Two counselors were burned on Friday at a summer outdoor leadership academy put on by Sweetwater County School District # 1, Rock Springs Police Department, and Sweetwater BOCES.
Charlsey Knezovich and Sarah Merhar were both burned after the liquid fuel for a camp stove used for CAMP FEAT ignited for still unknown reasons, according to a release from Sweetwater County School District #1.
Knezovich suffered what were initially described as second degree burns. She was transported to Lander Regional Hospital and was later flown to a burn center in Denver.
An update from the Police Department says Knezovich has started the recovery process and is expected to make a full recovery.
“Our family would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and support,” Knezovich said in a release.
Sarah Merhar, the Girls CAMP FEAT coordinator for the District, suffered burns to her forehead in the incident. Merhar was able to hike out of the area in the Bridger-Teton National Forest with Knezovich and was the one who initially took her to the hospital.
Merhar has returned to the camp and joined the other counselors to complete the weekly sessions with students.
No students or other adults were injured.
CAMP FEAT is a program for students of secondary school age that puts them in an outdoor camping environment where they learn skills related to outdoor recreation, team building and relationship management. The program has been conducted for a number of years beginning during the 1999-2000 school year.
Along with members of the District’s teaching and classified staff, members of the Rock Springs Police Department and other adults serve as counselors. Some counselors include former participants who have graduated from Sweetwater School District #1.
This is the first time such an accident has occurred at CAMP FEAT.