By Glenn Rolfe

FRANKFORD — Traditionally, the Delaware Burn Camp is each August at Camp Barnes, a facility operated by the Delaware State Police and offered to other groups.

“We’re a nonprofit organization that holds a camp annually every summer,” Burn Camp director Vance Dougherty said. “It’s generally the second week of August for any child between the ages of 6 and 18 who has fallen victim to burns.”

However, this year, there’s good and bad news, said Ron O’Neal, president of the Millsboro Fire Co. and the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association.

“Fortunately or unfortunately, ... depending on how you look at it, there were not enough campers, and the Burn Camp has been canceled this year,” he said.

The 2024 program was scheduled to run Aug. 5-10.

During the Camp Barnes Benefit Stock Car Race at the Georgetown Speedway on Thursday, Mr. Dougherty was on hand in the Burn Camp’s trailer, promoting the service.

“That’s why we are here, just promotion and spreading the word to get our name out there, so we can help any kid who needs a free camp to go to,” he said.

The camp is available free to about 60 eligible children every year, but “we’ve never hit that many,” Mr. Dougherty noted.

Transportation is provided to and from, he added. “So, the whole Delmarva region — Virginia, Delaware and Maryland, southern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. The hardest part is getting the kids to actually sign up and come, and finding kids that qualify.”

He went on to explain those qualifications.

“Anybody who has been burned at any level — it doesn’t have to be a serious burn. You can get burned by coffee, chemical burns, sunburn,” Mr. Dougherty said. “As long as you got treated by a doctor, you qualify, (with) a note that you were seen by a doctor for a burn of any sort. ... You don’t have to have scars or debilitating injuries.”

The mission is “getting kids together who have been through that same experience to kind of show them that they can do all the same stuff everybody else does,” he added.

The camp is staffed by volunteers and supported 100% by private donations. Participants experience horseback riding, fishing, crabbing, kayaking, canoeing and a trip to a waterpark.

“A lot of the ladies auxiliaries from the fire departments provide all the food. All the food is catered and delivered to us,” Mr. Dougherty said. “And all the fire departments help spread the word.”