Inspired by the camp that he’s attended for the past 13 years, one Richmond man is now working on becoming a fire-fighter.
Brandon Laxa has gone to Burn Camp – which is fully-funded by the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund – since he was six years old. Now aged 19, he’s working as a junior camp councillor.
Laxa was injured in a Richmond house fire when he was four years old, leaving burns on his right and left forearms.
Without the camp, said Laxa, he wouldn’t be where he is today and that he is glad to be able to “give back” to the camp now that he is a councillor there.
“When you’re coming to camp, everyone has the same story in some sort of way,” Laxa said, explaining that just being around other kids who have similar experiences to your own allows you to feel more comfortable.
“I see (the kids), they’re having fun; they don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed about their scars. They can go swimming with their shirts off and just play and have fun and not worry about anybody judging,” said Laxa, who was awarded the Tessa Beauchamp Spirit Award at this year’s camp kickoff.
The award is given annually to a camper with exemplary spirit. Jen McElgunn, a Richmond fire-fighter and member of the Burn Camp organizing committee said that Laxa was the “clear choice” for this year’s award.
According to McElgunn, Laxa was chosen by the organizing committee because of his dedication to Burn Camp, his leadership and his positive energy. Last year, Laxa’s sister Katelin was received the spirit award.
Laxa said that his time at the camp helped him to “empower himself,” after the house fire, showing him how to accept what happened and turn the incident into something positive.
Because of that, said Laxa, he wants to become a fire-fighter.
“I had first-hand experience with what they do for work and also outside of work, just seeing them put time and effort to set up camp … and just giving their time to help support and make a fun week for all these kids,” Laxa said, adding that he wants to be a part of Burn Camp for the rest of his life.
In November, he graduated from the Justice Institute’s fire-fighting program, completed his first responder’s license and will soon be able to start applying to fire departments.
