https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/06/20/students-get-sneak-peek-future-career-camp-carilion
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – From Starting IVs to learning how a chest compression system works, soon-to-be medical professionals explored the healthcare world in a hands on experience at ‘Camp Carilion’.
“You may come in thinking that you want to be a doctor, and by the time you’re done realizing that, there are so many other professions that you can dive into,” said Karri Proctor, a Director for Camp Carilion and Student services manager-visiting student affairs.
Rising 10th grader and participant in Camp Carilion Sharv Patel found his passion in respiratory health care.
“My favorite highlight is they had actor patients, standardized patients, and we got to actually become a doctor and see how it was and check sinuses and stuff,” Patel said.
Proctor says the program is competitive. With over 50 applications, camp leaders could only accept 12 students who were rising ninth through 12th graders.
“Some of our areas that we go to, we are limited with space, and we want to be respectful of patient space more than anything,” Proctor said. Although hard to get into, the camp is showing to be successful.
“Two years ago, one of our previous students, his mother emailed me and said, I just want you to know that your camp made a difference, and my son is now a paramedic for Carilion,” Proctor said.
The camp runs every year for four days. Students learned everything from pediatrics to trauma.
“My favorite thing so far has been seeing the brain and heart specimens, and we got to touch them, and the teacher did a great job explaining what everything does,” said Isabella Sha, another rising 10th grader with a dream to be a dermatologist.
“We get to see so many kids come in with big dreams. Then by the time they leave, they have even bigger dreams. Most of them involve them wanting to be here,” Proctor said.
Applications usually release every year in March; decisions are made by May and camp runs in June. For more information visit carilionclinic.org.