The goal of the MASH Camp is to educate students about available health professions and give them hands-on experience in various health fields. Students visited different areas of the hospital where health care professionals provided department tours and spoke to them about their profession. This experience and personal interaction often generates interest and enthusiasm in pursuing a health profession for young people.

     Students had the opportunity to learn about various health care careers. In cardiac rehab, they heard about the importance of heart health and listened to a patient tell them his heart transplant story. At the dental clinic, they were shown how molds are made to replace teeth. The laboratory allowed students to view a blood sample under the microscope and they practiced transcription in medical records. Emergency department staff talked to students about the conditions that bring people to the ER and demonstrated how emergency situations are handled using the students as volunteers. During a tour of the physical therapy department, the students asked many questions about various pieces of equipment and, in pharmacy, they were given a short quiz about reading prescriptions. Last but not least, the students spent time in the surgery department where they scrubbed and, dressed in caps, gowns, and gloves, proceeded to the operating room. Hospital staff in each department provided meaningful activities and information reflecting the reality of working in that particular field.

     At the end of the day, MASH Camp participants evaluated the program stating, "It was a great experience and a fun learning one too." When asked what they had learned about health careers, students replied, "You must be serious and make sure everything is clean and sterilized," and "the workers have to be smart, responsible, loving, caring workers; not just anybody can do these jobs."

     The Healthy Community Alliance expressed appreciation to everyone who made this event so memorable for the students.