The CDC just began accepting applications for their annual summer Disease Detective Camp.  The Camp is open to motivated students who’ll be high-school juniors or seniors during the 2014-2015 school year.  Over the course of five days, campers  take on the role of disease detectives.   Campers can expect a variety of experiences including re-created outbreaks, mock press conferences, environmental and global health activities, a laboratory session, an introduction to chronic disease surveillance, public health law, and short lectures from world-renowned CDC scientists.  Here’s a sample schedule. 

Applicants need to be 16 years old by the first day of the camp in order to comply with CDC’s laboratory safety requirements.  Two sessions will be offered this summer:  June 23-27, and July 21-25.  Applicants are selected based on the Application Essay Questions submitted and the teacher/counselor Recommendation Form.  Applications need to be postmarked by April 11. 

The Camp is free, but campers are responsible for providing their own accommodations and transportation. Campers in past years have stayed with family friends or relatives in Atlanta.