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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- From dissecting an animal eye to getting a behind-the-scenes look at how a hospital operates, those are just some of the things that will be featured during this years M.A.S.H Camp in Kirksville.

M.A.S.H, which stands for Missouri AHEC Science and Health Camp, is a camp for students in grades sixth through eighth interested in pursing a health care career.

“Our goal is to get middle school students exposed to health and science careers very early because we found out that when they are exposed in middle school, then they tend to be able to apply mathematics and science in high school much better,” said Michelle Mollick, Executive Director for NEMO Area Health Education Center, Inc.

The two day camp gives students the opportunity to learn the basics about health care careers while getting hands on feel of what it takes to work in the field.

“Students will talk to health care providers, they will have hands on demonstrations they can take part in, among other things,” Mollick said. “They will tour part of the hospital and see radiology, the pharmacy and central supply. They will get a feel on how a hospital operates and what it takes for people to come together to make a health care facility work.”

Students will also get the chance to go inside the medical helicopter and learn about CPR, disease prevention and health education.

This is the fifth year the camp has been in Kirksville and organizers say the feedback from parents and students are always positive.

“Some of the things we hear from parents and guardians is that it really opened up their child’s eyes,” said Mollick. “Often times it’s either, wow, they absolutely want to go into health care.”

Currently there are five students signed up to participate in this year’s program and the camp is looking for 20 more students.

The camp will be held on July 12-13^th, from 8am to 4pm. Day one will be held at Truman State University and day two will be at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

Registration requires a $40 fee which includes meals, activities and a t-shirt.

Scholarships are available for those who can’t afford the registration fee.

For more information or to register for the M.A.S.H Camp, contact NEMO AHEC at 660-665-6404, or access registration materials online by CLICKING HERE.