Upper Peninsula Future Health Leaders Camp (U.P. FHLC) - Center for Rural Health

Who: Open to all fall 2026 U.P. high school freshmen and sophomores

When: Sunday, July 19 to Friday, July 24    Where: NMU

What: Coordinated this year in partnership with the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, U.P. FHLC is a summer camp dedicated to health education and health career exploration for 9th and 10th graders across the U.P. The camp involves six immersive days of learning about various aspects of health, meeting health professionals, exploring simulation labs, visiting a local hospital, practicing hands-on techniques and getting a glimpse into health care careers. 

The Upper Peninsula Future Health Leaders Camp (U.P. FHLC) is designed to promote the culture of overall health by:

1. Educating youth about best practices for living a healthy life, 
2. Providing an opportunity to explore a variety of health care career options, 
3. Creating and developing new friendships in a fun-filled week of education and activities, and 
4. Encouraging youth to start thinking about their future and how they can truly make an impact. 

Educational topics will include the basics of health and wellbeing, including the importance of good nutrition and physical activity in addition to focused sessions on cardiology, surgical technology, radiography, EMS, clinical lab sciences and more. Each morning will begin with a presentation from a health care professional, offering firsthand insight into their field and each evening will end with social and recreational activities. Activities and sessions will focus on hands-on experience, simulations, and skills development. Students will have the opportunity to shadow at a local hospital and see first-hand how health professionals spend their days. Each participant will also earn CPR and First Aid certification by the end of the week. Lastly, youth and parents will learn more about tips on what they can do now to better prepare for higher education.

Why: It’s never too soon to start thinking about career options and you (or your child’s) future!

The NMU Center for Rural Health is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Through this collaboration, we are able to leverage the advantages of both institutions to offer students even more experiences, greater health education opportunities and increased exposure to healthcare careers. This includes new sessions on osteopathic manipulative medicine, a suturing clinic, dissection, shadowing opportunities at a local hospital and more.

Limited scholarships are available for students who are interested in participating in the U.P. Future Health Leaders Camp, but are unable to enroll due to financial hardships. Scholarships awarded will be based upon the following criteria: 1) Geographic location; 2) Explanation from the student as to why they are interested in further exploring potential careers in healthcare. Students interested in a scholarship should register for camp and indicate “scholarship requested” under the payment option. Scholarship applicants will be notified of their status by June 1. Students receiving a scholarship will have their registration status automatically confirmed. Students not receiving a scholarship will have until June 15 to submit their registration fee, thereby confirming their registration. If necessary, a waitlist will be created and managed accordingly. All registration forms and scholarship applications must be submitted by May 15 for consideration.