LINACY, N.S. – Matt Jardine rolled his Harley-Davidson into the Linacy Fire Department and parked alongside dozens of other motorcycle enthusiasts.
“This is my first year here,” said the Westville-area resident, one of the bikers who would later head to Scotia Glen campground to offer rides to campers who are part of the week-long burn camp taking place all week.
“It’s good for the kids and it’ll be good to see the smile on their faces,” he said, adding that he expects that tides on the two-wheelers (and a few trikes) will make them forget about their problems for a little while.
“For sure – it makes me forget about mine.”
Dave Collier is a director with Camp Connect, which oversees the annual camp for children and adults that have suffered burn injuries.
“We’ve been coming up here for the last 20 years, with Scotia Glen (campground) hosting the camp up here,” he said.
“With the bikers coming in, (the kids) love this. This is I think our fourth year doing (the bike rides). The kids really look forward to it, and you can see the smile on the biker’s faces as they come in.”
Tuesday’s bike run was one of many activities the campers will experience during the course of the week. Also on the agenda were trips to Melmerby Beach and Victoria Park in Truro, a Fun Day with local firefighters, a carnival day, craft activities and support group meetings.
Those support group meetings, Collier said, are one of the biggest takeaways from the week.
“It gives them a chance to share their experiences with each other,” Collier stated.
“That’s the whole idea, especially with the children.
“It gives them an opportunity to meet other children, where they can share their experiences and how they’ve dealt with issues growing up. That’s what they’re carrying away from this – knowing they’re not alone.”
The camp attracted about 41 children and adults this year (Collier said not all of them are burn victims, as some were invited guests of the campers), from across the three Maritime provinces.
He said having adults at the camp can be helpful in that they can share with the children what they’ve gone through: how they navigated their teenage years – which can be difficult enough without the added pressure of dealing with cosmetic imperfections – and making their way into adulthood. Sometimes, it works both ways, Collier went on to say: adults who might be more reserved in their approach with others can be drawn out by talking with young people about things they’ve gone through.
“Some of them will say it’s one of the most important weeks of the year for them.”
The Red Knights Motorcycle Club (Chapter 6, based in Pictou County) presented a check for $3,000 to the cause on Tuesday at the Linacy fire hall; the club raised $700 and Sobeys added $2,300 toward the fundraiser.
