Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) hosted 27 high school students during the fourth annual C.A.M.P. at The Woods. C.A.M.P., Challenging Ambitions and Maximizing Potential, was made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative, Indiana Youth Programs on Campus (IYPC).
IYPC is an initiative designed to help Indiana colleges and universities in their efforts to create new or expand and enhance existing high-quality, on-campus programs for Hoosier youth ages 5-18.
Throughout the week, June 7-14, students engaged in hands-on, educational activities on and off campus and will receive two college credits for completion of the week. Students chose from three C.A.M.P. course options:
- Discovery Travel – NU 150: Nurses for the Future
- Discovery Travel – EQ 150: Introduction to Equine Industry
- Discovery Travel – GL 150: Leaders of Positive Change
C.A.M.P. participants gathered during the Opening Session. A Discovery trip, completely covered by the grant funding, took place from June 10-13 with all sessions reconvening on campus on June 14.
Global Leadership students explored the meaning of leadership on a global scale, discovered their communication styles, tackled a team story puzzle and gathered news articles from various sources to grow their global mindset. They also reflected on their ecological footprint and participated in a picture scavenger hunt. The global leadership students celebrated World Oceans Day by earning their snorkel certification.
GL 150 Leaders of Positive Change traveled to Key Largo, Florida to learn from the Coral Restoration Foundation, a global nonprofit that serves as a real-life agent of change protecting coral reefs! Students built a coral tree, snorkeled the coral nurseries, watched divers restore reefs in real time, and studied how to assess community change. Students also immersed themselves in Cuban culture with a visit to Little Havana in Miami, tasting Cuban coffee and food, exploring art, and more! They brought their learning home to SMWC and our local community through their own group projects:
-A digital marketing initiative for coral reef awareness
-A children’s book on coral reef education
-An informational brochure on composting in connection with reef restoration for community impact
From the ocean floor to our own backyard, this experiential, purpose-driven leadership course is built for change-makers and we couldn’t be more proud of our students!
Equine students learned horse behaviors, stress pathways, vital signs and the equine digestive system. Then, put it all to the test with colic simulations, where they interpreted vitals and chose the best course of action.
Then, students headed to Lexington and Louisville, Ky., to tour the Coolmore TB breeding farm, where they saw a Triple Crown winner, toured Keenland racetrack and sales facilities, the Kentucky Horse Park, Godolphin breeding farm and Hagyard veterinary clinic. Finally, they toured the Kentucky Derby Museum and backside tour and watched a day of races at Churchill Downs.
Nursing students attended presentations on historical nursing figures, received their own physical assessment kits, learned basic check-up skills and explored nursing specialties through a fun campus scavenger hunt. They also visited the RHIC Simulation Center to learn about topics like delivering a baby and working a code.
For their Discovery trip, students traveled to New York City to participate in a series of immersive learning experiences centered on the course theme, “Nurses as Caregivers, Advocates, Leaders and Global Citizens.”
“Throughout the week, students explored how nursing extends far beyond bedside care and how nurses impact individuals, communities and populations on both local and global levels,” said Crystal White, DNP, FNP-C, RN, co-director of C.A.M.P. at The Woods and director of SMWC’s Master of Science in Nursing Program. “At Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum, students learned about the experiences of immigrants arriving in America and the important role nurses played in caring for and supporting these populations.”
Students visited the Tenement Museum to look at the influence of social determinants of health and gain a deeper understanding of how living conditions, economic factors and access to resources affect health outcomes and healthcare delivery.
A visit to the AIDS Memorial also provided an opportunity to discuss the effects of stigma in healthcare and the importance of compassionate advocacy for all patients. Students had the chance to reflect on how nurses can help reduce barriers to care and promote health equity.
To broaden their global perspective, students participated in a guided tour of the United Nations, exploring how international collaboration influences healthcare worldwide and how nurses can serve as leaders in addressing global health challenges.
The experience concluded with a Broadway performance of Aladdin, which served as a springboard for discussions about leadership, cultural understanding, diversity and inclusion.
“By combining travel, historical exploration, cultural immersion, and hands-on learning, the Nurses for the Future course encourages students to think critically about the many ways nurses serve as caregivers, advocates, leaders and global citizens while inspiring them to envision their own future in healthcare,” White said.
On the last day of C.A.M.P., all participants took part in a showcase to share what they learned.
Kim LaComba, Ph.D., co-director of C.A.M.P. at The Woods, director of SMWC’s Ph.D. in Global Leadership Program and an associate professor of global leadership, said the experience is meant to help students see how far an education can take them.
“My greatest hope is that every student leaves C.A.M.P. at The Woods having not only experienced what it feels like to belong on a college campus but also carrying with them the growth mindset and belief that, through effort and resilience, their goals are absolutely within their reach,” she said.
White said her goal is to ignite curiosity, expand possibilities and inspire students to envision futures they may never have imagined.
“Through hands-on learning and transformative travel experiences, students explored career pathways, broadened their worldview and discovered the confidence to pursue their dreams through higher education,” she said. “Blending adventure, education and meaningful reflection, the Discovery Travel experience helped students connect their current knowledge and life experiences to the important work of nurses as caregivers, advocates, leaders and global citizens while inspiring them to consider the impact they can have on the health and well-being of communities both locally and globally.”