MRC Partners with Central VA Burn Camp

The summer months here at MRC have been full and eventful.  This summer we expanded our outreach programs to a number of new and unique youth organization.  Although all our interactions with all youth in the community are special I would like to highlight a few of the standout experiences of this summer.

The Central Virginia Burn Camp is located in on beautiful and expansive Camp Holiday Trails ground at the far south end of Fontaine Avenue.  Camp Holiday Trails hosts a variety of different camps during the summer.  The VA Burn Camp is unique in that it is a camp solely for youth who have been victims of traumatizing burns.  A representative of the camp contacted me and asked if there was any way we could host a program for their kids on site.  Of course I said yes.  It was a no brainer.  The challenge, however, was to find an activity that could a) be easily transported and set up on a camp ground and b) could include a number of kids that had varying degrees of disabilities due to their conditions.

After much discussion we decided that a beginners guitar workshop would be the best way to go.  When the time came, Cory and I loaded up the back of my car with as many acoustic guitars as we could fit.  We managed (by the grace of Swedish engineering) to fit more than ten guitars in the trunk on my Volvo.  We took off not quite knowing what to expect.  When we arrived we escorted to the camp chow hall where six kids were eagerly awaiting our arrival.  One young lady even brought her own guitar.  We quickly unloaded our instruments, began introductions, cracked a few jokes to clear any tension and newness out of the air, and proceeded with the workshop.

After talking about the different parts on a guitar and showing the kids how to properly hold one we started in on teaching them a basic blues riff.  The overall vibe was relaxed in the room.  And although a few of the kids had third degree burn scars across their hands and arms that kept them from easily depressing the guitar strings or plucking out notes, they worked patiently and diligently.  Eventually even the ones who lacked fingers strength and dexterity due to their burns were plucking away furiously trying hard to learn the pattern for the blues riff.

The workshop was scheduled to last for only one hour but Cory and I stayed for over two hours working with the group.  Even a few of the camp staff joined in and had their first experience playing a guitar.  No one really wanted the experience to end.  I sure didn’t.  It was such a happy and rewarding time.  We discussed modern music, joked about life in general.  The kids in the group had come from all over the east coast and Virginia.  Each had a unique perspective on music.  Some had never touched a music instrument in their lives.  I guarantee that they wouldn’t hesitate to pick up a guitar again.  I look forward to next summer and work with The Central Virginia Burn Camp again and hopefully putting together a multi-day program.  I’m sure the kids won’t mind a little extra music in their lives.