When 15-year-old Ella stepped onto the plane this October with Tempe Firefighter, Nikki, she was carrying more than a suitcase. She carried the resilience and courage that earned her the title of the Arizona Burn Foundation’s 2025 Camper of the Year and the perfect representative for ABF at the International Association of Firefighter’s (IAFF) International Burn Camp in Washington, D.C.

The Beginning of Something Lifesaving

Ella’s journey with ABF began nearly four years ago, only months after surviving a lightning strike at her grandparents’ home. Her father, who watched it happen, rushed to administer CPR until first responders arrived, ultimately saving her life. Though she healed without lasting physical scars, the emotional wounds were much slower to fade.

Just months later, Ella walked into Camp Courage for the first time. She arrived nervous and unsure of what to expect. But something shifted almost immediately.

“I love that camp is a place to be your most true and authentic self without being judged,” Ella shared. “Everyone fits. Everyone is so kind and friendly—it’s a lovely environment to walk into.”

Over the next three summers, Ella embraced everything Camp Courage had to offer. She participated enthusiastically, formed deep friendships, and became a role model for younger campers. Her kindness and ability to lift others made her a natural choice for ABF’s Camper of the Year.

“Her getting selected was really no surprise to me and the whole camp really felt the same way,” Camp Courage Counselor, Nikki, said. “She’s someone who is very young, but she has a lot of wisdom. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and not only stand up for herself, but stand up for others.”

Heading to D.C. – Together

Ella was thrilled to learn that the honor meant she would travel to IAFF’s International Burn Camp, a leadership experience for burn survivors ages 14–16 from across the U.S. and Canada, and their firefighter mentors.

This meant that she would be traveling with someone she already knew and trusted —her long-time Camp Courage counselor, Nikki.

“I’ve known Nikki for three years now,” Ella said. “Her and I have always had a good relationship. She’s so sweet, and she really helped me through my anxiety on the plane. We had a lot of trust and respect for each other.”

For Nikki, being selected to represent ABF alongside Ella was deeply meaningful.

“The last night of Camp Courage, when I found out I was chosen, I was in tears,” Nikki recalled. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m really grateful the Arizona Burn Foundation saw my potential and trusted me to take a camper there. Ella was such a blast to experience it with.”

A Week of Healing, History, and Heart

For Ella, the week was a chance to connect and build lasting friendships with other teens who truly understood the challenges she faced.

“It was really cool to meet other burn survivors and hear how we’re alike and different,” she said. “I could definitely see why everyone was chosen to be there. Everyone was enthusiastic and kind—even though we’d just met.”

One of her favorite experiences was the closing circle—a space for campers to share the challenges and triumphs of being a burn survivor.

“We talked about the negatives we’ve experienced and the positives, too,” Ella shared. “I talked about being made fun of when I returned to school after my burn incident. It made me a tougher person. It taught me a lot of resilience.”

The campers also had the chance to explore the Capitol including a visit to the United States Naval Academy, the Lincoln Memorial, and the World War II Memorial.

But one of the most impactful moments of the trip came during the night tour of Washington, D.C.

“I had a lot of deep feelings seeing all the monuments, especially the ones with the names,” she reflected. “It taught me a lot about where our country comes from and how many people sacrificed themselves for what we have today.”

Between historical sites, leadership sessions, and time exploring shops with new friends, Ella described the experience as one she’ll never forget.

Looking Ahead: Leading With Heart

For many of the teens involved in this year’s camp, the trip is a stepping stone for future leadership opportunities.

Nikki reflected, “For the campers, they call them ‘young leaders,’ which I love. They’re hand-selected to represent their state and their camp. They had all these leadership opportunities to learn skills they can implement in their lives.”

Next year, Ella will take those new leadership skills with her when she returns to Camp Courage as part of the L.I.T. (Leaders-in-Training) program—a role she’s eager to embrace.

“As an L.I.T., I want to show younger campers that camp is a place where you can accept your story, learn about others, and find the most authentic version of yourself,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to the leadership activities.”

Ella’s journey is a powerful reminder of what community, compassion, and connection can do for young survivors stepping into life after trauma. Her courage inspires us—and her impact at camp continues to ripple outward.

We are incredibly proud of Ella, of Nikki, and of the entire Camp Courage family. Thanks to the support of our donors, volunteers, and partners, experiences like these are not just moments—they are milestones on the path from surviving to thriving.