Record-high participation at virtual CampMed

Virtual access is improving accessibility to mentorship for youth and encouraging a health-care career. 

Initiated as a way to keep youth engaged with CampMed during the pandemic, the virtual edition of the event debuted in 2020 and saw another increase in participants this year. The numbers speak for themselves: 235 registrants from 64 communities across Northern Ontario, 21 live and 4 pre-recorded workshops delivered by 45 volunteers and 15 guest speakers. 

Despite being online, CampMed students were still able to gain a feel for the hands-on experiences they can expect if they choose a career in health care. They learned to suture, to diagnose and to analyse a crime scene, but also about cultural programming. This program is all part of the camp’s mandate to provide Northern Ontario and remote students with the opportunity to explore Indigenous and Francophone culture, health and traditions. 

For the first time since the camp’s inception, Northern Ontario high-school students of all ages were offered the opportunity to participate rather than just those in Grades 10 and 11. Among the participants from 64 Northern communities, a significant portion came from Fort William First Nation, Iroquois Falls, Manitouwadge and Mindemoya.

Several students said the highlight was learning and connecting with professionals in the field and being able to attend virtual workshops while remaining at home in their communities.  

CampMed Campers from Rural Northern Ontario