CDC Disease Detective Camp
Please check back for information about 2010 camps.
June 2006 camper Victor Lesniewski prepares his pipette for a pulse field gel electrophoresis lab.
An experience to remember "I came to this program with only basic knowledge of the CDC's work… I left with new friends from all over the country and knowing that I want to pursue this as a career." Farish Jerman (middle), 2006 July participant. Farish is pictured here with her outbreak investigation team members, Mariana-Marcuse Gonzalez (left) and Ting Gou (right).
Alex Foster (left) and Maheen Shermohammed (right) look on as fellow camper Scott Dove (center) makes a statement during the Mock Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever outbreak press conference.
Teens Get a Peek into Public Health Careers
The CDC Disease Detective Camp is an academic day camp held at CDC's headquarters in Atlanta, GA. The camp is open to upcoming high school juniors and seniors who will be 16 years old by the first day of camp. Students interested in working in a team environment with other motivated students are encouraged to apply!
Over the course of five days, campers will take on the role of disease detectives and learn first-hand how the CDC safeguards the nation’s health. Attendees also learn the diversity of careers available in the field of public health and at CDC. Careers are explored as campers take on tasks associated with various jobs at CDC. Tasks are as varied as the careers covered - one morning might be spent learning the use of statistics in an outbreak investigation while the afternoon covers the importance of communication. Other activities may include lectures by CDC experts, a mock press conference in the CDC press room, an introduction to laboratory techniques used at CDC or a public heath law class taught with the Socratic Method. During the week core academics subjects are used-math, science, language arts- in fast-paced sessions designed to challenge participants. No prior knowledge about public health or epidemiology is needed, but all attendees are expected to show up eager to learn and participate.
Interested? Look at the sample schedule of activities and read the Frequently Asked Questions.
June 2007 Campers Polina Shvidkaya and Megan Twomey look on as Aerin DeJarnette places the cover on the team’s gel chamber during the camp's lab experience.
July 2007 campers engage in a mock press conference.
July 2006 CDC Disease Detective Camp participants