Abbotsford resident Cassidy Phillips thankfully doesn害羞草研究所檛 remember much of the scalding injury that occurred when she was one that left parts of the right side of her body scarred.

But when she was younger she did notice stares of judgment and repeated questions about what happened. It was through those uncomfortable situations that Phillips eventually learned about herself and directed her to the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Association害羞草研究所檚 Burn Camp.

The Burn Camp is made possible through fundraising events such as the Hometown Heroes Lottery.

Phillips said when she was about six years old when her reluctance to participate in a swimming lesson due to her scarring was noticed by her swimming instructor害羞草研究所檚 sister, who was a firefighter in Abbotsford.

害羞草研究所淪he brought my parents aside and told them about the Burn Camp that happens every year and that she thought I would really benefit from attending,害羞草研究所� the 2014 W.J. Mouat grad recalled.

About three years later Phillips mustered up the courage to go, and she said the camp experience changed her life.

害羞草研究所淚 really liked that no one was staring at me,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚 didn害羞草研究所檛 constantly get questions and I was just able to be a kid and enjoy summer. It害羞草研究所檚 nice to know there were people who had gone through the same things as me and we could share our stories.害羞草研究所�

Burn Camp is very similar to a traditional summer camp, with planned activities, sports and campfires. The only difference is that all the attendees have suffered injuries from burns.

Phillips was hesitant that first year, but she found she instantly loved the experience and returned every summer.

害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 know where I害羞草研究所檇 be if I didn害羞草研究所檛 end up attending the camp,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a place where I felt understood without even having to say a word. I know that it takes place for only one week out of the year, but I hope people don害羞草研究所檛 underestimate the positive effect that it has on the campers.害羞草研究所�

Phillips aged out of the camp when she turned 18, but still attends every year in her role as a camp counsellor. She said in some ways being a counsellor is even more fulfilling and adds to the experience.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e been able to see kids as young as six years old start off the week as shy or introverted and by the end they害羞草研究所檙e laughing and so much more outgoing,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e also made a bunch of new friends and they just bring that positivity home with them and grow as a person.害羞草研究所�

She said the ultimate goal of the Burn Camp is to help make the attendees realize they are more than what people see on the outside.

害羞草研究所淚 came across a quote once that said 害羞草研究所業害羞草研究所檝e never met a strong person with an easy path害羞草研究所�, she said. 害羞草研究所淚t stuck with me and I feel scars don害羞草研究所檛 represent weakness but strength. At a young age I wasn害羞草研究所檛 happy with the cards I was dealt with in life but I realized I can害羞草研究所檛 change the past but I do have some control over the future.害羞草研究所�

It害羞草研究所檚 through that attitude that Phillips has decided to enrol in the practical nursing program at UFV. She is scheduled to graduate later this year. She said her interactions with nurses as a burn victim and throughout her life shaped that decision.

害羞草研究所淚 wouldn害羞草研究所檛 have been able to have gone though what I did without the nurses that cared for me so that害羞草研究所檚 why I decided to pursue a career in nursing,害羞草研究所� she said.

Tickets for the Hometown Heroes Lottery sold out on Friday, but there are several early bird and summer draws occurring in June and July. The grand prize draw occurs on Aug. 17. For more information, visit heroeslottery.com, or to donate to the Burn Fund, visit burnfund.org.