14 Nursing Camps for High School Students in 2026
- Stephen Turban
- 15 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are curious about nursing, allied healthcare roles, or the broader field of patient care, attending a nursing camp in high school can help you explore these areas before committing to a college major or career path. As a participant, you will get some exposure to college-level academics, interact with nursing faculty and healthcare professionals, and build practical skills through labs, workshops, and hospital-based activities. Nursing camps introduce you to patient care, medical terminology, clinical simulations, and healthcare teamwork, while helping you understand what working in nursing entails.
Why should I attend a nursing camp in high school?
Nursing camps offer structured learning experiences that introduce you to both clinical skills and patient care. Depending on the program, you might practice taking vital signs, learn CPR or suturing techniques, participate in medical simulations, shadow nurses, tour healthcare facilities, or explore different nursing specialties alongside healthcare professionals and faculty. Over time, these experiences can help you build foundational healthcare knowledge, strengthen communication and teamwork skills, and decide whether nursing or another healthcare field is the right fit for you.
To help you identify worthwhile opportunities, below is a list of 14 nursing camps for high school students in 2026.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 14 programs span clinical nursing skills, patient care simulations, hospital shadowing, allied health exploration, AI in medicine, and independent healthcare research, so students with a range of interests in nursing and healthcare can find a relevant opportunity.
Several programs are free, including Seattle Children's Hospital Nurse Camp, University of Portland Nurse Camp, UW Nurse Camp, M.A.S.H. Camp, and Baptist Health Immersion Program, while others, such as UNLV Nurse Camp and Marian University Healthcare Camp, offer scholarships or financial assistance for eligible students.
Many programs include hands-on clinical skill training, such as CPR certification, vital sign assessment, wound care, suturing, IV technique, and Stop the Bleed training, giving students practical exposure that goes beyond classroom learning.
Programs vary in length and format, from single three-day intensives, such as NorthBay Health Nurse Camp and Explore RCoN, to full week-long residential experiences, such as UNLV Nurse Camp and Marian University Healthcare Camp, so students can choose based on their schedule and goals.
Application deadlines for competitive programs fall early, including Baptist Health Immersion Program (February 4), Seattle Children's Hospital Nurse Camp (March 23), M.A.S.H. Camp (March), and UW Nurse Camp (April 15), so students should research options and apply in late winter.
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available.
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, spring, and winter. Available options range from 12 weeks to one year.
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school who demonstrate strong academic performance
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous program tailored for high school students. It offers extensive one-on-one research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas for high school students to explore. The program will pair you with Ph.D. mentors to work one-on-one on a research project. At the end, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose from areas such as healthcare, psychology, physics, math, computer science, data science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, economics, and more. You can learn more about the program application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: None
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 – 18, who live in the Puget Sound area and can attend all five consecutive days
This free five-day camp introduces you to nursing career pathways through hands-on learning at Seattle Children's Hospital. You will take part in clinical observation sessions, shadowing nurses in units such as the NICU, PICU, cardiac intensive care, emergency room, or oncology at the hospital. You will also work through skills labs, practicing nursing techniques on models. Additionally, you will take part in an educational panel where you can ask questions about nursing as a career.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks; multiple cohorts each year
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 12 who have completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers a range of programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, you will explore how tech like AI and machine learning can be used in healthcare and medical research. You will work on project-based tasks involving the development of AI models for healthcare applications such as disease diagnosis and medical imaging. The program also focuses on how AI-generated insights can support doctors, nurses, and patients in medical decision-making. You will gain exposure to the link between artificial intelligence and medicine while working on real-world scenarios. You can learn more about the program through its brochure and application form.
Location: University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations, Portland, OR
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Cost: Free
Dates: July 13 – 16
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 16 years old by the first day of camp; graduating seniors are not eligible.
The Summer Nurse Camp is a free, four-day program designed to introduce you to nursing through clinical activities, healthcare workshops, and college-preparation sessions. Hosted by the University of Portland’s School of Nursing & Health Innovations, the camp allows you to learn directly from nursing students, faculty members, staff, and alumni while exploring different aspects of patient care and nursing education. During the program, you will practice skills such as taking blood pressure, checking vital signs, and learning infection control techniques in the university’s learning and simulation spaces. You will also receive guidance on preparing for college and navigating the nursing school application process. In addition to the educational sessions, the camp provides opportunities to tour the campus, connect with peers, and gain exposure to university-level nursing environments
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Cost: Free
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Washington state high school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 when the camp starts
UW Nurse Camp is a free week-long program designed to introduce you to nursing and healthcare careers through hands-on learning experiences and college preparation activities. Hosted by the University of Washington’s School of Nursing, the camp focuses on increasing access to nursing education for students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. During the program, you will participate in clinical activities, healthcare workshops, CPR and HIPAA training, and interactive sessions that help you understand the realities of nursing practice and patient care. You will also learn more about nursing school admissions, healthcare career pathways, and the academic preparation needed for future success in medicine and nursing.
Location: Multiple sites in the U.S.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Free
Dates: One week in the summer
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; location-based requirements may apply based on the camp you choose.
M.A.S.H. Camp is a free five-day healthcare exploration program that introduces you to nursing and a range of allied health careers through immersive, hands-on experiences. Hosted by MultiCare Health System, the camp allows you to learn more about professions such as nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, radiology, laboratory science, and social work. During the camp, you will gain practical healthcare knowledge by interacting with medical professionals and exploring real healthcare settings. You may also develop professional skills through workshops, collaborative activities, and career-focused discussions designed to help you better understand healthcare pathways after high school. The program provides scrubs, career exposure, and opportunities to connect with peers interested in medicine and patient care.
Location: Baptist Health Education Center, Miami, FL
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 25 students/year
Cost: None
Dates: July 27 – 31
Application deadline: February 4
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors, ages 16 and up, with reliable transportation to Baptist Hospital of Miami
This free one-week camp is designed to introduce students to healthcare careers, including nursing, through instruction and simulations at Baptist Health. You will engage in activities designed to help you explore fields in healthcare, medicine, pharmacy, and administration. The program also connects you with healthcare professionals. This free program offers an opportunity to engage in hands-on career exploration and plan your next steps, including degree programs and professional training paths.
Location: Research College of Nursing, Kansas City, MO
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited spots available
Cost: $100; full scholarships available
Dates: Summer session (three-day program)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Explore RCoN is a three-day nursing camp that offers hands-on clinical experiences and interactive learning activities to explore healthcare careers. Hosted by the Research College of Nursing, the program introduces you to practical nursing skills such as taking vitals, administering injections, and participating in simulation-based training exercises. You will also learn about nursing specialties and healthcare career pathways while interacting with current nursing students, faculty members, and healthcare professionals. During the program, you may shadow professionals at HCA Midwest Health facilities, including Research Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, and Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
Location: Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD and Black Hills State University, Rapid City, SD
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $50
Dates: June 8 – 11 (Spearfish) | June 22 – 25 (Rapid City)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle school students entering grades 6 – 8 and high school students entering grades 9 – 12 in the fall
Run in collaboration with AHEC, South Dakota State University, and Black Hills State University, this nursing camp allows you to explore the field as a career through hands-on experiences. You will attend sessions focused on nursing care and the science behind medical procedures, led by university nursing faculty and local medical professionals. The schedule includes tours of local health facilities where you can observe nursing in action. You will also have the chance to hear from active professionals in the field and learn what a nursing career involves.
Location: NorthBay Health Vacaville and Fairfield campuses, CA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Cost: $150
Dates: June 16 – 18 | July 28 – 30
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Local high school students
NorthBay Health’s Nurse Camp is a three-day immersive program that allows you to explore the nursing profession through hands-on clinical experiences and hospital-based learning activities. During the camp, you will participate in skills labs, interactive presentations, and on-site demonstrations designed to introduce you to real nursing practices and patient care environments. You may also observe patient-nurse interactions while learning directly from healthcare professionals working across inpatient and outpatient units. The program provides exposure to acute care settings and helps you understand the responsibilities, communication skills, and teamwork required in nursing careers. Throughout the experience, you can ask questions, connect with nursing staff mentors, and gain a clearer understanding of educational pathways within healthcare.
Location: South Dakota State University campus, Brookings, SD
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $100Dates: July 14 – 17
Application deadline: Not specified; first-come, first-served admissions
Eligibility: Students entering their junior or senior year of high school
This four-day camp offers high schoolers hands-on experience with multiple health professions. At camp, you will participate in demonstrations on the SDSU campus and gain insight into areas such as nursing, pharmacy, pre-professional programs, biology, exercise science, microbiology, healthcare systems engineering, medical lab science, and nutrition. You will visit nearby healthcare facilities and specialty clinics to learn about their work. Additionally, you will attend question-and-answer sessions to connect with professionals from various healthcare fields.
Location: Online + an optional on-campus visit at Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $1,300
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising sophomore, junior, and senior high school students, ages 15+, with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher and no record of suspensions
This one-week camp, offered by Fairfield University's Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, provides high schoolers with hands-on exposure to the field of nursing. You will explore the fundamentals of first aid and CPR, and engage in virtual sessions designed to help you explore Fairfield's simulation lab. The program is led by university nursing faculty, who will offer insights into post-secondary academics throughout the week. You will also have the option to attend a one-day on-campus visit to explore the university campus and simulation lab in person.
13. UNLV Nurse Camp
Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 80 students in the past cohort
Cost: Not specified; scholarships available for eligible Nevada students
Dates: Multiple week-long sessions in June and July
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Nevada high school students and recent graduates
UNLV Nurse Camp is a weeklong immersive program that introduces you to nursing through hands-on clinical training, healthcare workshops, and direct interaction with nursing professionals. During the camp, you will practice nursing skills such as wound care, newborn care, vital sign assessment, CPR, and Stop the Bleed training while gaining exposure to patient care environments. The program also includes tours of UMC Hospital, where you can observe healthcare settings and learn more about teamwork and communication within nursing practice. Throughout the experience, you will interact with both new-grad and experienced nurses while exploring different nursing specialties and healthcare career pathways. You will also receive information about the UNLV Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) admissions process and academic preparation for nursing school.
Location: Marian University, Indianapolis, IN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $100; financial assistance available
Dates: June 1 – 5 (high school juniors and seniors) | June 15 – 19 (high school freshmen and sophomores)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
The Healthcare Camp at Marian University is a week-long on-campus experience designed to help you explore careers in healthcare, including nursing, through an activity-based curriculum. You will work in a medical simulation lab, practicing clinical procedures such as splinting broken bones and building basic healthcare skills. The schedule includes instruction in sports performance science and medical research training, giving you insight into how lab research connects to patient care. You will be placed in small groups throughout the week to receive guidance from Marian University’s nursing, medical, and pre-health students. If you are a junior or senior in high school, you can choose to stay overnight for on-campus games, evening activities, and additional programming.
Frequently asked questions
What nursing camps are available for high school students in 2026?
Options include hospital-based programs, such as Seattle Children's Hospital Nurse Camp and Baptist Health Immersion, university-hosted camps, such as UW Nurse Camp, UNLV Nurse Camp, and University of Portland Nurse Camp, multi-health career exploration programs, such as M.A.S.H. Camp and SDSU Health Professions Camp, AI in medicine programs, such as Veritas AI, and independent research programs, such as Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
Are there free nursing camps for high school students?
Yes, Seattle Children's Hospital Nurse Camp, University of Portland Nurse Camp, UW Nurse Camp, M.A.S.H. Camp, and Baptist Health Immersion Program are all free, while UNLV Nurse Camp and Marian University Healthcare Camp offer scholarships or financial assistance for eligible students.
Which nursing camps include hands-on clinical skill training?
UNLV Nurse Camp, UW Nurse Camp, Explore RCoN, NorthBay Health Nurse Camp, and Marian University Healthcare Camp all include practical skills training such as CPR, vital sign assessment, wound care, suturing, and medical simulation exercises.
Are there nursing camps open to students outside specific states?
Lumiere Research Scholar Program and Veritas AI are fully virtual and open to students anywhere in the world, while M.A.S.H. Camp operates at multiple sites across the U.S. and Fairfield University's Pre-College Nursing Track is offered primarily online with an optional campus visit.
Which nursing camps allow students to shadow healthcare professionals?
Seattle Children's Hospital Nurse Camp, Explore RCoN, NorthBay Health Nurse Camp, and SDSU Health Professions Career Camp all include shadowing or observation experiences in clinical and hospital settings.
When should I apply to nursing camps for high school students?
Baptist Health Immersion Program closes February 4, M.A.S.H. Camp typically closes in March, Seattle Children's Hospital Nurse Camp closes March 23, NorthBay Health Nurse Camp closes May 1, and UW Nurse Camp closes April 15, so students should begin researching options in the fall and apply as soon as each program opens.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.