In 2021, the target audience of Camp xSEL shifted to pre-medical and pre-clinical students to accommodate the pilot project, despite the conflicting and changing calendars of secondary schools and the University. 84 pre-medical and pre-clinical students moved into camp on October 16th. The program commenced on Monday, October 11th, with a five-week format beginning with the Training of Teachers (ToT) program. Classes officially started on October 18th, and the inaugural camp concluded with a final ceremony on November 12th at the Fendell Campus auditorium.
Camp xSEL 2021
Camp xSEL 2021 also inaugurated the program’s co-teaching model. Experienced UL faculty members served as Lead Instructors, each paired with Co-Instructors, who were either current education students from UL’s Teaching College or Teaching Apprentices (TAs) from AMD. The TAs gained valuable mentorship and collaborative experience in lesson planning, providing exposure to teaching in the health field.
The Training of Teachers (ToT) program, held from October 11-15, focused on the Backward Design lesson planning format and emphasized student-centered teaching approaches. Sessions covered topics such as Teacher Self-Care, Discipline vs. Punishment, and Advocacy, with dedicated time for instructors to collaboratively plan lessons.
Camp xSEL employed two Head Counselors and 10 Student Counselors to manage the camp and lead evening activities. Head Counselors oversaw student participation and health concerns, while Student Counselors monitored campers, led activities, and fostered team spirit.
Evening activities initially consisted of Critical Thinking Labs but later expanded to include quizzes, debates, inspirational talks, and a talent show. Counselors also organized the Awards Night Ceremony, held the night before the camp's closing event. Campers were divided into cohorts based on their educational backgrounds and housed in dormitories, with designated rooms for instructors and leadership. Campers attended classes daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, with an emphasis on interactive learning, lab sessions, and small group activities. Pre-topic evaluations were conducted on Mondays, with follow-up assessments later in the week to monitor progress. Guest speakers, including Dr. Bernice Dahn, Dr. Rose McCauley, and Mr. Ben Dossen, shared their insights on medicine, health, and mental health in Liberia.
In addition to academic courses, campers participated in workshops on sexual and reproductive health, writing clinics, and sports activities such as football and kickball. The camp culminated in an Awards Night to celebrate the achievements and efforts of the campers. Although some planned activities, such as community service and a speech competition, did not make the final schedule, Camp xSEL 2021 was a significant step in providing pre-medical and pre-clinical students with both educational enrichment and extracurricular engagement.