10 Medical Summer Camps for Middle School Students
Are you a middle school student with a curiosity about medicine and healthcare? Imagine spending your summer immersed in the world of medicine, where you get to don a lab coat, experiment with medical technology, and learn about real-world healthcare challenges. Imagine spending your summer immersed in the world of medicine, where you get to don a lab coat, experiment with medical technology, and learn about real-world healthcare challenges.
These camps are designed to help students develop essential skills like critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving, all while igniting a passion for medical science. By engaging with medical professionals, conducting experiments, and exploring health-related topics, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what a career in healthcare entails.
Beyond the thrill of learning new skills, attending a medical summer camp can provide you with early exposure to the field, helping you make informed decisions about your future academic path. By the time you're selecting high school courses or extracurriculars, you’ll already have a head start on your peers.
Ready to jumpstart your medical journey? Here's a list of 10 medical summer camps for middle school students!
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA, or Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost:
Residential: $2,898
Commuter: $1,498
Additional $250 Medicine course supplement
Dates:
Session 1: July 7 - 12, 2024
Session 2: July 14 - 19, 2024
Session 3: July 21 - 26, 2024
Session 4: July 28 - August 2, 2024
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Applications have now closed for the 2024 cohort.
Eligibility: Students who have completed 6th grade of middle school by the program start date and have a 3.0 GPA (or local equivalent) for all programs.
This five-day in-person camp at UC Berkeley or Georgetown University is designed to introduce middle schoolers to the world of medicine through interactive, hands-on learning. This immersive program allows participants to develop critical medical skills like CPR, setting splints, and stopping bleeds using realistic simulations and expert guidance.
Working in collaborative teams, students will research patient histories, diagnose conditions, and create treatment plans, gaining practical insights into emergency medicine. Highlights of the program include triaging cases in simulated emergency room scenarios and engaging with leading emergency medicine specialists. The experience is enriched with academic excursions and guest speakers who share their expertise, encouraging students to explore potential careers in the medical field. Field trips to nearby medical centers and guest speakers further enrich this educational journey, giving you a glimpse of potential medical careers.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 (Financial Aid is available)
Dates: 8-week sessions offered in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on selected cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8 can apply.
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an 8-week virtual mentorship experience designed for middle school students to engage one-on-one with a mentor, allowing them to delve into their academic interests and develop a project they are passionate about. The mentors in this program are scholars from leading research institutions, including Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE. This program offers a personalized learning experience, allowing students to explore fields such as STEM, medicine, or other areas of interest in a highly interactive format.
The program, which is rigorous and fully virtual, was established by Harvard alumni. Need-based financial aid is available for eligible students. You can explore different fields within STEM and Medicine while building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. During this program, you will build your project and prepare for your further academic path. For more information, please refer to the application in this brochure!
Location: Multiple locations throughout the U.S., and also offered online.
Cost:
$1,148 (1 week) or $2,296 (2 weeks) for commuter students.
$1,620 (1 week) to $3,510 (2 weeks) for residential students.
$450 (1 week) to $900 for online students (2 weeks).
Costs do not cover travel, personal expenses, or meals.
Dates: Sessions available from June to August (1-week and 2-week options)
Application Deadline: Accepting applications until seats are full.
Eligibility: High-achieving students entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the upcoming Fall semester and current 5th-grade students transitioning to middle school are eligible to apply.
Middle school students participating in MPP’s summer intensive program are immersed in a journey into medicine at a prestigious university campus. The curriculum offers a comprehensive overview of the medical field, covering pre-med foundational courses and college readiness workshops. The program enables students to dive into collegiate life over one or two weeks, spending eight hours a day engaged in rigorous learning and exploration.
From understanding the healthcare system in America to insights into medical school and becoming a competitive applicant, students gain invaluable knowledge. They receive First Aid and CPR training, tour nearby hospitals and clinics, and engage in service-learning projects. With courses like Introduction to Careers in Medicine and tours of medical schools, students gain first-hand exposure to the medical profession, setting a solid foundation for their academic and career aspirations.
4. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC): Middle School Medicine and Healthcare Summer Program
Location: American University, Washington, D.C., or University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $2,795 (residential) and $2,395 (commuter). Scholarships are available through NSLC.
Dates:
American University: July 8 - July 13, 2024 | July 16 - July 21, 2024
UC Berkeley: June 17 - June 22, 2024 | June 26 - July 1, 2024
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until all spots are filled
Eligibility: Open to students in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade, age 11 and up.
The NSLC Middle School Medicine and Healthcare Summer Program offers hands-on simulations and engaging workshops to explore the world of medicine. Students will dive into activities like dissections, learning about vital signs, giving medical sutures, and understanding muscle groups for injections and their functions in the body. This program provides an opportunity for students to learn these essential healthcare skills through exciting simulations and interactive workshops.
Participants will also develop leadership and teamwork skills while engaging in simulated emergency room scenarios and learning the importance of bedside manners. Off-campus excursions feature trips to renowned museums and historical sites, enhancing their overall experience. Check out the sample schedule for the 2024 camp here!
If you’re interested in learning more about NSLC, you can look at our blog, which covers NSLC in depth!
Location: Morehouse University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $800
Dates: June 3 – June 28, 2024 (4 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
Eligibility: Rising 5–8th graders are eligible to apply.
The MSM STEAM Academy is a four-week summer program designed to provide students with an enriching learning experience featuring pre-exposure to grade-level content aligned with Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). In addition to core academic instruction, students participate in thematic programming that spans topics from engineering and technology to health and wellness, all aimed at enhancing their understanding of these fields.
The program also incorporates inquiry-based activities that reinforce the curriculum, making it relevant to everyday life. Highlights of the MSM STEAM Academy include routine dissections, interactive lessons with healthcare professionals, and virtual field trips to renowned science museums. Students also engage in coding and app development, creating mobile applications related to healthcare, further fueling their interest in medicine and technology.
The program culminates in student presentations of science projects they developed, showcasing their learning to families, faculty, and staff at Morehouse School of Medicine.
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost: $2,195 (includes camp fee, camp shirt, snack, lunch, and all materials). Need-based scholarships are available.
Dates: July 29 - August 9, 2024
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. 2024 admissions are currently full.
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in neuroscience can apply.
UCI Brain Camp is an immersive summer program designed for middle and high school students passionate about neuroscience. This two-week, full-day camp offers a deep dive into the fascinating world of brain science through engaging workshops, hands-on laboratory activities, and experimental research. Participants are introduced to the fundamentals of neuroscience, including brain and spinal cord anatomy, sensation and perception, learning and memory, brain-machine interfaces, neuropathology, and neuropharmacology.
Throughout the camp, students will work with cutting-edge tools and technologies such as electrophysiology, brain imaging, animal models, and more in UCI's state-of-the-art neuroscience labs. In addition to lab work, the program includes workshops on experimental design, data analysis, scientific communication, and neuroethics. Campers will also be mentored by UCI faculty, PhD students, and undergraduates, gaining insights into college life and careers in neuroscience. During the second week, students will create their own experiments, analyze the data, and present their results to an audience of UCI neuroscience faculty, students, and their families. This process helps them develop key skills for future academic success.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $275, not including transport to and from campus.
Dates: Session 1: July 15 - July 19, 2024 | Session 2: July 29 - August 2, 2024 (Choose one of the two 5-day sessions)
Application Deadline: May 31, 2024
Eligibility: Middle school students between 5th to 8th grade are eligible to apply.
In this 5 day-course at UCSD, middle school students will explore the vital role pharmacists play in community health and gain insight into the daily challenges they face through unique hands-on activities. This program provides opportunities to apply essential STEAM skills like communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving while addressing scenarios aimed at improving patient outcomes.
Before diving into activities, students will be introduced to pharmacy careers and the wide range of opportunities available in the field. During the course, students will interact with guest experts, learn about prevalent medical conditions such as asthma and allergic reactions, and practice using medical devices like EpiPens and inhalers.
One of the program's highlights is the creative side, where students customize medications for fictional patients like superheroes or aliens, making learning both fun and educational. By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid foundation in pharmacy and healthcare, along with a new appreciation for the role of science in medicine.
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost: $150 (scholarships are available)
Dates: July 8 - July 9, 2024 | July 10 - July 11, 2024
Application Deadline: April 18, 2024
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 13 and 17 are eligible to apply.
4-H Animal & Veterinary Science Camp at MSU offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the fields of animal and veterinary science through interactive, hands-on learning. This pre-college program is a great option for those passionate about animal care and veterinary medicine, providing a comprehensive introduction to animal health and science.
During the camp, you’ll practice veterinary techniques, explore zoonotic diseases, and learn how veterinarians diagnose and treat various conditions in animals. Field trips to MSU's farms and research facilities will deepen your understanding of animal science, giving you firsthand experience in a real-world veterinary setting.
Throughout the experience, campers engage in activities designed to deepen their understanding of animal science, making it a rewarding and immersive experience for aspiring veterinarians and animal science professionals. You can find further details and a sample schedule for the 2024 camp here!
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Cost: $700 per week for day students, $1,350 per week for residential students (price varies by camp)
Dates: July 2024 (exact dates depend on selected camp)
Application Deadline: May 1st, 2024. TBA for 2025.
Eligibility: Middle or high school students are eligible to apply.
The UNH Tech Camps offer a project-based learning experience that introduces students to the world of science, technology, engineering, and medicine. These camps focus on a variety of fields, such as cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, forensic science, and regenerative medicine, making it a great choice for students passionate about STEM and healthcare.
This year, groundbreaking projects funded by a National Institutes of Health grant are centered on regenerative medicine and biofabrication, offering exciting opportunities for students with a passion for medicine. With options for both day and residential students, this camp offers flexibility and a deep dive into exciting STEM topics, including those related to healthcare.
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: $650 per session (including lunch). Need-based scholarships are available.
Dates:
Session 1: Insect and Pollinator Behavior (July 8 - July 12, 2024)
Session 2: Engineering Rockets (July 22 - July 26, 2024)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
Eligibility: Rising grade 6-8 students are eligible to apply.
Wildcat Science Camp at Northwestern University offers middle school students an opportunity to explore biology and engineering in a hands-on, engaging environment. Students can choose between two sessions: Insect and Pollinator Behavior and Engineering Rockets.
In Session 1, students will explore the fascinating behavior of insects and their crucial role in pollination, learning about ecosystems through observation and experiments in Northwestern’s state-of-the-art labs. Session 2 focuses on engineering rockets, where students will design and build their own water-bottle rockets, learning key concepts in physics and engineering as they test and improve their designs.
Both sessions provide interactive, project-based learning, and students get to work in Northwestern’s top-notch facilities. You can register for either or both camps here!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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