Dozens of teen burn survivors spent an enriching week in early October exploring the Washington, D.C., area as campers attending the annual IAFF International Burn Camp.
Each year, regional burn camps across the United States and Canada select exemplary teens and their counselors to participate in the International Burn Camp, an all-expenses-paid trip to the Nation’s Capital for a week-long camp experience.
Hosted by the IAFF Foundation, the camp provides a nurturing environment for the teens, ages 13-15, to make new friends and gain the confidence they will need as they grow into adulthood.
Phil Tammaro, IAFF Burn Coordinator and burn survivor, said the 2025 crop of campers was thriving during their tour of Washington, D.C., sites.
“In just a few days, you can already see the connections forming, campers and mentors sharing stories, meals, and new experiences together,” said Tammaro, a retired fire captain from Billerica, Massachusetts, and IAFF Local 1495 member.
The campers hail from hometowns large and small – Chilliwack, British Columbia; Eclectic, Alabama; San Diego, California; Owasso, Oklahoma; Belfast, Maine; and Gilbert, Arizona. They experienced a week of firsts: first plane ride, first time away from home, first opportunity to visit a big city among peers, and bonding over shared experiences.
The campers arrived on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Camp Wabanna, a picturesque compound along the Chesapeake Bay in Mayo, Maryland.
Throughout the week, the campers visited the sites around D.C., including Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian museums.
On the first day, the campers enjoyed a BBQ lunch in the bays of the Chinatown Firehouse, hosted by the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation, captured in news footage by NBC 4 Washington.
Kristi Bartlett, a paramedic with Fairfax County, VA Local 2068, volunteers her time to serve as a camp counselor to teen burn survivors. On the regional level, she works with the Fire and Ice Camp, funded by the Portland (Maine) Firefighters Children’s Burn Fund.
This year, Bartlett was paired with burn survivor Charlotte Martinelli, 15, of Portland, to attend the International Burn Camp.
In just a few days, you can already see the connections forming, campers and mentors sharing stories, meals, and new experiences together.
IAFF Burn Coordinator Phil Tammaro
He added, “This camp is not just about healing, it is about growing together, building confidence, and discovering the strength that comes from community. These young survivors and their mentors are already showing us what resilience and leadership look like.”
“I really love seeing these young men and women begin to find themselves and build confidence, no matter their physical appearance. They are getting ready to live in this world, and they should not be ashamed of the way they look,” said Bartlett. “The International Burn Camp is special because, as a counselor, I can see them quickly forming bonds of friendship with peers from all over. They will leave this week with friends and memories for a lifetime.”
For her part, Charlotte said she has made fast friends while at the camp: “I met these other girls, and we just quickly started hanging out. We all have our good days and bad days, but it has been great just seeing other campers tough it out and grow stronger.”
Like many teens, Charlotte is beginning to think about what she would like to do as an adult. She has considered becoming an anesthesiologist, but after touring the U.S. Naval Academy with her fellow campers, her eyes have opened to serving in the U.S. military.
The International Burn Camp’s success depends on the efforts not just of the IAFF Foundation, but also regional IAFF affiliates, including Washington, DC Local 36; National Capital Federal Fire Fighters Local F-121; and Anne Arundel County, MD Local 1563.
The camp also depends on the dedication and compassion of IAFF members, nurses, and adult burn survivors who volunteer their time to ensure the campers have a fun and rewarding experience.
