Health Career Quest Summer Camp
2010 Camp dates will be announced soon!
EXPLORE various different health career opportunities by participating in various tours, presentations
and hands-on activities
OBSERVE health careers in both a rural and urban setting (The Pas and Winnipeg)
DEVELOP or improve life skills required for educational success
Improve interpersonal, communication and leadership skills
RECEIVE personal pre-requisite and career planning advice and information
IMPROVE basic math, science and English skills through a specifically tailored remediation plan for each student
EXPERIENCE campus and Winnipeg life by participating in a variety of social activities
RECEIVE a student mentor in your interested field of study
Email us to receive updates about the next Health Career Quest Summer Camp.
Health Quest Summer Camp 2008
By Danielle Gamache
The Health Career Quest Summer Camp was launched as a very successful pilot program this past summer. This innovative camp, one of the first ever in Canada, provided twelve Aboriginal students from Northern Manitoba to explore different health careers, develop essential life skills and attend a series of academic sessions. The camp programming was intricately designed to prepare students for their future attendance at university or college. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to act as the camp coordinator for this program and feel that the camp design achieved its purpose and has played an extremely important role in the Aboriginal community by assisting students with their future educational planning and preparation.
Twelve exceptional grade twelve students from across Northern Manitoba were selected based on their academic achievement, community involvement and their interest in healthcare to participate in the camp for twelve days in July. The camp location was divided between the University College of the North campus in The Pas and the University of Manitoba campus in Winnipeg. Students stayed on campus and virtually experienced life as post-secondary students. This further allowed exposure to different academic programs through interactive sessions with educators and clinicians practicing in the field. Furthermore, the practice of healthcare was observed in both the rural and urban setting as students toured various medical facilities. The fields of dietetics, dental assisting, dental hygiene, x-ray and lab technology, nursing, medicine, medical rehabilitation and dentistry were explored through hands on experiences using some of the tools and modalities of each profession. The students also visited and did some role-playing as physicians at the new clinical learning centre at the U of M’s Bannatyne campus, where students in professional health programs receive simulated practical training.
Through several life skills sessions, students received training in relation to stress management, balanced self-determined behavior, colonization and the power of positive thought, included to provide them with some of the skills required to cope as a university student in a new environment. Students were also exposed to essential supports available to them in the university setting including the University of Manitoba’s Access Programs. The camp also provided mentorship through the camp counselors, all of whom were Aboriginal students studying in various professional health programs at the University of Manitoba. A cultural component was weaved throughout the programming, including regular smudges and sharing circles, a Sweat Lodge and a Powwow. Of course, more traditional camp activities were also incorporated into the schedule including hiking, swimming, a trip to Assiniboine Park, a Goldeyes baseball game and a movie night at St. Vital Centre.
The Health Career Quest Summer Camp successfully provided these students with an array of information and experiences related to health careers, education and life skills. The tone of the camp really nurtured and encouraged personal growth and development; as a result, twelve amazing young adults graduated from the camp and plan to attend college or university following grade twelve.