More than 200 seventh-grade students took a step toward exploring future careers in healthcare by attending the annual Scrubs Camp held at Williston State College on Wednesday. The event, now in its 12th year, is designed to immerse middle school students in the world of healthcare through hands-on activities and direct interaction with professionals in the field.
The camp aims to inspire young minds to consider medical and emergency service careers by giving them a taste of real-world experiences. From basic medical testing demonstrations to emergency response simulations, the day was packed with engaging lessons. “We are doing little field tests on medical stuff,” said Patrick Howard, one of the students in attendance. “I came here to learn more because I want to be a doctor, nurse, or whatever in healthcare.” Students like Patrick had the opportunity to try out different medical tools and procedures, all while receiving guidance from local professionals.
Williston State College Building Future Careers Through Early Exposure
Williston State College ‘s Scrubs Camp is not just about fun and games—it’s about helping students start thinking early about potential career paths. Melissa Meyer, Regional Work-Based Learning Coordinator at the Bakken Area Skills Center, emphasized the long-term benefits of introducing healthcare professions to students at a young age. “We are hoping to get students more exposed to different careers, especially in middle school, so when they get to high school, they will have a better idea of what they are interested in,” said Meyer. This early exposure helps students make informed decisions about which courses to take in high school, potentially paving the way toward college or vocational programs later on.
Seventh grader Siralene Enger, who traveled from Ray to attend the camp, appreciated the change of scenery and the hands-on learning format. “It is pretty cool to be in a bigger school. Since we are all in Ray, we move classes from different places but not different buildings, so it is kind of fun to be in a different place,” she said. Siralene and her peers explored various healthcare fields, learning about the roles, required education, and responsibilities of medical professionals.
Mentorship and Community Engagement Key to Camp’s Success
Scrubs Camp wouldn’t be possible without the involvement of local healthcare and emergency service professionals. Williston firefighter and EMT Jack Gockenbach was one of several community members volunteering at the event. “As far as mentoring the next generations of firefighters, I think that is the most important thing,” he shared. “Mentorship and teaching are really important. It’s awesome to interact with the community that supports you.”
Gockenbach noted that students are often fascinated by the behind-the-scenes details of emergency response work, making these interactions especially impactful. The event was made possible through funding from the Rural Collaborative Opportunities for Occupational Learning in Health (R-COOL-Health) grant, further strengthening rural students’ access to career exploration programs.
With its continued success and strong community support, Scrubs Camp serves as a critical platform for educating and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals in the region.
