While the summer months usually mean lounging by the pool or participating in sports for most middle school students, 13 from Hanover County performed “brain surgery” and sewed a pig’s foot.

But that’s not all.

They also learned about wound care, how to start an IV (intravenous therapy), and how to prepare for surgery.

With two students from the Richmond area joining in, Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville offered a week of hands-on study for the group.

The Nursing Explorers Camp, which targets middle school students who are interested in future careers in the health care field, offers the opportunity to learn the basics of the profession.

As the week was winding down, Friday morning was abuzz with “brain surgery.” Rachel Hockmann, nursing retention officer at the local hospital, had the students split into teams to perform the “surgery” on a brain that was primarily made of Jello.

“It feels like watermelon,” said 11-year-old Christian Denmark, who attends Chickahominy Middle School. His curiosity is rooted in his home—his mother Deborah is a registered nurse in the Neurology Department at Memorial Regional, with 15 years of experience.

As a matter of fact, her influence has sparked such interest that the youngster has decided he wants to become a neurologist.

His 12-year-old brother Daniel also took part in the week in the world of health care.

“This is very hard,” Daniel said as he carefully sliced into the “brain.”

The brothers were being assisted by Katy Warren, 13, also a Chickahominy Middle student. She literally dug right in, and proudly displayed the “tumor” she removed. Grapes and raisins were placed in the Jello mixture to represent tumors.

About midway down the “operating table,” Heather Bradley, 12, another Chickahominy Middle student, was gaining some first-hand experience in her future.

She said she has wanted to become a brain surgeon for some time. Participating in last week’s program only strengthened her decision.

“They have asked millions of questions,” Hockmann said of the 15 students.

Memorial Regional Medical Center served as the pilot site for the program last year. Interest was so great that the other three hospitals in the Bon Secours system came on board this year in offering the week-long learning project. A total of 64 students participated.

“This week has been really great,” said 11-year-old Amanda Yates, a student at George H. Moody Middle School in Richmond.

While she was deep into her “surgery,” she added “We got to scope a watermelon.”