COLUMBIA- Camp Burnt Gin, South Carolina's residential camp for children, teenagers and young adults who have a physical disability or chronic illness, is accepting applications for staff and for children to attend the camp's 2007 season, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has announced.

"Camp Burnt Gin is open to children, adolescents and young adults with a wide variety of physical disabilities including orthopedic problems, hearing impairments, epilepsy, sickle cell disease, heart conditions, cerebral palsy and others," said Marie Aimone, camp director.

Located near Wedgefield in Sumter County, the camp is operated by DHEC's Division of Children with Special Health Care Needs. There will be four seven-day sessions for children seven through 15 years of age, two six-day sessions for teenagers 16 through 20 years old and a four-day session for young adults, ages 21-25.

Staff members, in a ratio of one for every two campers, live with the children and assist those children who require help with their personal needs and participation in the activities. Camp Burnt Gin has two nurses in residence and a physician on call for specialized medical care. Nutritious well-balanced meals are served to the children as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's summer feeding program.

"Learning opportunities and experiences provided by the camp are invaluable," Aimone said. "Camp Burnt Gin helps children to develop social skills, improve their self-esteem, increase their independence, develop recreational skills, learn to get along with others and have fun."

The camp sessions for 2007 are held in the months of June, July and August. Camper applications can be obtained by contacting the camp director, Marie Aimone at (803)-898-0455. The deadline for camper applications is March 1.

"There are also opportunities for summer employment for staff at the camp," Aimone said. "Working at Camp Burnt Gin is an excellent opportunity for someone planning a career in education, health related professions or social services to gain experience working with children who have special health care needs. The staff comes to Burnt Gin with the desire to make a difference in the life of a child. What they do not realize is the difference the children can make in their lives and how much they can learn on a professional and personal level from the children."

Summer employment this year will be from May 30-Aug. 9. Applications are being accepted for male and female counselors, waterfront staff, nature director, arts and crafts director, sports and games director and a registered nurse.

Staff and camper applications and additional information can be obtained by contacting Marie Aimone, Camp Burnt Gin Director, S.C. DHEC, Box 101106, Columbia, S.C. 29221; (803) 898-0455, or via email at aimonemi@dhec.sc.gov.