Camp Med is a free, one-day hands-on healthcare career learning opportunity for middle school students. Along with a hands-on activity, students learn about that career’s job duties and educational requirements. Schools across the country, including in South Dakota, have taken part in Camp Med events.
The Wagner Community Memorial Hospital Avera and the community of Wagner, South Dakota have taken a very active role with the Camp Med program. Connie Kaufman, RN, BSN, of Wagner Community Memorial Hospital Avera is the driving force of the Camp Med program in southeastern South Dakota. Connie wears many hats, she is the Clinic Manager, Behavioral Health Services; Coordinator, Wagner Communities That Care; AHA BLS Instructor with the Wagner Community Hospital-Avera. However, her role in organizing Camp Med for the Wagner community and surrounding areas has helped introduce healthcare professions to thousands of students, many who may not have received this opportunity without this important program. “I think many students in South Dakota and in our area come from a very disadvantaged background and they don’t consider education past high school. The healthcare career exposure to these individuals is just huge! It gives them a glimpse at what they can do and the opportunities available to them.” Connie Kaufman, Clinic Manager, Behavioral Health Services Wagner Community Memorial Hospital-Avera
Camp Med opportunities are available through partnerships with the South Dakota Department of Health with some funding to help host the event. Middle school is a great time to begin introducing students to career options, as they are also choosing their high school path. “Students in 8th grade start selecting their high school path, their extra credits and high school registration. The goal of the career fair is to give them the exposure of what they can do. We hold the event the third week of January with a built-in snow day, which we have had to use before.” Connie Kaufman, Clinic Manager, Behavioral Health Services Wagner Community Memorial Hospital-Avera
How it works: Connie contacts the schools that have attended in previous years or new schools that have asked to attend and they can pick out a time slot for their students to attend the event, which allows them 1 to 2-hours of hands-on learning. The schools are responsible for transporting the student to the Wagner National Guard Armory, where the event is held. Once there, students can visit several Camp Med “lanes” which include a variety of booths where they can learn about:
- Infection control
- CPR Mannequins
- Physical & Occupational Therapy Tools
- Dental Health Care Demonstrations
- Body Scans: Muscle & Water percentage scans
Simulated medical mannequins- Pharmacy Filling prescriptions
- Stabilizing a trauma patient
Healthcare Workforce Planning- Social Worker
- Dietician, Nutrition
- Community Health Nurse
- Behavioral Health Activities
- And lots more…
“A very popular booth that I host is suturing and populating staples and biopsies. Students can physically learn how to remove sutures from a banana, and they learn how to take a punch biopsy, as they biopsy an orange and put it (specimen) in a sterile container.” Connie Kaufman, Clinic Manager, Behavioral Health Services Wagner Community Memorial Hospital-Avera
In 2023 Behavioral Health was an added focus for the Wagner Community Hospital-Avera Camp Med event, due to the need for more behavioral health workers. Students were able to walk through an innovative, inflatable brain. “We hosted a calming jar booth, so students could put together a calming jar, like a mini lava lamp, this is a jar with glitter and beads and fun stuff. And while the students were making the calming jars, counselors were there to help give some coping strategies and put the 988 QR code on the jar so they are aware of the services offered and that they are never alone.” Connie Kaufman, Clinic Manager, Behavioral Health Services Wagner Community Memorial Hospital-Avera
When Camp Med first began in the Wagner Community, 3 county schools took part in the event. Today the program has grown considerably and is now a regional event with 24 to 30 schools taking part in the program. “Last year we had over 615 students register to attend the event from the regional area. Any school is welcome to attend our event and we welcome everyone, including home schoolers.” Connie Kaufman, Clinic Manager, Behavioral Health Services Wagner Community Memorial Hospital-Avera
To learn more about hosting your own Camp Med event or finding a Camp Med near you, contact the South Dakota Department of Health, doh.sd.gov/programs/scrubs-camp/camp-med.
If you are interested in learning more about the Wager Community Memorial Hospital-Avera Camp Med event for middle school students, contact Connie Kaufman, as registrations are currently being accepted. Connie.Kaufman@avera.org
To see Connie’s Full story, which was featured during SDAHO’s 97th Annual Convention, visit the SDAHO YouTube Channel, here.
