At The Plaid Horse, we love to promote careers in the equine industry that might not necessarily entail riding and training. Veterinarians play a crucial role in the industry and the care of our equine partners, whether they be companions, athletes or somewhere in between—and other animals.
For students interested in pursuing the veterinary field, we’ve compiled a list of summer camps or programs being offered at a variety of colleges and universities in 2023:
Albion College – Brits Vet Camp
Brit Vets is a veterinary medical school preparatory camp for high school students entering 10-12 grades who are interested in pursing a career in veterinary medicine. Student participants will have the opportunity to learn in hands-on environments while working with multi-disciplinary faculty from across campus. In addition, students will learn from small animal veterinarians and large animal veterinarians at the Held Equestrian Center. The students will also participate in sessions on college and veterinary medical school admissions with a focus on how they can better prepare themselves for a career as a veterinarian. Participants will receive college credit for this four day experiential learning camp on Albion College’s campus.
Auburn University – Junior, Senior & Advanced Vet Camps
Second-year veterinary students, alongside faculty, technicians and staff lead campers in activities and coursework to simulate actual veterinary education. Campers learn and study on the College of Veterinary Medicine campus in laboratories and classrooms designed for veterinary students.
Clemson University – Summer Scholars Vet Camp
This opportunity will include live animal veterinary skills by milking dairy cows, bottle feeding calves, working beef cattle, shearing sheep, artificial insemination in pigs, and handling of horses. Students will also visit a fully-functional veterinary hospital and learn how to dissect post-mortem animals, suture, ultrasound, perform blood tests, and evaluate hierological samples.
Colorado State University – Summer Vet Camp for Future Veterinarians
The Summer Vet Program is a student’s ticket to the world of veterinary medicine. For students who are serious about becoming a veterinarian, this is a super opportunity to look into the real and sometimes gritty field of veterinary medicine. Through presentation, demonstrations, laboratory visits, and hands-on activities, students discover what modern veterinary medicine is about.
Cornell University – Veterinary Explorations Program
The Veterinary Explorations Program at Cornell is offered through the University’s Precollege Studies summer program. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the profession through speakers, laboratories, and demonstrations.
Iowa State University – AgDiscovery
AgDiscovery is a summer camp outreach program to help middle through high school aged students explore careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, agribusiness, plant pathology, aquaculture, and much more. This 2-4 week program allows participants to live on a college campus and learn about agricultural science from university professors, practicing veterinarians, industry representatives, and professionals working for the U.S. government. Students who participate in AgDiscovery gain experience through hands-on labs, workshops, field trips and other group and team building activities.
Michigan State University – 4-H Animal & Veterinary Science Camp
This five-day pre-college program held at Michigan State University is a partnership with the Michigan 4-H Youth Development, MSU Department of Animal Science, and MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Youth will explore fields relating to animal and veterinary medicine as well as participate in numerous hands-on learning activities. Participants will also gain animal handling experience while having the opportunity to visit and explore MSU farms and facilities. Throughout the week, teens will work their way through a veterinary science case study as a team and create a presentation to be critiqued by veterinarians.
Mississippi State University – MSU Vet Camp
MSU Vet Camp is a hands-on experience led by actual veterinary medicine professors with the assistance of current veterinary students, who serve as camp counselors. Camp features a variety of interactive labs, allowing participants to explore the world of veterinary medicine. Both day and overnight camps are available based upon camper age, with day camps lasting either one day or three days and overnight camps lasting five days.
North Carolina State University – VetCAMP
VetCAMP is a 5 day summer camp hosted by the Veterinary Professions Advising Center (VetPAC) at North Carolina State University. Since 2011, this camp has educated students about careers in veterinary medicine and the various opportunities within the field. Camp activities include a tour of the College of Veterinary Medicine, basics of a small animal clinic, hands-on experience with horses, sheep and pigs at the NC State Animal Education Units, suture and dissection labs, learning about NC State majors and more!
Ohio State University – Buckeye Vet Camp
This is a five day residential camp that gives participants an opportunity to learn more about veterinary school and the profession. The program takes place in a university environment and includes both social and educational activities.
Oregon State University – OSU Summer Veterinary Experience
Mentors and instructors work with students to discover and explore their talents and understanding of the basic sciences, animal and human health, and social sciences. Throughout the experience, staff provide a supportive atmosphere, with emphasis on teamwork and open discussion. Participants also receive guidance on preparing for college and the financial aid process.
Purdue University – Boiler Vet Camp
Through presentations, demonstrations, laboratories, visits and in-depth, hands-on activities, students will discover what modern veterinary medicine is all about. Students will gain personal experience of what it is like to attend vet school and what it takes to become a veterinarian or veterinary technician through this seven day on-campus experience at one of the premier veterinary schools in the country. Students entering 8th and 9th grades are eligible to attend Jr. Camp and students entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades are eligible to attend the Sr. Camp.
St. Andrews University – Knights Vet Camp
This camp is designed for students who are considering future undergraduate and graduate courses of study and careers in Veterinary Science and Biology. Students will be living in Campus Residence Halls for the program and will work alongside In-Residence Veterinarian Dr. Laura Kellam. Students will have daily lectures, experience in their 20,000 square foot open science lab, and work hands-on with Equine patients at our 300+ acre university Equestrian Center. Students will dive deep into lecture topics on Equine Dentistry, Cardiology, Ophthalmology, and Equine Health and Wellness. Students will also have a chance to visit the Asheboro Zoo and local farms as part of the program as well.
Texas A&M – Veterinary Enrichment Camp
This high-impact summer camp is for high school students who have an interest in the profession of veterinary medicine. The two-day virtual camp will give participants the opportunity to explore the possibilities of veterinary medicine as a career. Participants will attend special sessions, and discover the broad diversity of career opportunities available to graduates with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
Tufts University – Adventures in Veterinary Medicine High School Program
The Adventures in Veterinary Medicine High School Program is an engaging and fun way for high school students to spend two weeks learning more about the veterinary profession. This is your opportunity to dig into veterinary medicine through an exciting and intensive program where you’ll be surrounded by others who share your passion for animals, health, and science.
University of Connecticut – Pre-Vet: Marine Animal Health and Veterinary Science Course
Through this course students will participate in labs, tours and activities that will increase their scientific literacy in genetics, hematology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology. Students will learn about careers and education/career pathways directly from working professionals to understand if animal health and veterinary science is a desirable education and career path. Journal discussions will develop students’ skills in reading and analysis of primary scientific literature.
University of Georgia – UGA VetCAMP
VetCAMP (Veterinary Career Aptitude and Mentoring Program) is an intensive weeklong summer program for high school students at the UGA campus in Athens. At VetCAMP, students experience veterinary medicine – and will be involved in activities aimed at evaluating their skills and competitiveness as future veterinarians. The week is filled with visits and hands-on learning at our veterinary teaching hospital, diagnostic labs, and the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center — and highlighted by a behind-the-scenes tour of the Georgia Aquarium. In addition, campers learn about what vet school is all about – from admissions to classes to study abroad opportunities, to the wide variety of career paths veterinary medicine has to offer.
UNC Chapel Hill – Junior Vet Academy
Campers will be exposed to a diverse population of animals in both farm and clinical settings. Our camp is based out of the award winning 1870 Farm in the heart of Chapel Hill. Campers will also have the opportunity to experience our sister farm located just a short drive away in Silk Hope, as well a several local visits to veterinary centers, animal rescues and the NC State University animal science center.
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