Health Professions Exploration camp offers hands-on experience for middle schoolers

KOKOMO, Ind. - Do you know a middle school student interested in health care?

Register them for an inside look at careers in nursing and beyond at the Indiana University Kokomo Health Professions Exploration camp, planned for June 22-26 on campus.

Leigh Swartzendruber, director of the RN to BSN track and clinical assistant professor of nursing, and Christy Douglas, director of the occupational therapy assistant program and clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy, lead the interactive camp for students entering grades 7, 8, and 9. It will include an introduction to a variety of professions, including nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, radiology and medical imaging, psychology, dentistry, social work, and pastoral care.

"We want to introduce them to IU Kokomo and get them thinking about health care careers, which are very in demand right now," Swartzendruber said, adding that Indiana's current shortage of health care workers makes creating a pipeline of future professionals critical.

They chose middle school because of new diploma tracks that require them to decide what kind of career they want as they enter high school. Campers will meet with IU Kokomo academic advisors to discuss high school classes needed for future health care professionals.

"This gives them an introduction to college and potential careers and helps them plan what high school path they need to take," she said.

Each day of camp will be themed around various health care careers, with activities led by IU Kokomo students, including hand-on experiences in nursing, dietetic sciences, occupational therapy, and more. Campers will take a field trip to Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo and participate in a panel discussion with professionals in fields like physical therapy, social work, optometry, and nurse practitioners.

Cost is $50, which includes a camp T-shirt, lunch each day, and activities. The camp is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 22-26, meeting in the Kelley Student Center. Campers may register at go.iu.edu/5NhRIn. Scholarships are available.

IU Kokomo's Health Explorations camp is sponsored by the North Central Indiana Area Health Education Center, which has a goal of recruiting and retaining a health professions workforce committed to underserved populations.

For more information about the camp, go to kokomo.iu.edu/nursing-allied-health/exploration-camp.