8 Medical Camps for Middle School Students
Middle school is a crucial time for students to explore their interests and lay the foundation for future academic pursuits. Participating in camps focused on medicine offers a unique opportunity for young minds to delve into the world of healthcare. By immersing themselves in hands-on activities like dissections, simulations, and discussions with healthcare professionals, students gain invaluable insights into the medical field.
Beyond sparking curiosity, these experiences foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of medical concepts. Involvement in such camps demonstrates a proactive approach to learning and a genuine passion for medicine, traits that can greatly enhance a student’s college application and set them on a trajectory for success in high school and beyond.
Here are eight medical camps tailored for middle school students!
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).
Note. This does not cover travel expenses, personal spending money, meals and snacks, medical expenses, international travel medical insurance, or U.S. visa fees for international students.
Application Deadline: Accepting applications until seats are full. Currently open.
Camp Dates: Participants can choose between 1-week or 2-week camps. Dates are variable based on the location selected but are expected to be between June and August.
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 embark on an immersive journey into the world of 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. Over one or two weeks, they delve into collegiate life, 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 undergo First Aid & CPR training, visit local hospitals and clinics, and participate 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.
Location: University of Berkeley, CA or Georgetown University, WA
Cost: $2,898 for residential students, $1,498 for commuters, + an additional $250 Medicine course supplement for either program.
Application Deadline: Until the program seats are full. Currently accepting applications.
Camp Dates:
Session 1: Jul 7 — Jul 12, 2024
Session 2: Jul 14 — Jul 19, 2024
Session 3: Jul 21 — Jul 26, 2024
Session 4: Jul 28 — Aug 2, 2024
Eligibility: Must 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 in-person camp, held on the UC Berkeley or Georgetown University campus for five days, offers middle school students hands-on experience in medicine. Through age-appropriate simulations and guided lessons, participants develop essential medical skills such as setting splints, stopping bleeds, and performing CPR.
Working collaboratively, they research patient histories, diagnose conditions, and create treatment plans. Highlights include triaging cases in simulated emergency room scenarios and gaining insights into emergency medicine alongside medical professionals.
3. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) Middle School Medicine and Healthcare Summer Program
Location: American University, WA, or University of California, Berkeley, CA.
Cost: $2,795 (residential) and $2,395 (commuter). Scholarships are available through NSLC.
Application Deadline: Unspecified. Accepting applications until seats are full.
Camp Dates: Choose one of two sessions at either university:
American University: Jul 8 — Jul 13, 2024, or Jul 16 — Jul 21, 2024
UC Berkeley: Jun 17 — Jun 22, 2024, or Jun 26 — Jul, 2024
Eligibility: Students must be at least 11 years of age and currently enrolled in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.
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.
They also develop patient care skills and bedside manner. Off-campus tours include visits to iconic museums and historical landmarks, enriching 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: MIT Campus, MA
Cost: Free of cost. Does not cover transportation to and from campus, meals, or stay.
Application Deadline: The application deadline for the 2024 program was March 10, 2024. TBD for 2025!
Camp Dates: August 14 — August 18, 2024 (rising 6th/7th graders) | August 21 — August 25, 2024 (rising 8th/9th graders)
Eligibility: Rising 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grades
For middle school students passionate about pursuing STEM fields like medicine, DynaMIT offers an exceptional summer opportunity hosted by MIT. This free five-day program is tailored to ignite curiosity and cultivate problem-solving skills through immersive hands-on activities and educational challenges.
Participants engage in real-world applications of STEM principles, including exploratory trips to cutting-edge labs on the MIT campus. With the chance to experience life at one of the world’s leading technical institutes, DynaMIT promises a glimpse into the unique culture that fuels innovation and discovery at MIT, making it an invaluable opportunity for those interested in pursuing medicine.
Location: Columbia University campus
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024
Camp Dates: July 8, 2024, to August 2, 2024
Eligibility:
Students enrolled in Grades 7 to 12.
A New York State Resident or a Permanent Resident residing in the state.
Economically disadvantaged*, or Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Alaskan Native or American Indian; and will benefit from academic enrichment.
Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program offers an intensive academic enhancement experience tailored for underrepresented students with interests in medicine and STEM fields. The BRAINYAC program specifically provides aspiring biomedical and neuroscience researchers with mentored lab experiences at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Participants engage in a rigorous curriculum comprising science coursework, lab sessions, and workshops on college readiness and career exploration.
Through in-person components like tours of medical facilities and research labs, students witness real-world applications of their studies. They also interact with Columbia faculty, medical students, and professionals through guest lectures and panel discussions, enriching their understanding of medical and STEM careers.
Location: Morehouse University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $800
Application Deadline: Rolling
Camp Dates: 4 weeks, June 3–28, 2024
Eligibility: Rising 5–8th graders
The comprehensive 4-week summer program offers middle school students an enriching learning experience, featuring pre-exposure to grade-level content aligned with Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). The program covers a range of STEM topics from engineering/technology to medicine. Through inquiry-based activities, students reinforce their learning and connect it to everyday life.
The program runs for four weeks in June, Monday through Friday. Alongside routine dissections and GSE standards, new curriculum additions include weekly TED Talks with healthcare professionals, virtual field trips to science museums worldwide, and developing health science or medical mobile apps.
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham
Cost: Tuition is $700 per week for day students and $1,350 per week for residential students.
Application Deadline: The deadline was May 1st, 2024. TBA for 2025.
Camp Dates: July, precise dates are variable based on the selected camp.
Eligibility: Middle or high school students are eligible to apply!
Note: The TechSplorers and Techleaders camps are open to middle school students!
Tech Camp and UNH offer a dynamic, project-based learning experience emphasizing creative thinking and problem-solving. Students work collaboratively to explore topics like cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, forensics, and environmental science.
This year, innovative projects funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health focus on regenerative medicine and biofabrication, adding exciting opportunities for students passionate about medicine! With both day and residential options available, students delve into subjects through hands-on activities, investigations, and problem-solving challenges.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $275 not including transport to and from campus.
Application Deadline: May 31, 2024
Camp Dates: Choose one of two 5-day sessions
Session 1: Jul 15 — Jul 19, 2024
Session 2: Jul29 — Aug 2, 2024
Eligibility: Middle school students between 5th to 8th grade are eligible to apply.
In this 5 day-course at UCSD, 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 receive an overview of pharmacy careers and the diverse opportunities within the field. Throughout the course, they will meet guest experts, learn about common medical conditions such as asthma and allergic reactions, and even practice using medical devices like EpiPens and inhalers. Students will also explore their creative side by customizing medications for superhero, alien, or monster patients in a fun and educational environment!
One more option — the Lumiere Junior Explorers Program!
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about, including medicine! Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you’d like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!
Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience being a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.
Image Source: NSLC logo