You can see them smile as soon as they walk off the bus. Greeted by the sight of 99 shining Harley Davidsons and 20 sparkling hot rods, 70 of B.C.'s young burn survivors start flashing huge grins at the prospect of being taken for a spin on the back of their machine of choice.
"It's definitely one of the highlights of their stay," said B.C. Summer Burn Camp director Tony Burke. "The opportunity to ride in a hot rod or Harley is something they really enjoy. Both of these groups [the B.C. Hot Rod Association and the Vancouver Chapter of the Harley Owners Group], make them feel extra special. They feel free and have loads of fun."
At the five-day camp at the North Vancouver Outdoor School (NVOS) in Paradise Valley, the 70 children and 46 counsellors participate in group activities such as swimming, hiking, kayaking, rafting, a skit night, arts and crafts, a trip to Whistler, a sea safari in Horseshoe Bay, and many other games and activities.
It all adds up to tonnes of fun for these brave young burn survivors, who come back year after year to see old friends they've met through the camp, and, naturally, to take a ride on the awesome machines.
"To see the smiles on the kids' faces is just awesome," said B.C. Hot Rod Association President Tom Whiffin. "I don't know who's smiling bigger, the drivers of the cars and bikes or the kids. But it's the volunteers who make these kids happy. You can't say enough about them - they do such a great job."
Thanks to the generous support of caring firefighters, hospital staff corporations, foundations , and civic groups like the B.C. Hot Rod Association (BCHRA) and the Harley Owners Group (HOG), the camp is free for each and every kid.
"Our goal is to have a really fun day and to make enough money to start off camp for the following year," said Gerry Rooyakers, HOG Safety Officer and head coordinator of the Burn Ride. "We just want to put a smile on a kid's face and raise enough money."
Rooyakers has been involved with organizing Harley rides from Vancouver to the camp at the NVOS for five years now, and said it has grown into a hugely popular event for all the kids.
"Every year we bring gifts to the kids and they love it. The first year, in 1999, we had 30 bikes, now we've got a hundred. They love to get on these bikes and cars and go for a ride, and we're just happy to make it possible."
Josh Hysop, 10, who was burned in a house fire when he was three years old, likes arriving at the camp to get a ride and also likes coming back to the Burn Camp year after year.
"I like coming here because I get to ride on motorcycles and hot rods," said Josh. "They give us rides and I like to come back and see some of my old friends and have some fun."
For the riders and hot rodders, one of their highlights comes when all of the kids vote for their favorite bike and car. The best car award went to Barry Watson, owner a wicked-looking 1949 purple-flamed Ford Mercury gangster car named 'Original Sin'. The best bike was awarded to a blue Harley trike, driven by a classic bearded bike man named Walter.
Watson and Original Sin, along with the rest of the riders and classic car drivers show up every year for one main reason.
"We come for the kids, plain and simple," he says.
