LA GRANDE, Ore.-Applications are now open for the free 2026 MedQuest Health Career Exploration Camps for high school students interested in medical careers in Oregon’s rural and frontier communities.
The annual camps are offered by Northeast Oregon Area Health Education Center (NEOAHEC), a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the shortage of healthcare workers in rural Oregon by developing its own health professionals that reflect the needs of the communities they serve.
MedQuest camps have been offered since 1994, and NEOAHEC has expanded offerings from a week-long camp in La Grande, to include camps in Crane/Burns and The Dalles this year.
Students attending free MedQuest camps will be able to shadow healthcare professionals and will learn how to take vitals, suture, stop bleeding, perform CPR, how to properly take Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on and off, and more.
The agenda for each day of camp includes hands-on activities led by a current practicing healthcare provider or educator, presentations, and recreation.
Free 2026 MedQuest Health Career Exploration Camps
- The Gorge MedQuest, March 24-26 in The Dalles: A day camp version of MedQuest Camp for students who live in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam Counties
- Rural MedQuest, June 15-20 in La Grande: The original MedQuest Camp offers an overnight camp experience for all students interested in a well-rounded view of health care
- Frontier MedQuest, July 7-11 in Crane/Burns: Overnight camp provides the full MedQuest experience
Two virtual MedQuest Application Question and Answer sessions will be held to help those interested in attending camp with the application process on February 3 at 3 p.m. and March 5 at 6 p.m. Links and recordings of the sessions will be available on the NEOAHEC website.
Camp Counselors are also needed for all MedQuest Camp locations. Anyone over 18 can apply to be a counselor, but professional or educational experience in healthcare is preferred. Applications are available online.
More information about NEOAHEC and applications for 2026 MedQuest Camps are also available online.
