Every summer, AdventHealth and the Museum at Prairiefire host a week-long STEM summer camp for 20 elementary and middle school students. The camp, which started in 2024, offers hands-on learning and interactive workshops from scientists and medical professionals. Students engage with nine science-based modules, including an overview of health care disciplines. South Overland Park and Shawnee Mission Team Members lead interactive discussions designed to ignite a spark in health care careers. From stitching sutures to identifying blood types, hands-on activities challenge kids to engage new skills and topics in an exciting way. Going forward, AdventHealth hopes to make the camp an annual event.

Why We Did It

AdventHealth created this camp to inspire kids by giving them a hands-on look at the many careers available in science and health care. This is part of AdventHealth’s broader efforts to address the growing need for a skilled health care workforce by introducing the next generation to the variety of ways they can contribute in the future. Kids leave the camp empowered and excited about the possibility of helping others through STEM.