Registration is now open for Inspire Health Foundation’s 2026 summer camps, which introduce Pre-K-12 students to healthcare careers through hands-on activities led by health professionals from the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK), Pittsburg State University (PSU), and Crawford County EMS.
The 2026 camp schedule includes:
- Pre-K Inspire Health Kids Mini-Camps (4 and 5-year-olds): June 23 – 25
- Inspire Health Kids Camp (Entering grades 1-3): June 30 – July 2
- Inspire Health Kids Camp (Entering grades 4-6): July 14 – 17
- Inspire Health Academy (Entering grades 7-12): July 21 – 24
The camp will offer a variety of engaging, interactive experiences such as recognizing the signs of an emergency and responding, practicing simulated blood draws, exploring how the heart moves blood throughout the body, and taking part in dissections to put anatomy education into practice. Students will also learn about behavioral health and emotions, dental health, pharmacy, and public health concepts like germs and disease prevention.
Each camp is intentionally tailored to the age group it serves, ensuring activities are developmentally appropriate, interactive, and fun. “Our youngest learners engage through storytelling, movement, and play-based exploration, while older students dive deeper into hands-on skill-building, critical thinking, and real-world application,” said Leah Gagnon, Inspire Health Foundation Director. “No matter the age, we prioritize experiences that help students actively participate in learning.”
New this year, several camps will include field trips designed to add an exciting, real-world dimension to the experience. “Students from first grade all the way through high school will get to visit Misty Morning Farms to explore the idea that ‘food is medicine,’ and follow along with our dietitian to make a recipe,” said Gagnon. “Additionally, the older students will travel to Orion Horse Sanctuary, which will help them connect caring for animals with understanding stress and nervous system responses. They’ll also visit the PSU School of Nursing and simulation hospital to witness healthcare training in action.”
Inspire Health Foundation, a subsidiary of CHC/SEK, promotes healthcare career exploration by engaging students, parents, and educators through in-school and community programs. “IHF’s summer camps are just one way we work to ‘grow our own’ healthcare professionals right here at home,” said Gagnon. “Across all camps, students are introduced to the many pathways into healthcare and receive guidance on what they can start doing now to prepare for their future education and careers.”
Parents are encouraged to register their children early, as space is limited. For more information or to register, visit chcsek.org/inspirehealth.
Community members interested in supporting student participation can sponsor a week-long camp experience through a $150 scholarship donation. Learn more at chcsek.org/inspirehealth.