Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation

Mark your calendar for the Central County Firefighters Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, June 13th! We hope you'll be there!

Each year, teams from across the valley join campers, volunteers, and VIPs for our Annual Champ Camp Chili Cook-Off. Firefighters from Fresno, Clovis, Kingsburg, CALFIRE, Kings County, Bakersfield, Dinuba, Visalia, Peace Officers from Clovis, our partners from CRMC, Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union and our alumni associate compete for Best Chili and the coveted Champ Camp Pot. Teams also build elaborate booths to celebrate each year’s theme, vying for the title Best Booth. Not to forget the chance to jump in the lake!

The highlight of midweek, the Annual Chili Cook-off, is a chance to welcome our hardworking partners to meet the campers whom they support, sharing memories that will last a lifetime.

“Each year, we spend hours perfecting our chili recipes and prepping our booth for the chance to bring home the title. And ultimately, it is the joy we see on campers’ faces, while eating chili, ringing the bell and having a summer to remember that makes it worth it.” - George A, Fresno City Fire, Local 202

Visit our Champy-On page today at: https://givebutter.com/champyon2026

On May 9th-10th, we welcomed 3 amazing new counselors to the Champ Camp family during our New Counselor Training at Wonder Valley Ranch!

Help us welcome Pacha, Maybe, and Caveman!

Throughout the weekend, they participated in ice breakers, camp and counselor training, camper management discussions, and skit groups while getting a feel for the energy, teamwork, and heart that make Champ Camp so special. It was so great watching everyone come together, step outside of their comfort zones, and already begin building connections with the camp family. Caveman really took to his name and even shared a few survival tips with the group, which was such a fun add on to the weekend.

A huge thank you as well to our dedicated program staff for leading the weekend and helping create such a welcoming and supportive experience for our new counselors.

We are so excited to have them join us for Champ Camp 2026 and cannot wait to see everyone next week to kick off our 41st year!

New items have been added to our Champ Camp Amazon wish list!

Our list is filled with supplies needed for our arts and crafts, water and unit activities for camp. The wish list is a great way for you to choose the gift you’d like to make in support of our camp program.

If you would like to help, please share the link on your social media or make a purchase today: https://a.co/0eGgXTDn

For more information, contact Erika “Kika” Mendoza at [email protected].

Memories aren’t the only things that get made at Champ Camp. Dedicated volunteers share a variety of artistic media to give campers a chance to express themselves in new and beautiful ways. From beaded necklaces, to paintings, picture frames, and digital artwork campers use these art projects to share their journey.

“The best part of Champ Camp is trying new things, the people and how everyone is so uplifting, and encouraging everyone to try new things. Not only that but I love meeting other burn survivors, knowing I'm not alone.” - Gemma G., 14

Our volunteers have put together a Wish List of supplies to bring the arts to camp. Visit https://a.co/0eGgXTDn to buy directly or donate during Champy-On to help provide our budding artists with the supplies they need.

What an unforgettable day on the course!

The 44th Annual SoCal Golf Tournament, held on May 5th, was a record breaking success for the second year in a row, raising over $55,000 to support burn survivor youth!

Year after year, John Patterson and Red Pointe Roofing make an extraordinary impact; their dedication continues to open the door for young burn survivors to experience camp —a place where healing, confidence-building, joy, and lifelong friendships grow. Our gratitude for John and the entire Red Pointe Roofing team truly knows no bounds.

Please join us in giving a HUGE THANK YOU to our hosts, participants, donors, and supporters. Your generosity changes lives!

Don’t miss out on getting your favorite Champ Camp swag!

The online store is only open for a limited time. Order today at: https://tinyurl.com/t5pprb9p

Did you know that during the week of Champ Camp the campers get to experience many activities not normally available to them?

Since moving to Wonder Valley Ranch Resort in the 80’s, Champ Camp campers have had the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of activities. From horseback riding and go-karts to archery and target shooting, campers get to try it all. The dedicated staff of Wonder Valley and our Counselors help survivors test their skills and share in their triumphs.

“My absolute favorite memory is how the campers changed over the week. Some of the campers arrived wearing long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, and even some wearing jackets (in the pleasantly warm weather). By the end of the week, those same campers were running around wearing t-shirts and shorts. You could actually see a physical and mental change in the kids. (Like a mask/burden had been dropped from them, and they could be kids!)” - Buster (1989-1994, 2000)

The donations made during Champy-On help to provide these amazing opportunities for our campers.

Visit our Champy-On page today at: https://givebutter.com/champyon2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Marissa McCallough

This month, we’re excited to recognize Marissa “Hydra” McCallough and the many ways she continues to show up for the AARBF community. Hydra first got involved as a lifeguard at Champ Camp in the summer of 2010, a role that was meant to be temporary, but quickly became something more after she fell in love with the community.

She always knew she wanted to go into nursing, but it was her time at Champ Camp that helped guide her into burn care. She later returned as a Champ Camp counselor in 2018 and has continued to grow her involvement ever since.

You can find Hydra across so many of our programs, from Young Adult Summit and Outdoor Trips to Ski Trip, Getaway, Surf Trip, Monterey Bay Aquarium Day, and Women’s Empowerment Weekend. She also stays connected through burn support spaces and continues to advocate for the community in meaningful ways.

Outside of volunteering, Hydra created “Thrift for a Cause,” hosting yard sales with support from her friends and family to raise funds for Champ Camp and help keep it going strong.

Hydra, thank you for choosing AARBF as your chosen family and for continuing to pour into this community. We appreciate you so much.

The Champ Camp Store is Open!

The online store is only open for a limited time. Order your camp swag today at: https://tinyurl.com/t5pprb9p