West River Area Health Education Center

Students K-12

Young Doctor
Scrubs Camp

Scrubs CampScrubs Camp is a one-day, hands-on experience where you rub elbows with pros who actually DO healthcare for a living. Learn what it’s like to arrive at the scene of an emergency. Remove a “mole” from a calm, cooperative patient (think banana!). See some of the cool gadgets used to make people better. And a whole lot more. Pretty cool stuff, don’t you think? If you’re in 9th through 12th grade and think you’re interested in a health career, Scrubs Camp is a must attend. These camps will provide an opportunity for students to experience first-hand, the challenges, opportunities and rewards of health careers. All while learning about the skills and education that are required to become a health professional. Scrubs Camp opportunities in western SD include camps in Rapid City, Spearfish, Custer, Hot Springs, and Pine Ridge.

Scrubs Camp Info


West River Health Career Camps

West River Health Science Center Nurse Camp
Give Nursing a Shot! summer camps offered in Rapid City and Spearfish for middle and high school students.  For more information about next year's camps, or to sign up to be notified when registration opens, click here!

Middle School:

Camps for students entering 6th-8th grade in the fall 2023 semester

  • Spearfish Give Nursing a Shot! Camp (Middle School) June 10-13, 2024
  • Rapid City Give Nursing a Shot! Camp (Middle School) June 24-27, 2024

High School:

Camps for students entering 9th-12th grade in the fall 2023 semester

  • Spearfish Give Nursing a Shot! Camp (High School) June 10-13, 2024
  • Rapid City Give Nursing a Shot! Camp (High School) June 24-27, 2024
If you have questions about Give Nursing A Shot! Summer Camps, please contact Samantha Smith.

Statewide Camps:
SD Mines Biomedical Engineering Camp:  Check back soon for summer 2024! SD Mines holds this camp to help students explore the world of biomedical engineering

SD Mines Pre-health Science Camp:  Check back soon for summer 2024 dates!  We are excited to partner with SD Mines to support students attending the Pre-health Science camp during summer 2024! 

USD Healthcare Careers Summer Camp:
  Check back soon for summer 2024 dates!  Sanford School of Medicine hosts this camp open to students who will be high school juniors and seniors in fall 2024.

SDSU Health Professions Career Camp:  Check back soon for summer 2024 dates!  Sponsored by Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, this camp is open to students who will be high school juniors and seniors in fall 2024.


Camp Med

Scrubs CampCamp Med Events are free, one-day, hands-on health career learning opportunities for middle school students. These events are typically held in local middle schools during the course of students' regularly scheduled day. Invited students will have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of health careers through hands-on activities and discussions. For more information on Camp Meds, contact the South Dakota Department of Health at 605.773.3361.

Camp Med Info


HOTT

Health Occupations for Today & Tomorrow

Health Occupations for Today & Tomorrow (HOTT) focuses on health career information and opportunities for South Dakota students at all grade levels


Healthcare Career Exploration Tool

Interested in a career in healthcare? Our Healthcare Career Exploration tool can help you learn all about the healthcare programs in South Dakota! Explore degree programs, scholarships, resources, and opportunities in this easy to navigate web resource.

View Healthcare Career Exploration Tool!


Health Career Booklet & Video

‘You Are the Cure’ booklets are now available for distribution in western South Dakota! These information booklets are designed for students in South Dakota to learn more about in-demand healthcare careers. The booklets are provided complimentary by WRAHEC. Schools, teachers, and other organizations in western South Dakota can request up to 100 copies of the booklet which we will deliver or mail to you at no charge. Be sure to check out the accompanying video which features information and interviews on healthcare careers in South Dakota. Request booklets by filling out this form.

Health Careers in SD Booklet (PDF)

Health Careers in SD Video


Healthcare Career Presentations 

Have a class, career fair, or event related to healthcare careers? We can provide hands-on demonstrations, presentations, and tabling customized to your needs, whether that is virtually or in-person. From health professions college and career preparation presentations for high school students to a handwashing & germ presentation for elementary students, we strive to provide unique engagement opportunities for students of all ages. Our staff is skilled in college and career preparation for general health professions programs and community health initiatives. We are happy to customize a presentation to fit the needs of you and your students. We also work with healthcare professionals, admissions offices, and health professions programs across the state so can help make connections for any desired programming focused on a specific healthcare career or topic. Interested in having WRAHEC in your classroom or at your event? We would love to chat more!  Email Annette Hill

Our staff can also meet with students one-on-one to provide career and college preparation guidance tailored to health professions programs in SoDak. Are you a student (or know of one) who has specific questions on healthcare careers, training programs, and next steps? We’re always happy to meet with students one-on-one to discuss goals, provide guidance, and make warm hand-offs with our career and college partners.


The MEGA Brain

West River AHEC is excited to bring The MEGA Brain to future school and community health events in western South Dakota! This walk-through exhibit showcases the inside and outside of the brain including information on stroke, Alzheimer's disease, brain trauma, addiction, and mental health. Ideal for career fairs, STEM nights, and health related events, we look forward to bringing this unique exhibit across Western SD.