Teens explore career interests in healthcare
Healthcare Camp creates new friendships
Not every teen in Alberta spends their summers having fun in the sun—some spend it having fun in the lab, or in the operating room, or perhaps in a hyperbaric chamber.
The Covenant Health Healthcare Camp offers students an opportunity to grow their knowledge base and interest to find out what opportunity is right for them in the healthcare industry by showing them what various departments do each day.
Steven Quan, a student attending the camp said that he is interested in the medical field because he likes helping people and solving problems.
“Before this camp, I didn’t know there were so many jobs and roles in healthcare,” said Steven.
The students travel between three hospitals for a week; the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre, the Misericordia Community Hospital and the Grey Nuns Community Hospital, taking in a unique experience at each facility.
The teens participate in showcases from different departments and put the things that they are learning into practice in a safe environment. Some of the activities include resuscitating an electronic “patient” in distress in the AHS Simulation Lab, using surgical instruments in a simulation in a digital operating room, and getting the chance to learn how a hyperbaric chamber works in the Respiratory Therapy Unit.
Stefanie Leblanc, a student who lives in Canmore and is staying with family in Edmonton in order to come to camp, is attending for the hands-on experience. She already has her heart set on a future in health care.
“My mom is a nurse and my sister is learning how to be a dietitian. I want to be a medical lab technician—I want to be in the lab doing testing,” said Stefanie.
A quiet group at first, the healthcare camp participants began to open up and make friends as the week progressed, leading to not only a lot of learning, but also a lot of laughs. Khushboo Goyal, a camp participant, really enjoyed the real-life medical experience and the new connections she made.
“My favorite thing about camp is getting to learn and really explore career opportunities for my future. I also liked being able to make friends who have the same interests as me,” said Khushboo.
During camp, the 14 to 18 year-olds that are interested in pursuing a career in health care get the opportunity to observe and interact with compassionate healthcare professionals and see how Covenant Health offers a unique service that cares for the whole person; body, mind and soul.
For more information on the Covenant Health Youth Healthcare Camp, please contact the camp coordinator at 780.342.8959 or covenanthealthyouthcamp@covenanthealth.ca.
View photos from the 2012 Youth Healthecare Camp in our Photo Gallery!