this week she was recognized as Gatorade's Illinois Softball Player of the Year. Dowling, who is the first SJO player to earn such national recognition, earn the same honor in 2018.

Hamilton is also headed for the IHSA record books. She is back-to-back Class 1A Long Jump champion. She went 18 feet-7.75 inches, three more than her nearest competitor, at last month's state track meet in Charleston.

A two-sport athlete and leader on the basketball court, Dukeman's balance and footwork is exceptional. On the diamond she is tied for 13th in IHSA records for runs batted in an inning. She also tied for second for most doubles in a softball game with four.

"We have a lot more kids that are explosive, but these are the ones that stick out against all the competition across the state," said Hug about the Spartan program.

Another is Adam Rose, who holds the baseball school record for the most stolen bases.

Although the first week of camp is in the books. It is not too late for kids who are starting 4th grade through the 9th to start their plyo training. To register now or for more information, email Casey Hug at casey.hug@carle.com.

"I believe that plyometrics are important but making sure they are doing them with proper form/control is more important," Hug emphasized. "It doesn’t matter how high you can jump if you don’t know how to land."