Hello AARBF Family. My name is Andrew Mersmann, and I am the Director of Programs and Services.

June!

What an amazing month! For AARBF, Champ Camp is finally here (June 10-17) and memories that will last a lifetime are being made in Wonder Valley (where camp is held every June).

After the largest burn camp in the United States exhausts everyone (in the best way), you might think we would stop to catch our breath, but there is SO MUCH to look forward to and we hope you’ll join us in all these other fantastic opportunities, below.

See you soon!

If you are a burn survivor and family member and wish to be added to our monthly email, please email [email protected] and indicate your region.

July 28-30, 2023

The Outdoor Trip is where participants ages 7-17 go wild with new adventures like kayaking, fishing, rock climbing, and really solidifying friendships. It’s an extraordinary event. Register today using the link below and select “Register for a New Session” then select “Outdoor Trip Camper 2023.”

Due June 30, 2023

Although summer is getting into full swing, it’s never too soon to add some ease to your school life. We are here to support you with our scholarship opportunities. The Woody and Louise Reed “Bridge to Life” scholarship provides financial assistance for burn survivors and their family members who are pursuing education after high school, whether that is at a trade school community college, college, or university.

If you are a burn survivor or family member continuing your educational road to graduate studies (a master’s degree or PhD), we are inspired by you and we want to support you, as well. Use the same application link, below, for the “Aiming Higher” scholarship to help defray some of your school expenses. Both of these academic scholarships are ways to really make your future a bit easier so you can focus on YOU and your dreams and ambitions.’

For questions regarding these two scholarships, please email us at [email protected].

Conference Dates: October 4-7, 2023
Scholarship Applications Due: August 18, 2023

While we’re on the subject of scholarships, AARBF also wants to help survivors and loved ones who are planning on attending the Phoenix Society World Burn Congress this year (October 4-7 in National Harbor, Maryland). The Burn Foundation looks to help applicants with some financial support for conference registration and hotel (based on double occupancy). Travel to Maryland, ground travel, meals, and other expenses won’t be able to be covered by us, but we hope you still get there and enjoy this incredible experience. Apply for the AARBF scholarship by using the link below and to find out all the details of the event use this link: https://www.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-wbc/

With a lot of focus on Champ Camp and all the many moving parts and the huge commitment volunteers make to creating a successful camp, we don’t want the idea to get lost about you and your impact and potentially volunteering with AARBF in ways other than camp. There are so many ways, and levels of time and commitment, to get involved if you would like to add your support to our work building an empowered survivor community. Let me know if you’re looking for ways to play: [email protected]

We have made changes to our support group registration process. Please contact Andrew Mersmann at [email protected] or 818-848-0223 Ext. 160 for all group registrations, regardless of your region.

Our Zoom rooms have changed. You will need to be registered with Andrew to receive the new Zoom links.

We are also working at restoring our regional groups to in-person. We will be happy to provide you with more information on this and address any concerns you may have.

Southern California – June 4, 2023 from 1:30pm – 3:30pm. Currently virtual, this group is available to both survivors and their family members.

Fresno Community Regional Medical Center – June 13, 2023 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members. You may also contact Marissa McCallough at [email protected] to register.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center – June 7, 2023 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members.

East Bay Burn Survivor – June 14, 2023 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members.

North Bay Burn Survivor – June 7, 2023 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members.

Saint Francis – June 29, 2023 from 11:30am – 1:00pm. Currently virtual, this group is available to both survivors and their family members.

All virtual support groups are open to out of state survivors. Please contact us to learn more.

Caregiver – June 1, 2023 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online state-wide support group for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of burn survivors. This group is closed to burn survivors.

Spanish Speaking – June 20, 2023 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. This is an online support group specifically designed for Spanish-speaking burn survivors.

Statewide – June 15, 2023 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online support group open to both burn survivors and their loved ones throughout California.

Peer Support – Not everyone is comfortable in a group setting, which is why the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation offers one-on-one Peer Support. Peer Support is a power tool for healing from a burn trauma. There is something magical that happens when one survivor sits and shares their experience and healing process with another. Peer support can relieve the feeling of being all alone in your experience. Peer support can come in many forms; a burn survivor talking to another burn survivor, a parent talking to another parent or loved one. This service is not limited to burn survivors. A burn injury can affect the entire family, caregivers and other loved ones.

Back to School Support (available upon request)