This year, the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund proudly welcomed 10 families from across the province to the annual Little Lionhearts Family Camp, a weekend dedicated to healing, connection, and support for families navigating the aftermath of a burn injury.
At the heart of Little Lionhearts is a commitment to ensuring every member of the family finds the space to heal—whether through shared experiences, emotional processing, or simply the joy of togetherness. This year, we were honoured to have a team of incredible volunteers, including firefighters, child life specialists, nurses, and adult burn survivors, who generously gave their time to create a safe and welcoming environment for the families in attendance.
One of the standout additions to this year’s camp was a brand-new program specifically designed for siblings of burn survivors. This program gave siblings a unique opportunity to connect with one another, share their personal stories, and navigate the complex emotions that come with supporting a sibling through recovery.
Activities like “News Ball” helped ease the children into sharing their news—whether it was happy, silly, or sad. The goal was to normalize the expression of a wide range of emotions and encourage advocacy for their own needs. This activity laid the groundwork for siblings to feel safe enough to share their personal experiences regarding their sibling’s injury when they were ready.
We also introduced a guided activity called “Rehearse Your Response,” where siblings practiced how to explain their family’s journey. They learned to answer questions about how their sibling was burned, how they are doing now, and how to close or change the conversation as they see fit. This approach empowered siblings to feel more confident when discussing their loved one’s injury.
To balance out the deeper emotional work, we included sensory programs like slime making. This fun, hands-on activity not only allowed the kids to relax but also helped regulate their nervous systems after the emotionally intense discussions.
Little Lionhearts is unlike any other program we offer, as it provides holistic support to every member of the family. Whether it’s the injured child, their siblings, or their parents, each person is given the tools and space they need to heal, connect, and find comfort within a community of others who understand their journey.
We’re so grateful for the support of our volunteers and the families who continue to inspire us. Thank you for being part of the Little Lionhearts Family.
