Middle school is a crucial time for students to explore their interests and lay the foundation for future academic pursuits. Participating in camps focused on medicine offers you an opportunity to learn about healthcare. By participating in activities like dissections, simulations, and discussions with healthcare professionals, you will gain insights into the medical field. 

Beyond sparking curiosity, these experiences develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of medical concepts. Involvement in such camps demonstrates a proactive approach to learning and a genuine interest in medicine, traits that can set you on a trajectory for success in high school and beyond.

Here are 8 medical camps for middle school students! Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

1. Medical Physician Preparation (MPP) Middle School Program: Summer Intensive

Location: Multiple locations throughout the U.S., and also offered online.

Cost: 1,148 (1 week) or $2,296 (2 weeks) for commuter students | $1,620 (1 week) to $3,510 (2 weeks) for residential students | $450 (1 week) to $900 (2 weeks) for online students. 

Application Deadline: Accepting applications until seats are full.

Camp Dates: Dates are variable based on the location selected, but they are expected to be between June and August.

Eligibility: Students entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the upcoming Fall semester and current 5th-grade students transitioning to middle school are eligible to apply.

MPP’s summer program offers an overview of the medical field through pre-med foundational courses and college readiness workshops. You will understand the healthcare system in America and how to become a competitive applicant for medical school. You will undergo First Aid and CPR training, visit local hospitals and clinics, and participate in service learning projects. With courses like Introduction to Careers in Medicine and tours of medical schools, you will gain first-hand exposure to the medical profession, creating a solid foundation for your academic future.

2. Summer Springboard’s Middle School Medicine Program

Location: University of Berkeley, CA or Georgetown University, WA 

Cost: $2,898 for residential students, $1,498 for commuters, + an additional $250 Medicine course supplement for either program.

Application Deadline: Until the program seats are full.

Camp Dates: Session 1: Jul 7 — Jul 12 | Session 2: Jul 14 — Jul 19 | Session 3: Jul 21 —  Jul 26 | Session 4: Jul 28 —  Aug 2

Eligibility: Must have completed 6th grade of middle school by the program start date and have a 3.0 GPA (or local equivalent) for all programs

This camp, held on the UC Berkeley and Georgetown University campuses, offers middle school students hands-on experience in medicine. Through simulations and guided lessons, you will develop essential medical skills such as setting splints, stopping bleeds, and performing CPR. Working collaboratively, you will research patient histories, diagnose conditions, and create treatment plans. Highlights include triaging cases in simulated emergency room scenarios and gaining insights into emergency medicine alongside medical professionals.

3. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) Middle School Medicine and Healthcare Summer Program

Location: American University, WA, or University of California, Berkeley, CA. 

Cost: $2,795 (residential) and $2,395 (commuter). Scholarships are available through NSLC. 

Application Deadline: Accepting applications until seats are full. 

Camp Dates: American University: Jul 8 — Jul 13, or Jul 16 — Jul 21 | UC Berkeley: Jun 17 — Jun 22, or Jun 26 — Jul 1

Eligibility: Students at least 11 years of age and currently enrolled in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.

The NSLC Middle School Medicine and Healthcare Summer Program uses simulations and workshops to explore medicine. You will conduct dissections, learn about vital signs, give medical sutures, and understand muscle groups for injections and their bodily functions. You will also develop patient care skills and bedside manner. Off-campus tours include visits to museums and historical landmarks. Check out the sample schedule for the camp here! If you’re interested in learning more about NSLC, you can look at our blog, which covers NSLC in depth!

4. MIT’s dynaMIT

Location: MIT Campus, MA

Cost: Free of cost. Does not cover transportation to and from campus, meals, or stay. 

Application Deadline: March 10

Camp Dates: August 14 — August 18 (rising 6th/7th graders) | August 21 — August 25 (rising 8th/9th graders)

Eligibility: Rising 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grades

For middle school students interested in pursuing STEM fields like medicine, DynaMIT is an exceptional summer opportunity hosted by MIT. This free five-day program is tailored to cultivate problem-solving skills through activities and educational challenges. You will apply STEM principles and visit cutting-edge labs at MIT. With the chance to experience life at one of the world’s leading technical institutes, DynaMIT offers a glimpse into the culture that fuels innovation at MIT, making it a valuable opportunity for those interested in pursuing medicine.

5. Columbia University State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

Location: Columbia University campus

Cost: Free of cost 

Application Deadline: May 15

Camp Dates: July 8 to August 2

Eligibility: Students enrolled in Grades 7 to 12 who are New York State residents or Permanent Residents residing in the state and are economically disadvantaged*, or Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Alaskan Native or American Indian; and will benefit from academic enrichment.

Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program offers an intensive academic experience for underrepresented students interested in medicine and STEM. The BRAINYAC program provides aspiring biomedical and neuroscience researchers with mentored lab experiences at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center. You will engage in a rigorous curriculum comprising science coursework, lab sessions, and workshops on college readiness and career exploration. Through tours of medical facilities and research labs, you will see the real-world applications of academic concepts. You will also interact with Columbia faculty, medical students, and professionals through guest lectures and panel discussions. To learn more about S-PREP, check out our complete guide here.

6. Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) Steam Academy

Location: Morehouse University, Atlanta, GA 

Cost: $800

Application Deadline: Rolling

Camp Dates: 4 weeks, June 3–28

Eligibility: Rising 5–8th graders

The 4-week summer program offers middle school students early exposure to grade-level content aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). The program covers a range of STEM topics, from engineering and technology to medicine. Through inquiry-based activities, you will reinforce your learning and connect it to everyday life. The program runs for four weeks in June, Monday through Friday. The curriculum includes weekly TED Talks with healthcare professionals, virtual field trips to science museums worldwide, and developing health science or medical mobile apps. 

7. University of New Hampshire (UNH) Tech Camps

Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham

Cost: Tuition is $700 per week for day students and $1,350 per week for residential students.

Application Deadline: May 1st

Camp Dates: July, precise dates are variable based on the selected camp.

Eligibility: The TechSplorers and Techleaders camps are open to middle school students!

Tech Camp and UNH offer a project-based learning experience emphasizing creative thinking and problem-solving. You will work collaboratively to explore topics like cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, forensics, and environmental science. In the past, projects funded by the National Institutes of Health focused on regenerative medicine and biofabrication, exciting opportunities for students interested in medicine! With both day and residential options available, the program offers activities, investigations, and problem-solving challenges.

8. Sally Ride Science Academy Summer Workshop: A Dose of Pharmacreations

Location: University of California, San Diego, CA

Cost: $275, not including transport to and from campus. 

Application Deadline: May 31

Camp Dates: Session 1: Jul 15 — Jul 19 | Session 2: Jul 29 — Aug 2

Eligibility: Middle school students between 5th to 8th grade are eligible to apply. 

In this 5-day course at UCSD, you will explore pharmacists' roles in community health and gain insight into their daily challenges through activities. This program provides opportunities to apply skills like communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving while addressing scenarios aimed at improving patient outcomes. You will receive an overview of pharmacy careers and the opportunities within the field. Throughout the course, you will meet guest experts, learn about common medical conditions such as asthma and allergic reactions, and practice using medical devices like EpiPens and inhalers.

One more option — the Lumiere Junior Explorers Program!

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about, including medicine! Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke and LSE.

The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can go to our website.

Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you’d like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!

Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience being a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.

Image Source: NSLC logo