FDRHPO Expands Summer MASH Camp With Two New Sites, Including First‑Ever Army Medical Experience

LifeNet Flight Nurse/Paramedic, Rod Kester, speaks with students on the landing zone at Carthage Area Hospital during the 2025 Summer MASH Camp. (Holly Boname/FDRHPO)

Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) is expanding our popular Summer MASH Camp program for 2026, adding two new locations – the North Country Family Health Center (NoCo) and a first‑of‑its‑kind Army Medical experience through Fort Drum’s MEDDAC. The additions mark a significant step in FDRHPO’s ongoing effort to strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce pipeline.

MASH Camp, a no‑cost program for students in grades 8 – 12, offers hands‑on exposure to healthcare careers through interactive activities, department tours, and real‑world demonstrations. Students can apply online through June 5, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Beth Solar, Workforce Outreach Manager at FDRHPO, said interest in this year’s sessions is already high.

“With the addition of two new locations, including our first-ever Army Medical experience, students will have even more opportunities to explore healthcare careers in dynamic, real-world settings,” Mrs. Solar said.

Each camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering students a chance to observe healthcare professionals, explore hospital departments, and participate in activities with local fire departments and medical air transport services.

MASH CAMP LOCATION AND DATES:

·         River Hospital:  July 6–8

·         Samaritan Medical Center, Session #1: July 13–15

·         Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center: July 21–23

·         North Country Family Health Center: July 22–23 (New 2‑day camp location)

·         Fort Drum MEDDAC / Army Medical Experience:  July 27–28 (New 2-day camp; location TBD.)

·         Lewis County Health System: July 28–30

·         Gouverneur Hospital: July 28–30

·         Samaritan Medical Center, Session #2: August 10–12

·         Carthage Area Hospital: August 12–14

·         Samaritan Medical Center, Session #3: August 24–26

Due to our region’s rural location in the far northern corner of New York state, recruiting and retaining an adequate supply of healthcare professionals has always been a struggle for our local providers. For years, however, FDRHPO has been committed to assisting with this process through its long-term regional Recruitment, Retention, and Education (RREC) program, and is dedicated to building a strong regional healthcare workforce by offering healthcare career exploration programs to elementary students through adults, working with higher education to increase access to healthcare education, and educating our community on the range of healthcare career opportunities available. Our efforts are aimed at continuously enhancing healthcare excellence within the community.

In addition, FDRHPO partners with the Workforce Development Institute (WDI) to fund MASH Camp as a FREE program for area students.

Students and other individuals interested in exploring healthcare careers can also take advantage of FDRHPO’s Job Shadow program, an exciting opportunity to step inside real healthcare settings and see the profession in action. By connecting participants with local healthcare professionals and clinical environments, the program offers a valuable firsthand look at the skills, teamwork, and day-to-day experiences that shape today’s healthcare careers, helping inspire the next generation of providers and guiding participants toward informed education and career choices.

For more information about MASH Camp or Job Shadow opportunities, follow this link, email workforce@fdrhpo.org, or call 315-755-2020 ext. 25.