Health Education And Leadership Training for a Hopeful future (H.E.A.L.T.H) Camp is a weeklong summer camp in for young people from mostly medically underserved communities in Grand Rapids to learn more about their own health and health careers.
At Health Education and Leadership Training for a Hopeful Future (H.E.A.L.T.H.) campers will:
- Learn about exercise in the Calvin Sports Complex
- Use microscopes to see human cells
- Make healthy snacks
- Visit the community garden and beehives
- Practice stewardship of the planet with Plaster Creek Stewards
- Learn about cool jobs in the medical field like nursing, speech therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, and social work
H.E.A.L.T.H. Camp is an electronic device free camp. Campers are asked to leave phones, tablets, smartwatches at home. If a child needs to bring a phone to camp, camp staff will collect and store the electronic device in a safe place during camp.
What Can Parents Expect?
Who knew health education could be FUN?
At Calvin University's H.E.A.L.T.H. Camp, each day is thoughtfully structured to keep campers engaged, inspired, and well cared for. Parents can expect 3-4 sessions per day of hands-on, educational sessions designed to help campers learn by doing - whether exploring health topics, building life skills, or participating in guided discussions. Sessions are age-appropriate, interactive, and led by enthusiastic professors and mentors.
Campers enjoy nutritious, well-balanced lunches each day at the Calvin University's Commons Dining Hall, and beyond the classroom, campers spend time outdoors with organized activities and games, emphasizing teamwork, leadership and fun.
Proposed Sessions for H.E.A.L.T.H. Camp 2026:
Please note, sessions and content varies between age, group, and gender.
- Nursing Simulation
- Nutrition I and II
- Stewarding the Environment with Calvin University's Plaster Creek Stewards
- CPR Training
- Physical Therapy
- Visiting Calvin's Community Gardens
- Strength Training
- Dance
- Healthy Behaviors
- Reproductive Health I and II
- ...and more to come!
Don't want camp to end? Consider staying the night!
During week 2 of camp (June 22-26), girls ages 14 and 15 are invited to apply for the overnight portion of camp. Campers stay overnight in university dorms with camp counselors on June 25th for a night full of games, laughs and crafts.
Spots are limited. If your camper is accepted to HEALTH Camp, you will have the option to apply for the overnight portion.
Cost
H.E.A.L.T.H. Camp costs $10 per camper for a full week of sessions, games and lunches. This is only possible through the generations donations from foundations and donors to support health education among youth in communities of Grand Rapids.
To keep H.E.A.L.T.H. Camp affordable to every camper, please consider donating. Your donation supports the continuation and growth of this program.
2026 DATES AND APPLICATION
Applications close on May 15th, 2026 at 5pm.
Girls Camp, Ages 9-11
Girls Camp, Ages 12-15
Boys Camp, Ages 12-17
Contact Us!
Leadership
Catch a Glimpse of H.E.A.L.T.H. Camp 2025!
