Twenty four high school students in rural Ontario got an immersive introduction to healthcare careers last week, participating in hands on simulations and meeting professionals as part of an annual program designed to address looming workforce shortages in underserved communities. The Discovery Healthcare Camp, now in its fifth year, ran from July 6 to 11 at Camp Klahanie and was led by three medical students from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
Throughout the week, campers explored a wide range of professions including nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and health policy. They practiced suturing on teddy bears, injected oranges to simulate injections, applied casts and took part in a childbirth simulation. The camp also featured visits from physicians, nurses, pharmacists and dentists who shared details about their daily work and educational journeys in rural settings. One participant said the interactive nature of the camp was the highlight, noting that the hands on activities gave them a real feel for clinical skills.
Organizers said the camp aims to break down barriers that can make healthcare careers seem out of reach for rural youth, including limited access to mentors, financial challenges and uncertainty about educational pathways. The program is part of a long term strategy by the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health to build the local healthcare workforce by encouraging students to eventually return and serve their own communities. Camp leader and second year medical student Julia Sawicka said exposing students to a broad range of roles beyond doctors and nurses can have a lasting influence on their career choices.
Building the Future Rural Health Workforce
The camp is a partnership between Gateway CERH, Huron Health System and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, with Camp Klahanie provided by the Goderich Lions Club. Gateway CERH, a not for profit founded in 2008, focuses on improving health and quality of life for rural residents through research, education and community engagement. Sponsors provided ongoing financial support to make the program free for participants.
With rural communities across Canada facing persistent healthcare staffing shortages, programs like this camp aim to plant seeds early. Organizers hope that by giving local students a memorable, practical experience and connecting them with mentors, more will choose health careers and bring their skills back home. The camp will return next year, continuing its mission to inspire the next generation of rural healthcare providers.