For many high schoolers interested in medicine, a medical camp is one of the best ways to explore the field. These camps give you a chance to step into real labs, meet health professionals, and try hands-on activities like basic clinical skills, lab techniques, and patient communication. You will get a clearer sense of what daily life in healthcare looks like and whether medicine is the path you want to follow.
Ohio is a great place to explore medicine while you are still in high school. With top hospitals and universities such as the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State, and Case Western Reserve University, you can find camps that offer real exposure to research and clinical work close to home. Local programs are easier to manage, more affordable, and often lined up to fit around your school schedule.
Why try a medical camp?
Medical camps let you focus on lab work, community health, clinical observation, or biomedical research, depending on the camp. Most programs include mentorship, workshops, and a final project or presentation, so you leave with something concrete to show for your time. If you are still not sure, a week or two at a camp is a low-risk way to figure out what excites you most.
Here is a list of 13 medical camps for high school students across Ohio. You can check out our guide to medical programs here.
13 Medical Camps for High School Students in Ohio
1. Cleveland Clinic RISE Program (Lerner Research)
Location: Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, Main Campus, Cleveland, OH
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns receive a paid stipend
Application Deadline: Not specified. More info here
Dates: June 2 – July 25 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising seniors at the Cleveland School of Science & Medicine (CSSM) who show a strong interest in biomedical research.
The RISE program offers an eight-week research experience for selected students from the Cleveland School of Science and Medicine (CSSM) at the Lerner Research Institute. While not a traditional medical camp, during this program, you’ll work on a research team investigating current questions in biomedical science. Depending on your placement, you may gain experience with molecular biology techniques, proteomics, imaging, or computational analysis. In addition to lab work, the program includes seminars, career-focused sessions, and opportunities for reflection to help you build a deeper understanding of scientific research. You’ll receive guidance from faculty members, graduate students, and clinician-scientists. The program concludes with a formal symposium where you will present your research findings.
2. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend of $13/hour for approximately 20 hours/week
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: Eight-week program, from June to August
Eligibility: High school graduates living in the Cincinnati area
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital offers a High School Summer Internship Program for graduating seniors interested in pediatric medicine and research. Although this is not a traditional summer camp, as a participant, you’ll be matched with a mentor in a specific medical field such as endocrinology, genetics, critical care, or developmental biology. You’ll spend about 20 hours each week working in either clinical or research settings. Activities may include observing patient care, assisting with data analysis, and learning about procedures specific to your assigned specialty. At the end of the program, you’ll give a capstone presentation to share what you’ve learned and worked on during your time at the hospital.
3. The Ohio State University’s CREATES High School Summer Program
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: Cost details are unavailable. Interns will receive a stipend of $13/hour if they meet specific criteria
Application deadline: February 16 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: June 2 – 25 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising high school seniors defined as “URM” by the NIH
The Cancer Research Experience for the Advancement and Training of Emerging Scientists (CREATES) is an 8-week summer research camp focused on cancer research. Ten high school students are selected each year to participate in a university-affiliated research center. If you’re accepted, you’ll be assigned to a research team led by a Principal Investigator and take part in ongoing lab work related to cancer studies. In addition to your lab responsibilities, you’ll attend weekly sessions that may include discussions, presentations, campus tours, and meetings with researchers and peers. The program is paid and requires a full-time commitment of about 38 hours per week. It is intended for students who want to explore biomedical research in a structured academic environment.
4. MD Camp, Ohio State College of Medicine
Location: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: $325. No stipend provided
Application Deadline: To be announced. More info here
Dates: To be announced. More info here
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a CGPA of at least 3.0 and 3.3 or higher for math and science
MD Camp is a three-week summer day program for high school students interested in exploring careers in medicine and health-related fields. During the camp, you’ll have the chance to observe healthcare professionals, take part in research activities, and learn about the academic expectations of medical training. The program includes both classroom-based instruction and hands-on experiences to help you understand various aspects of medical education and practice. You’ll also engage in sessions aimed at supporting your academic and personal development as you explore the steps involved in pursuing a career as a physician.
5. HRS Camp, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Ohio State
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: Free (includes breakfast/lunch)
Application Deadline: April 25 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: June 2 – 4 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students
HRS Camp, open to high school students, runs for three days and includes hands-on activities such as anatomy labs, CODE BLUE response, and neuroscience demonstrations. You will interact with professionals from multiple rehabilitation sciences (PT, OT, nutrition, etc.) in well-equipped labs. The camp prioritizes exposure to medical and allied health fields and provides details on college admissions and career pathways relevant to health care professions.
6. Ohio State University’s Explorations in Neuroscience Summer Camp
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend amount not specified
Application deadline: March 14 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: June 9 – 13 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors
The Explorations in Neuroscience Summer Camp at The Ohio State University is a week-long program for high school juniors and seniors interested in the brain and nervous system. You’ll attend sessions led by neuroscience faculty and graduate students, explore current research, and meet with clinicians in fields like neurology and neurosurgery. The camp includes discussions on brain function, research methods, and neurological diseases. On the final day, you’ll learn about OSU’s neuroscience major and related career paths, including medicine, graduate school, and allied health. The program also offers guidance on preparing for college and studying science at the undergraduate level.
7. CampMed, University of Toledo
Location: University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH
Cost/Stipend: Unspecified. More info here
Application Deadline: Unspecified. More info here
Dates: Unspecified. More info here
Eligibility: For high school students entering 9th grade
CampMed is a two-day summer program designed for rising freshmen to spark interest in health and medicine. Hosted by institutions such as the University of Toledo, the program includes hands-on activities like medical simulations, anatomy demonstrations, and patient-centered case studies. You learn practical skills such as using stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs, suturing, and casting.
You also tour facilities such as emergency departments, gross anatomy labs, and observe Life Flight helicopters and ICU transport units. You will be placed in small teams led by medical students and guided by healthcare professionals, who will provide mentorship and a realistic view of medical careers. You will get a realistic view of medical careers, meet professionals, and receive support in planning academic pathways in STEM and health sciences.
8. Pharmacy Camp, Ohio Northern University
Location: Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH
Cost/Stipend: Tuition of $495, which includes all activities, food, and lodging.
Application Deadline: Unspecified. More info here
Dates: June 15 – 19 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students who will be entering their junior or senior year in the Fall of the year they attend the camp are eligible
Pharmacy Camp introduces high school students to pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences through interactive labs and shadowing. You’ll explore the different scientific fields involved in developing pharmaceutical products and supporting patient care. You will also work with university faculty, observe compounding and dispensing, and discuss pharmacy careers. The camp provides a realistic preview of pharmacy education and job pathways for students contemplating this medical field.
9. CaBi Bootcamp at The Ohio State University
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates: June 23 – 27 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students are eligible
The CaBi Bootcamp at The Ohio State University is a five-day program that introduces high school students to biomedical data science and its use in healthcare and research. It is designed for students interested in STEM and medical fields. During the program, you’ll work with faculty and professionals to learn about topics such as biomedical informatics, clinical research, and statistical approaches in public health. Activities include analyzing real datasets , for example, reviewing vaccine records or exploring genetic information related to disease. You’ll also learn about different career options within biomedical data science and healthcare. The program takes place on the OSU campus and provides a structured overview of how data science contributes to medical research and practice.
10. Camp Public Health
Location: Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: Resident: $60; Non-resident: $72
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates: TBA. More info here
Eligibility: For students between the ages of 13 and 17
Camp Public Health is a one-week program for high school students interested in learning about careers in public health. The camp introduces you to how professionals from different fields , such as medicine, nursing, nutrition, and epidemiology , work together to improve and protect the health of communities. Throughout the week, you’ll meet with staff from Columbus Public Health and visit the Ohio State University College of Public Health. These sessions cover topics related to public health education, career pathways, and the connections between health, the environment, and society. Transportation to and from daily camp locations is provided from Blackburn, helping ensure access for all attendees.
11. Summer Institute for Future Nurses
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend
Application Deadline: April 11 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: 3-day program; specific dates unspecified. Check here for updates
Eligibility: High school students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
The Summer Institute for Future Nurses is a program for high school students , from rising freshmen to graduating seniors , interested in exploring nursing. This is not a traditional summer camp; however, it offers hands-on experiences in nursing skills labs, and lectures led by faculty and panel discussions with current students and staff. The institute encourages applications from students with diverse backgrounds and prepares future nurses to serve diverse communities. If you’re considering a healthcare career, this program offers a structured introduction to nursing education and practice.
12. Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Medical Academy
Location: Heritage College Dublin campus, Central OH
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February; no precise deadline is available. Check for updates here
Dates: Specific dates TBA
Eligibility: For high school juniors and seniors in central Ohio. High school students who will be the first in their immediate family to attend college are highly encouraged to apply
The Medical Academy Discovery Series is a summer camp followed by year-round learning opportunities for high school students in Central Ohio interested in exploring careers in healthcare. The program begins in June with a multi-day experience hosted on the Dublin campus, where you’ll take part in a range of structured, hands-on learning activities. Throughout the camp, you’ll work with medical students, physician assistant students, and healthcare professionals to explore topics such as clinical skills, diagnostic reasoning, and human anatomy. The program also looks at communication in healthcare, particularly the doctor-patient relationship, and includes sessions on wellness, nutrition, and lifestyle. Following the summer session, the program continues during the school year with quarterly activities to support ongoing career exploration and leadership development.
13. The Ohio State University’s Explorations in Neuroscience Internship
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend amount not specified
Application Deadline: To be announced. More info here
Dates: To be announced. More info here
Eligibility: Current high school students
The National Institutes of Health offers a research program for high school students interested in neuroscience and related fields. Although this is not a typical camp, you get to focus on one of three medical areas: Neuroscience, Neurological Injury, or Neurodegeneration. Throughout the program, you’ll assist with laboratory work and learn about research methods and scientific writing. The program includes structured research activities and concludes with a presentation of your findings. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with researchers and other students working in the same field. This is a paid position intended for students considering research as a potential academic or career direction.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!