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iHeal Camp

Pre-Health Programs

A FREE overnight camp for rising 9th graders

  • Girls Camp: June 14-17, 2025*

  • Co-Ed Camp: June 21-24, 2025*

Interested in learning more about healthcare careers? Become a student health leader at iHEAL (Interdisciplinary Health Education for Aspiring Leaders)!

*Applications accepted starting early 2025.

What is iHEAL?

At iHEAL, students will explore a variety of healthcare careers and majors at UNC Wilmington and at other academic institutions in the state, including UNC Chapel Hill. Students will gain an understanding of the healthcare careers available in southeastern North Carolina, how social determinants and structures impact health, and how academic programs can prepare students to become health leaders.

Questions? Contact prehealth@uncw.edu. 

Students and trainer in gym
“ This camp has not only made my interests in the medical field increase, but also made me want to change my plans after high school in what college or university I go to. ”
Sienna Bonilla Hernandez 2024 Camper
iHEAL Alumni Seminars

iHEAL Alumni Seminars are designed to offer continued interactive healthcare learning experiences to former iHEAL participants throughout their high school experience. Seminars will be held each fall and spring semester, and former iHEAL campers will be invited to attend eight seminars throughout their high school experience leading up to high school graduation. The seminars include a variety of hands-on simulations and activities related to healthcare majors and careers, allowing for continued exposure to future healthcare options as well as a connection to the UNCW campus. CHHS iHEAL, along with the CHHS iHEAL Alumni Seminars, are co-sponsored by UNC School of Medicine and Novant Health.

Questions? Please email prehealth@uncw.edu.

Explore More

Topics:
  • Introduction to patient-centered clinical healthcare
  • Exploration of public health, and how environments and social systems influence health
  • Health equity and the impact on community
  • Introduction to health & fitness environments
  • Hands-on experience in simulated patient health practices
  • Meaningful interactions with current college students & healthcare professionals from a variety of disciplines
  • Exploration of college life and program admissions
Activities:
  • Teambuilding on the low-ropes course
  • Hands-on simulations in fitness and anatomy laboratories
  • Wheelchair basketball
  • Stop the Bleed Certification
  • Evening carnival, movie, and karaoke/ice cream social!
Student:
  • Student applications are submitted via a confidential online application.
    *Note: students, please fill this application out with your parent or guardian as they will need to sign the application at the time of submission and fill out health insurance information. Your application will not be complete until a supplemental recommendation from your teacher/school administrator is received.
  • Deadline to apply: Friday, April 26
iHEAL Student Application - Apply Here


Recommenders:

  • Thank you for supporting your student in their interest in attending iHEAL! Please take 10 minutes to submit your secure student recommendation.
    *Note: student applications are not complete until a supplemental teacher/school administrator recommendation is received.

iHEAL Teacher/Administrator Recommendation - Click Here

Faculty:
  • CHHS iHEAL faculty instructors are responsible for providing interactive health & human services academic instruction to rising 9th graders from historically underrepresented backgrounds and surrounding SE North Carolina counties. Instructors create high-impact, interactive workshops based upon their interest areas which expose students to their respective health & human service fields and promote students’ continued healthcare exploration. 
  • There will be two iHEAL camps in 2024, one for girls, and one for boys. This position requires a commitment from the faculty instructor to prepare and teach one session in each camp over the course of two consecutive weeks.
  • Instruction should be age-appropriate and align with the iHEAL learning objectives below:

    Students will leave iHEAL with:
    • Knowledge of the various career opportunities available in health & human services within the SE North Carolina region
    • An understanding of the impact of social determinants of health
    • An understanding of how academic programs can prepare students to become healthcare leaders
    • An understanding of personal well-being as a construct of self-care

    Students should be able to answer the following upon program completion:
    • What are different fields within health & human services?
    • What are health disparities and social determinants of health in the local area? 
    • What are possible career pathways in health & human services?
    • What is the importance of personal well-being?
    • What does a specific program of study look like within the College of Health & Human Services at UNCW?
Camper Safety
  • iHEAL reserves the right to update our pandemic protocols in alignment with UNCW and community recommendations.
  • If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 and has not been released from isolation, they are not allowed to attend camp. Similarly, if your child is under a quarantine order and has not been released from quarantine, they are also not allowed to attend camp.
  • If your child becomes ill while at camp, you will need to make arrangements for them to be picked up.
  • Please refer to the iHEAL policies & procedures for more information.
Policies & Procedures
  • To ensure that everyone has a positive experience while participating in a camp or program located on University of North Carolina Wilmington facilities, students attending iHEAL are expected to behave in a disciplined, responsible, and respectful manner. Failure to follow iHEAL policies and procedures will result in immediate disciplinary action.
iHEAL summer camp runs for 4-days/3-nights. Each student is allowed one suitcase and one small item such as a backpack.

*Note: Each student is responsible for all items brought to camp and for taking all belongings home at the end of camp.
What to Bring:
  • 5 changes of everyday clothes including: T-shirts, shorts, pants, socks, underwear, light jacket, and raincoat
  • 1 nice modest outfit (slacks and button-down shirt/polo/blouse, or knee-length skirt or dress) plus dress shoes for closing luncheon
  • 2 pairs of pajamas. Note: pajamas worn in dorms must be modest and meet iHEAL dress code
  • 2 pairs of shoes (closed-toe sneakers are required)
  • Shower shoes
  • Toiletries, personal hygiene items, and bathroom tote
  • Hat and/or sunglasses
  • Waterproof sunscreen
  • Necessary medications to be stored with iHEAL staff (must be packed in compliance with iHEAL regulations - see participant information and medical release for more information)
  • Small bottle of laundry detergent
  • Small handsoap for shared bathroom
  • Light blanket
  • Pillow
  • One towel/washcloth is provided. If you want additional towels, you may bring them.
  • Small backpack
  • Healthy snacks in sealed containers (all meals will be provided)
  • Reusable water bottle
What NOT to Bring:
  • Inappropriate materials and/or anything in violation of iHEAL policies and/or code of conduct
  • Bulky comforter
  • Pillowcase and sheets (provided by UNCW)
  • Excess luggage (each camper is allowed one suitcase and one small item such as a backpack)
  • Are meals provided? Yes, iHEAL will provide 3 meals per day at the UNCW dining hall, and occasional additional snacks. Students who want to bring their own snacks in sealed containers are welcome to do so. A reusable water bottle is also on the recommended packing list.
  • My student has food allergies. How will you accommodate their needs? Students and parents are asked to provide student food and additional allergy information on their initial iHEAL application.  Campus dining will provide accommodations based upon disclosed allergies.  Please reiterate allergy needs to iHEAL staff upon arrival to confirm.
  • My student takes prescription medications. How will their medications be administered? Students who take medications will be asked to list their medications on their paperwork prior to arrival at iHEAL. iHEAL staff will store medications in a safe place and supervise administration each day. Please reiterate specific medication dosing and logistics to iHEAL staff upon camp arrival.
  • What is the iHEAL dress code? Please refer to the iHEAL Policies & Procedures for dress code details.
  • Are linens provided? Yes, provided linens include two sheets, a pillowcase, a blanket, a towel, and a washcloth. Students will need to bring their own pillow, a light blanket, and toiletries, including handsoap.
  • Are laundry facilities available? Yes, laundry facilities will be available at no cost. Laundry detergent is not provided.
  • What electronic equipment is allowed? Electronics are not allowed during structured camp activities, unless in case of emergency. All electronics brought to iHEAL are the camper’s responsibility.
  • What evening activities will my student participate in? Evening activities may include guest speakers, campus exploration, scavenger hunts, team building, leadership activities, movie night, and socials.
  • What will happen if a camper gets sick or injured while at iHEAL? iHEAL is committed to your student’s health and well-being. Every effort will be made to provide timely care in case of sickness or emergency. Parents will be contacted immediately if any issue were to arise. Health insurance information must be provided on the student’s initial iHEAL application.
  • How can I communicate with my student while at camp? Parents will subscribe to a communication app called Remind which will allow them to receive daily camp updates and direct communication with iHEAL staff in case of emergency.
  • What other important information should I know prior to arriving at iHEAL? Please review the communications sent to the parent or guardian on file regarding camp logistics.

Additional Resources

Sponsors

  • Novant Health
  • UNC School of Medicine
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