College of Public Health launches Camp C.A.R.E., blending Public Health preparation with a zombie survival twist

June 18, 2025

 

Camp C.A.R.E. particpants pose for a photo in an office on the UNT Health campus

By: Maya McMillian

The College of Public Health (CPH) at The University of North Texas Health Science Center hosted their inaugural Camp C.A.R.E. in partnership with Brewer High School of Fort Worth, Texas.

A PhD student co-facilitating a camp session.

PhD student co-facilitating a camp session

Camp C.A.R.E., which stands for Community, Action, Research and Education, is a week-long summer camp offered to high school students with interests in careers in public health or healthcare administration. Twenty-five students took part in this year’s camp, which explored a zombie apocalypse theme.

Students learned about topics in environmental health, health administration, epidemiology, geographic information systems, maternal and child health and leadership. Modeled after a professional conference, the week featured a series of breakout sessions led by CPH faculty, staff, and current students, each focusing on a different healthcare topic. All topics focused on a required skillset for the effective survival of a zombie apocalypse.

The activities throughout the week allowed Brewer students to develop both academic and professional skills that could be utilized in a college setting and in their personal lives. Sessions throughout the week included time management, wellness, budgeting, and ethical decision making to name a few. In addition, students were able to speak with an admissions specialist to ask questions regarding college and the admissions process as well as learn about the array of on-campus resources available to enrolled students.

Camp C.A.R.E. participants gather at a table. A map showing Hopewell County is shown during a presentation on a screen. Camp C.A.R.E. participants gather at a table. They face a screen. Some have their hands raised.

At the conclusion of the week, Brewer students received a tour of the UNT Health Science Center before putting their knowledge from the week to the ultimate test in a final group activity. Upon the completion of all camp activities, students received a Camp C.A.R.E. certification, confirmation of community service hours, and documentation of how attendees could include the camp on their resume or admissions applications.