CHAMPS (Community Health Applied in Medical Public Service) began in 1995 in 3 rural communities in south Arkansas. The 1-week program is intended for junior high school students, providing hands-on experiences in health careers, health education and community service.

Through a variety of experiences, students interact with healthcare experts, such as physicians, nurses, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, radiologic technologists, physical therapists and pharmacists.  Exposure to different areas of medicine and other health-related professions is an integral part of the CHAMPS experience. Students learn to identify some of the various healthcare disciplines, see what they do, how they relate to one another, and discover how the fundamentals of biology, anatomy and other sciences are used in “real life” practice. Other activities offered during the 1-week program include training in CPR and First Aid, healthy lifestyle presentations and a community service project.

This program is for students entering grades 8, 9 and 10. To participate in CHAMPS, students must demonstrate above average scholastic ability as evidenced by their school transcripts. Additional selection criteria include recommendations by science teachers or school counselors, the application prepared by the student, and evaluation by the CHAMPS Selection Committee.