Camp Oo-U-La is a week-long summer camp held every year specifically for burn injured children. The camp, which gives the children numerous self-esteem building activities and special events to attend, is sponsored by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and held at Camp Twin Lakes Will A Way at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder. Each year these children, who have had their lives disrupted by tragedy, get a week to spend time with peers who understand the difficulties that each other go through. For the past two years I have had the opportunity to photograph the camp for the Gwinnett Daily Post. Here are my favorite images from camp June 2010.
Narda Sigala dances and sings after lunch with her 81 fellow campers at Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park on Thursday June 11, 2010. Camp Oo-U-La is hosted by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and provides a week-long camp experience to children who have burn related injuries.
Counselor Megan Robison, left, helps tie a bracelet for Misa Brass during arts and crafts at Camp Oo-U-La on Thursday June 11, 2010. Camp Oo-U-La is hosted at Fort Yargo State Park by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and provides a week-long camp experience to children who have burn related injuries.
Campers make beaded necklaces and bracelets during arts and crafts time on June 11, 2010.
Blessing Ezeudu, left, sits on the edge of the pool at Camp Oo-U-La as Haylee Williams and Brittany Canter try to coax her in on Thursday June 11, 2010. Camp Oo-U-La is hosted by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and provides a week-long camp experience to children who have burn related injuries. This is the third year Blessing has attended camp.
Laura Bates, left, splashes Blessing Ezeudu as counselor Mckenzy Bailey tries to duck out of the way at Camp Oo-U-La on Thursday June 11, 2010. Hosted by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, Camp Oo-U-La has been giving burn-injured children a week-long summer camping experience for 18 years. This year the camp is home to 81 children from cities and towns all over the state.
Jen Hartley rubs the burn scars on Misa Brass' back during a massage therapy session at Camp Oo-U-La on Thursday June 11, 2010.
Jade Benford lays on her back during a massage therapy session given by Jen Hartley, right, and some of her Camp Oo-U-La cabin mates on Thursday June 11, 2010. Hosted by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, Camp Oo-U-La has been giving burn-injured children a week-long summer camping experience for 18 years. This year the camp is home to 81 children from cities and towns all over the state.