Youth Health Exploration Camp
Vital Signs: Inspiring Tomorrow's Nurses and Healthcare Professionals Today
The Youth Exploration Summer Camp is a free, hands-on, immersive experience designed for middle school and high school students interested in healthcare, science and helping others.
Come learn hands-only CPR, work with our hospital simulator, and enjoy a campus tour and free daily meals.
This is not a lecture camp — students learn by doing. Hosted at UDM’s Simulation, Technology and Research Center (STAR Center), this camp introduces students to healthcare careers through simulation, teamwork, innovation and real-world experiences.
Who should attend?
- Middle school students are curious about healthcare and science
- High school students exploring healthcare careers or college pathways
- Students interested in nursing, medicine, physical therapy, PA programs, dentistry, and optometry
No prior experience required — just curiosity and willingness to learn
What will campers experience?
Clinical & Healthcare Skills
- Measuring vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature)
- Listening to heart and lung sounds using simulation equipment
- Understanding heart rhythms and EKG basics
- Medication safety and wound care demonstrations
Simulation & Teamwork
- Patient simulation scenarios
- Simulation escape room challenges
- Interprofessional teamwork and communication
- Capstone simulation experience
Emergency Response
- Hands-only CPR
- AED awareness
- Team-based emergency scenarios
Communication & Accessibility
- American Sign Language (ASL) for healthcare settings
- Patient-centered communication
- Team huddles and reporting
Health Innovation
- Nutrition and community health discussions
- Four-day hydroponics project
- Physical therapy
Resilience & Leadership
- Stress management strategies
- Emotional awareness in healthcare
- Leadership and teamwork skills
- Study tips & more
College & Career Exploration
- Guided UDM campus tour
- STAR Center simulation lab exploration
- Meet healthcare professionals and college students
- Learn what it takes to pursue healthcare careers
Interprofessional Education
This camp is aligned with the nationally recognized IPEC Core Competencies:
- Values & ethics
- Roles & responsibilities
- Interprofessional communication
- Teams & teamwork
Free 2026 Youth Health Exploration Camp
Camp Theme: Exploring Healthcare Careers Through Teamwork, Technology and Compassion
Location: UDM's McNichols Campus, in the College of Health Professions' STAR Center
Dates - Middle School: July 20-24
Dates - High School: July 24-31
Camp time: 8 a.m - 4 p.m.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Deadline to Apply
Applications will be accepted until the camp is filled.
Cost
Free. Camp includes bags, t-shirts, breakfast and lunch.
More information
Please contact either
- Timelia Davis davistj@udmercy.edu or
- Nutrena Tate tatenu@udmercy.edu
For All Campers
- Full-day experience with breakfast, lunch and snacks provided
- Small-group learning with trained faculty and facilitators
- Age-appropriate curriculum with increasing complexity
- Capstone presentation & certificate ceremony
Engage
Participants will explore emergency services including CPR, trauma & medical emergencies, and first responder wellness. Students will participate in hands-on activities that simulate real life experiences in a healthcare setting.
Youth Health Exploration camps are designed around career exploration and provide fun, hands-on activities that promote nursing and other health professional careers.
Participants will learn basic clinical skills such as learning to use a stethoscope, taking vital signs and learning how to do assessments via realistic, simulated scenarios using virtual reality headsets.
Empower
Activities are designed to increase the knowledge, creativity, and critical-thinking skills that build confidence and inspire students to become part of the ever-changing world of healthcare.
Promotes college readiness to participating students by sharing valuable information and best practices related to college application.
Experience
Our Youth Health Exploration camp is a safe and welcoming space for your child. Each parent or guardian is invited to meet with our students, student-peer mentors, faculty, staff and administration in the STAR Center on the first day of camp.
Participants will spend one day at College of Health Profession in our state-of-the-art Health STAR Center participating in different hands-on simulations relating to the area of healthcare.
Experience a campus college tour and discuss college readiness and resiliency building.
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The Day's Schedule
- 8 - 8:40 a.m. — Registration/Breakfast
- 8:40 - 9 a.m. — Transition/Computer survey
- 9 - 9:20 a.m. — Welcome and Icebreaker
- 9:20 - 10 a.m. — Hands Only/First Aid CPR
- 10 - 10:10 a.m. — Pass Time
- 10:10 - 11 a.m. — Exposing Health Care Careers (Engaging activities)
- 11 - 11:05 a.m. — Pass Time/Snack Break
- 11:05 - 11:30 a.m. — Admissions/Campus Tour
- 11:30 - 11:35 a.m. — Pass Time
- 11:35 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. — Lunch
- 12:30 - 12:40 p.m. — Pass Time
- 12:40 - 1:40 p.m. — Simulation Activities
- 1:40 - 2 p.m. — Pass Time/Snack Break
- 2 - 3:30 p.m. — Last Session College Readiness
- 3:30 - 3:45 p.m.— Transition/Computer survey
- 3:45 - 4 p.m. — Audience Engagement Exercise, Evaluation and Wrap Up