Health Care Camps at GHC Available Again This Summer

High school and middle school students will again have the opportunity to explore the world of health care during summer camps at Georgia Highlands College’s Rome campus.

Hosted by GHC, Atrium Health Floyd and Blue Ridge Area Health Education Center, the camps will provide hands-on activities led by a variety of health care professionals.

Last year, campers got the opportunity to experience the decontamination process at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center. Brittany Holcomb, Emergency Management specialist at Floyd, was among the tour leaders for the students when they visited the hospital.

“Disasters can be pretty scary if you’re not used to them,” Holcomb said. “To make it less intimidating for students, I use something familiar. I ask if they know the phrase ‘2319’ from Monsters Inc., when the monster gets decontaminated because of a kid’s sock.

“Our decontamination suits work just like the yellow suits in the movie,” Holcomb continued. “Then, the fun begins. Students form teams and race against each other to see who can decontaminate our dolls the fastest, all while following real hospital protocols. It’s like a thrilling decontamination showdown.”

The Health Care Discovery Camp for students going into grades 5 through 8 will take place June 11-13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at GHC. Students will be guided through a variety of possible career choices, including:

• Nursing
• Emergency care
• Pharmacy
• Respiratory care
• Athletic training
• Dental hygiene and others

Campers will also be able to explore a Life Force helicopter and see a real cadaver organ.

The cost will be $99 for those who register by April 5. Registration increases to $124 on April 6. To register, visit https://camps.highlands.edu.

The Health Care Exploration Camp for students going into grades 9 through 12 will take place June 23-26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Career areas include:

• Nursing
• Emergency care
• Medical imaging
• Surgery
• Physical therapy
• Dental hygiene and others

New this year is the Body Interact Virtual Patient Simulator that will give students the opportunity to interact with a virtual patient one on one.

The cost will be $149 for those who register by April 5. Registration increases to $174 on April 6. To register, visit https://camps.highlands.edu.