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Urban Scrubs Campers Explore STEM & Health Fields

Augsburg hosted Urban Scrubs Camp for the sixth consecutive year this July. Scrubs Camp invites high school students interested in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and medical fields to immerse themselves in an experience-based program that exposes students to many fields, including dentistry, psychology, engineering, nursing, and more. During the week-long day camp, students participate in hands-on sessions, tour medical facilities, experience a variety of healthcare activities, and are exposed to numerous career options. It’s a fun way to learn about health-related careers, meet others, and get a sneak peek of life as an Auggie.

This year, Augsburg hosted 76 students and several alumni engaged as volunteers. Alumna Mary Ann Kinney MAN ’04, DNP ’11, a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic’s St. Mary‘s Hospital in Rochester, served as a keynote speaker and discussed her work in community building. Kinney has had extensive immersions through her graduate studies at Augsburg in Mexico and Guatemala and with homeless populations in Minneapolis and Rochester. She served as delegate to the first International Conference on Women’s Health in Beijing, China.

Urban Scrubs
Urban Scrubs campers at work in the Boston Scientific engineering workshop.

This camp provides a unique experience for metro-area students who otherwise might not have access to healthcare education. Last year, 70% of participants were students of color and 20% of campers were local to the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

Scrubs Camp is made possible by generous support from corporations, foundations, and community members. For the third year, Boston Scientific employees volunteered at Scrubs Camp. Steve Oommen facilitated two engineering workshops for campers.

We ❤ Scrubs

Urban High School Scrubs Camp 2014 celebrated its 5th year with 89 students, a 39% increase from 2013. Students learned about many different careers in the health sciences.

Scrubs Camp is hosted at Augsburg College, giving students the opportunity to experience daily campus life and learn about the college application process. More than 70% of the students attended camp on a scholarship.   Camp costs $430 for a 5-day, day camp experience. Funding from Boston Scientific provided full scholarships for 22 students.

Group photo Scrubs

Campers chose from over twenty different offered workshop sessions, attended four field trips, and actively participated in hands-on medical scenarios on the simulation bus. Courses included concepts of engineering, physical therapy, physician assistants, mental health speakers, biomedical technology, herbal medicine and more.

physical simulations 2014

Support from Boston Scientific has greatly influenced the growth and impact of Urban Scrubs Camp. More than 300 students have participated in Scrubs Camp since its pilot year at Augsburg College. Students consistently reflect that it facilitates a greater understanding of the college application process and provides effective health care profession career readiness. Ninety-eight percent of students who attended camp this year reported that spending time on campus helped them better understand and visualize themselves at college and 99 percent reported overall satisfaction with their camp experience.