Why Youth Mentorship in STEM Matters: Celebrating Our Medics Camp Team

Behind every great Medics Camp experience is an incredible team of people who believe in what we do and who bring that belief to life every day.

Our 2026 team of instructors, counselors, volunteers and co-op students was something special.

They are teachers and learners.They are mentors and role models.They are curious about healthcare and passionate about medical science.And they are young people who want to make a difference.

Many joined us because they were interested in healthcare careers and wanted to share that passion with children. Some discovered that passion while they were campers themselves and eventually returned to Medics Camp as counselors and leaders. Watching that journey from camper to camp leader is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.

Every September, I’m asked to support two or three medical school applications from former Medics Camp team members. This year, that number more than doubled.

Three of our counselors who have been part of the Medics Camp family for the past four years graduated from high school this year and were accepted into post-secondary healthcare programs.

And then there is Olivia Roberts, who has been part of Medics Camp for all ten seasons. From junior counsellor, to Red Cross instructor and co-developer of FALCON, to onsite Camp Director, Olivia's journey has been woven through so many chapters of Medics Camp. She has been more than a leader—she has been one of the threads that helped shape the fabric of our community.

After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa, Olivia will continue her journey in healthcare this fall as she begins Speech-Language Pathology at Western University.

I could not be more proud of all of our team members, past and present.

These young people are kind and compassionate, smart and confident, and they have contributed to Medics Camp in so many ways. They taught. They encouraged. They problem-solved. They mentored. They helped children try something new, ask questions, make mistakes, try again and discover just how exciting STEM and medical science can be.

But Medics Camp isn't only a place where children learn. It's a place where our young leaders learn, too. Each year, our instructors and counsellors are at different stages of their education—from high school and undergraduate studies to graduate and professional programs, but they share a common interest in medical science and healthcare. That shared interest is one of the things that makes the Medics Camp community so special and contributes to the fabric of Medics Camp as a social enterprise.

At Medics Camp, they have the opportunity to put that passion into action. Teaching younger children, sharing their knowledge, mentoring campers, collaborating with peers, taking on responsibility and working as part of a team helps them strengthen the communication, leadership, confidence and compassion that are so important in healthcare.

For many, their experience at Medics Camp becomes an important part of their journey toward competitive post-secondary, graduate and medical programs, not simply because of what they learn here, but because of the responsibility they take on and the difference they make in the lives of the children they teach.

They are part of the fabric of Medics Camp.

And while we are proud to play a small part in their journey, we know the impact they will have reaches far beyond our camp. These young people are among the future healthcare professionals, educators, researchers and leaders who will make a difference in the lives of others. We are incredibly proud of them and deeply grateful for the time, energy, heart and service they have given to the Medics Camp community.

To every member of our 2026 team and those who came before you, whether you were with us for one week, one season or all ten seasons: Thank you for being part of our journey. Thank you for believing in our mission. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your curiosity and your love of medical science. And thank you for helping make Medics Camp what it is.

We can't wait to see where your journey takes you. ❤️

Once a Medics Camp leader, always part of the Medics Camp family.