FORT SMITH — This summer, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) opened its campus to young minds across the River Valley, offering a diverse lineup of camps and day programs designed to inspire creativity, nurture self-assurance, and build meaningful connections. From hands-on healthcare simulations to culinary explorations, ceramics, and innovative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities, ACHE became a space where students felt empowered and reminded that they belong here, with a future full of possibilities.
At the heart of it all was ACHE’s deep commitment to the community by partnering with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, Fort Smith Boys and Girls Shelters, Community Rescue Mission, Peak Innovation Center, United Way of Fort Smith Area, Mercy, and Baptist Health.
Among the many highlights was Latinos en Medicina, a four-day camp for local Latino youth designed to open doors to careers in healthcare. Rising 8th and 9th grade students from area middle schools practiced CPR, stepped into clinical settings, and learned side-by-side with ARCOM (Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine) faculty and student doctors.
High schoolers also explored the world of medicine through immersive MASH (Medical Applications of Science for Health) camps, gaining experience through hands-on activities, clinical rotations, and mentorship. Students practiced skills in simulated medical settings, engaged directly with ARCOM faculty and student doctors, and discovered the many ways healthcare professionals work together to care for patients. For many, it was their first real glimpse into the fast-paced, collaborative world of healthcare.
In addition to these larger camps, ACHE invited youth to explore nutrition and cooking, while STEAM programming offered interactive lessons in science, technology, the arts, and more. ACHE hosted day experiences for residents of local youth shelters, which included rotating sessions in ceramics, fabrication, and cooking at the ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center, ending with a shared lunch and a backpack filled with supplies, snacks, and activities to take home. The goal was to inspire students and set them up for success in the upcoming school year.
What made each program extraordinary wasn’t just the activities, but the people. Faculty, staff, and students from across ACHE showed up with energy, encouragement, and genuine care. Whether guiding a child through a science experiment, teaching a new cooking skill, or cheering on a hesitant first attempt at CPR, they made sure every participant left feeling seen, capable, and inspired. In doing so, ACHE’s summer outreach didn’t just teach new skills, it planted seeds of confidence, curiosity, and the belief that big dreams are worth chasing. When a child sees what’s possible, they begin to imagine what’s next. And that’s how futures change.
