How My Body Works Camp
August 11- August 25, 2026

In Humjibre, Ghana, junior high students are eager to learn—but few have had a chance to explore basic anatomy or health science in a fun, hands-on way.

This session gives you the opportunity to:
- Lead interactive sessions on key body systems
- Build simple, reusable models and activities
- Create fun, memorable ways to learn about health
- Collaborate with GHEI staff in a safe, supportive environment

You may even inspire the next generation of health workers!

Sample daily themes and activities

Day 1- Organs and gastrointestinal

Key Concepts: Name, location, and function of major internal organs; digestive system
- Organ Map Challenge: Students place labeled organ cutouts on a large human outline
- Organ Function Relay: Teams collect cards and match them to the correct body area
- “Track the food” path through the digestive system with cut-outs or rope trail

Day 2- Heart

Key Concepts: Pulse, heartbeat, circulation, exercise effects
- Use stethoscopes to listen to each other’s hearts (resting + after running laps)
- Take and record pulse at wrist and neck before and after jumping jacks
- Build a "blood flow path" obstacle course (oxygen-rich vs. oxygen-poor)
- Draw and label a basic heart + blood path (color-coded arteries/veins)

Day 3- Lungs

Key Concepts: Oxygen exchange, effects of activity
- Breathing awareness exercise: “count your breaths” before/after light running
- Build a balloon-lung-in-a-bottle model to show how lungs work
- Act out the path of oxygen from nose to blood using a role-play relay

Day 4- Musculoskeletal

Key Concepts: Body structure, joint function
- “Match the movement”: Students act out actions and name the muscle/bone involved
- Joint station: Learn hinge, ball-and-socket, pivot by acting them out
- View and discuss sample X-rays to identify bones and understand fractures
- Create body outlines and place (draw or cut/paste) bones and major muscles

Day 5- Immune System

- “Germ spread” experiment using glitter or flour to show how easily germs transfer
- Role-play: Immune cells vs. bacteria (tag-style game or obstacle course)
- Build a basic immune system diagram (skin, mucus, white blood cells, etc.)
- Handwashing challenge using simulated germs (paint, powder, or visual test)

Day 6- Showcase

- Students present what they learned (skits, posters, games)
- Volunteers set up simple stations to share what they taught
- Invite parents and caregivers to engage, reinforcing messages at home

Download Sample Itinerary

Who will I work with?

Joseph, Happy and Mensah will work with volunteers to conduct all camp planning and sessions. Dr. Rickard will assist with planning and play an advisory role.