HAMPTON — The city’s high schoolers got a chance to learn about the world of health care at Sentara CarePlex’s Camp Beacon, which ran from June 26-29.
It’s the four-day camp’s third consecutive year, averaging about 13 campers from grades nine through 12.
It costs $100 for the four days. Each of the high schoolers had to submit an essay explaining why they were interested in health care and also have a reference from their high school.
Susan Singalewitch, staff development educator, said the goal of the camp was to expose the campers to the careers available to them in health care.
Each day of the camp was jam-packed with demonstrations and seminars.
On the second day, the high schoolers were able to visit the endoscopy section of the hospital and perform a mock colonoscopy on a mannequin.
The high schoolers worked in pairs, using real medical equipment.
Kiara Sauls, a returning camper, said she really enjoyed learning about the different fields while at the camp. She hopes to pursue a nursing degree in either neonatal care or pediatrics.
Mikayla Picard, a first-time camper, has really enjoyed the hands-on experience she’s gained through the camp.
Her mother is a nurse in the ICU and she has grown up around health care.
“I think its a calling for me,” she said.
At the end of the camp each of the high schoolers tested for and received an American Heart Association/Heart Saver/AED certification and a stroke awareness training.
Part of the camp is to make these high schoolers valuable community assets by knowing how to recognize and treat those kinds of health threats.
