Camp I Am Me

What Camp I Am Me does

Camp I Am Me, operated by the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 and headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois. The organization provides free, year-round programs for burn survivors of all ages across Illinois, including a one-week Summer Camp at YMCA Camp Duncan for ages 7-17, Camp Encourage family camp for ages 0-6, the Strive to Thrive Young Adult Retreat for ages 18-25, the Healing Wild Trip for adult survivors, Links of Hope Support Groups hosted at Loyola University Medical Center, Family Days, and a Winter Gathering. Programmatic offerings are delivered with nearly 1:1 counselor-to-camper ratios and 24-hour medical coverage, supported by hundreds of volunteers from the fire service, healthcare, and general public. The organization is staffed by a small core team of three (Executive Director Philip Zaleski, Program Coordinator Leslie Metcalf, and Community Outreach Coordinator Jenny Tzortzos).

The organization's underlying technology is not technology-based; it is a service delivery model centered on in-person programming, partnership-based venues, and volunteer-driven execution. Its secondary mission is fire prevention, executed through the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program (in partnership with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal), Prevention Matters Grants to Illinois fire departments, Bath Buddy Thermometers distributed to hospitals, and a Social Media Toolkit. Scholarship programs include the Phoenix Scholarship Program ($6,250 each), Caper Brown Memorial Scholarship (with the From Tragedy to Triumph Foundation), and World Burn Congress Scholarships (with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors).

Camp I Am Me generates revenue through a diversified mix of individual donations, corporate sponsorships (including Sprinkler Fitters Local 281, Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, Johnson Controls, and Bartlett Lions Club), government grants (notably a $314,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant in 2024), fundraising events (Golf Classic, Ducky Dash, Boot Day, Fire Prevention Week Luncheon), and merchandise/license plate sales. All survivor programs are provided at no cost to participants, eliminating price as a barrier but creating dependence on donor and grant cycles. Geographic reach is primarily Illinois with select national elements (World Burn Congress, Healing Wild Trip to Nevada).

Name

Camp I Am Me

Legal name

Illinois Fire Safety Alliance

Website

https://ifsa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Camp I Am Me, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operated by the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, delivers free burn survivor support programs and fire safety education to children, adults, and families across Illinois through camps, retreats, support groups, and statewide smoke alarm initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Burn Survivor Support Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

Keywords

• Burn survivor support
• Fire safety education
• Youth summer camp
• Community prevention programs
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Prospect

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission to provide burn survivor programs and fire safety education.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support various programs, events, and camp activities including t-shirt sponsors, corporate sponsors for summer camp activities, and event sponsors.
3. Government Grants: Funding from government sources such as the 2024 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant of $314,000 for the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program.
4. Fundraising Events: Revenue from events including Golf Classic, Ducky Dash, Boot Day campaigns, and other fundraising activities.
5. License Plate and Merchandise Sales: Camp I Am Me license plate fundraiser and merchandise/apparel sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Camp I Am Me, operated by the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers free year-round programs for burn survivors of all ages, including a one-week overnight summer camp at YMCA Camp Duncan for ages 7-17, a family camp for ages 0-6, a young adult retreat, adult healing trips, monthly support groups, and scholarship opportunities. The organization also administers community fire safety prevention resources including the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program, prevention grants for fire departments, and educational toolkits.

Product overview

Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of free burn survivor support programs and fire safety education resources. The core survivor programs include Summer Camp for youth ages 7-17, Camp Encourage (Family Camp) for ages 0-6, the Strive to Thrive Young Adult Retreat for ages 18-25, Winter Gathering, Links of Hope Support Group, Healing Wild Trip for adults 23+, and Family Days events. Scholarship programs include the Phoenix Scholarship Program, Caper Brown Memorial Scholarship, and World Burn Congress Scholarship. Prevention resources include the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program, Prevention Matters Grant program, Social Media Toolkit, and Bath Buddy Thermometers. All survivor programs are provided at no cost to participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Be Alarmed!: Smoke alarm installation program administered cooperatively between Camp I Am Me and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal
• Strive to Thrive: Beyond the Burns
• Camp Encourage
• Healing Wild Trip
• Links of Hope Support Group
• Phoenix Scholarship Program
• Caper Brown Memorial Scholarship

Products and services

• Summer Camp A free, one-week overnight camp held at YMCA Camp Duncan in Ingleside, Illinois, for burn survivor children and teens ages 7-17, providing adaptive activities, climbing tower, high ropes course, pool, and 24-hour medical coverage with a nearly 1:1 counselor-to-camper ratio to build confidence, independence, and friendships.
• Camp Encourage (Family Camp) A free weekend family camp held at Grand Bear Lodge in Utica, Illinois, for burn survivors ages 0-6 and their families, offering age-appropriate activities and parent learning sessions focused on helping children heal physically, emotionally, and socially.
• Strive to Thrive: Beyond the Burns (Young Adult Retreat) A free weekend retreat held at YMCA Camp Benson in Mount Carroll, Illinois, for burn survivors ages 18-25 focused on building self-esteem, job application and resume skills, body positivity, relationships, and the transition to adulthood.
• Winter Gathering A free end-of-year family-friendly event held at Brookfield Zoo for current and past Summer Camp participants and the entire burn survivor community, featuring holiday lights and zoo activities.
• Links of Hope Support Group Free monthly support group meetings hosted at Loyola University Medical Center's Burn Unit conference room in Maywood, Illinois, for burn survivors of any age and their families, with discussion topics specific to burn injuries and recovery.
• Healing Wild Trip A free week-long healing adventure trip to Lake Tahoe, Nevada, for adult burn survivors ages 23 and older, focused on rediscovering voice and self-advocacy through nature experiences in partnership with American Wild Horse Conservation.
• Family Days Free support programs held at various venues for burn survivors of all ages and their family members, providing opportunities to socialize, receive peer support, and enjoy family-friendly activities.
• World Burn Congress Scholarship Scholarships awarded to Illinois burn survivors and their family members to attend the Phoenix Society's World Burn Congress, covering conference registration, travel, and lodging.
• Caper Brown Memorial Scholarship Scholarship administered in partnership with the From Tragedy to Triumph Foundation for burn survivors accepted into accredited post-secondary institutions, awarded based on essay, academic performance, community service, and economic need.
• Phoenix Scholarship Program College scholarship program providing financial assistance of $6,250 each to college-aged Summer Camp attendees and Leaders-in-Training participants who face economic barriers to post-secondary education.
• Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program Fire safety education and smoke alarm installation program administered cooperatively with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, distributing smoke alarms and educational materials to enrolled Illinois fire departments for installation in at-risk homes, funded in part by a 2024 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant of $314,000.
• Prevention Matters Grant Grant program awarding $1,000-$5,000 to Illinois fire departments for community-led initiatives addressing local fire and burn risks throughout the state.
• Social Media Toolkit Downloadable content including graphics, statistics, messages, and videos provided free to the public for sharing fire safety and burn prevention information across social media platforms.
• Bath Buddy Thermometers Free bath water thermometers distributed to Illinois hospitals with maternity units or babysitting classes to help reduce infant scald injuries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1:1 counselor-to-camper ratio ensures personalized attention
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• From Tragedy to Triumph Foundation (FTTTF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Created and administers the Caper Brown Memorial Scholarship for burn survivors pursuing post-secondary education. Supported by Camp I Am Me, funds are provided to those with financial need accepted into accredited institutions.
• YMCA Camp DuncancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991YMCA Camp Duncan has been the home of Camp I Am Me's Summer Camp since 1991. Located in Ingleside, Illinois on 300 acres alongside Fish Lake, the camp provides facilities for overnight camp including cabins, climbing tower, high ropes course, pool, and health center. The camp is nationally accredited through the American Camp Association.
• Loyola University Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLoyola University Medical Center hosts the Links of Hope Support Group for burn survivors, providing venue and facilities for monthly meetings. The group meets third Tuesday of each month at the hospital's Burn Unit conference room.
• Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative partnership administering the 'Be Alarmed!' fire safety education and smoke alarm installation program. OSFM provides funding and support for distributing smoke alarms to fire departments throughout Illinois.
• Phoenix Society for Burn SurvivorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamp I Am Me has provided scholarships to Illinois burn survivors to attend the Phoenix Society's World Burn Congress for 20 years. Scholarships cover conference registration, travel, and lodging for survivors and family members.
• American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the Healing Wild Trip program, teaching participants about wild horse conservation issues and how advocates work to protect wild herds. Participants learn about self-advocacy through studying conservation advocacy.
• YMCA Camp BensoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Strive to Thrive: Beyond the Burns Young Adult Retreat. Located in Mount Carroll, Illinois on 113 acres with forest and Wakarusa River, the camp provides traditional camp setting for retreat activities.
• Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory BoardmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 85th Annual Fire Prevention Week Luncheon. Supports recognition of fire safety and burn prevention efforts across Illinois.
• Johnson ControlsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFun Fair sponsor for summer camp activities. Provides support for carnival games, activities, and experiences for young burn survivors at camp.
• Illinois Fire Service OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of fire departments and fire service organizations (IFCA, FSWI, IAFPD, OSFM, IFA, MABAS, IFSAP, Metro Chiefs, IFIA, NIPET, NIAFPD, IPFA, IAAI IL) that participate in summer camp as sponsors and volunteers, supporting burn survivor community.
• Bartlett Lions ClubmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Fire Apparatus Parade at summer camp, supporting the event that brings over 50 fire service vehicles to celebrate campers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Burn Foundation: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit offering burn prevention education and survivor recovery programs including camp experiences. Comparable mission, funding mix (donations and grants), and program portfolio of prevention + survivor support.
• Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors: National nonprofit dedicated to empowering burn survivors and their families through peer support, education, and advocacy. Directly comparable as the leading national burn survivor support organization; Camp I Am Me already partners with and provides scholarships to Phoenix's World Burn Congress.
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: California-based nonprofit providing prevention education and survivor support services, including a residential summer camp for child burn survivors. Highly comparable model of regional burn survivor camp programs funded by donations and fire service partnerships.
• Children's Burn Foundation: Los Angeles-based nonprofit supporting child burn survivors with medical care, social-emotional support, and camp experiences. Directly comparable in serving pediatric burn survivors with free programs funded by donations and corporate sponsorships.

Broad incumbents

• SeriousFun Children's Network: Global network of camps and programs serving children with serious medical conditions and their families. Comparable camp-based delivery model for medically vulnerable children, though not burn-specific.
• Hole in the Wall Gang Camp: Founded by Paul Newman, this nonprofit provides camp and year-round support for children with serious illnesses and their families. Comparable free residential camp model for medically impacted youth, though broader in condition scope.
• Shriners Hospitals for Children — Burn Care: Specialized pediatric burn care hospital system providing acute treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up support including camp programs. Comparable in serving the burn survivor population but as part of a broader healthcare delivery system rather than a focused nonprofit.

Regional players

• Camp Courageous of Iowa: Iowa-based nonprofit providing year-round camp programs for individuals with disabilities and special needs. Comparable free camp delivery model for a vulnerable population, with similar reliance on volunteers and donations but focused on disabilities rather than burn injuries.

Emerging players

• American Burn Association: Professional association advancing burn care, prevention, and research. Comparable in burn prevention focus and recently awarded Camp I Am Me; serves as a convener across burn survivor organizations rather than a direct program operator.

Others

• Illinois Fire Inspectors Association: Professional association for Illinois fire code inspectors that has recognized Camp I Am Me for burn prevention leadership. Comparable in fire prevention mission and Illinois fire service ecosystem presence, though focused on inspection and code enforcement rather than survivor support.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/campiamme
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@campiamme
• Facebookfacebook.com/CampIAmMe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinois-fire-safety-alliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/campiamme

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Camp I Am Me