Medical Explorers

About Medical Explorers

Medical Explorers 2020-2021 Program is Postponed: Our volunteer resources are stretched to support the COVID-19 public health response at this time. Due to social distancing measures and visitor limitations in healthcare agencies, we are postponing this year to the 2021-2022 school year. We appreciate the support of the families and students in this program. More information about next year will be posted on our website throughout the upcoming school year.

Medical Explorers Post #647 is an exciting program sponsored by the Pierce County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) through the “Learning for Life” Division of the Boy Scouts of America to provide health career hands-on education and leadership opportunities.

This program enrolls any high school/home school aged student interested in health care professions. The program allows teens to explore medical careers through interactions with health care professionals currently working in the field.Medical Explorers Post #647 is an exciting program sponsored by the Pierce County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) through the “Learning for Life” Division of the Boy Scouts of America to provide health career hands-on education and leadership opportunities.

The program meets once a month for 2 hours, September through June each year. Applications are accepted May-July for the following school year.

Applications are available at www.piercecountymrc.org however we are postponing the program for the 2020-21 school year.  For more information and/or questions, please contact: Pierce County Medical Reserve Corps at 253-798-3566 or mrc@tpchd.org.

The student registration fee is $40 (scholarships available).

The Pierce County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization of health professionals and other interested volunteers. It is sponsored by the Office of the Surgeon General. The MRC consists of medical and non-medical volunteers who contribute to local health initiatives, such as activities meeting the Surgeon General’s priorities for public health, and supplement existing response capabilities in time of emergency. The MRC provides the structure necessary to pre-identify, credential, train, and activate medical and public health volunteers.

The “Learning for Life” Division of the Boy Scouts of America offers education programs for youth and young adults across the Unites States. Medical Explorers is sponsored by Learning for Life and is open to private, public and home school students.  Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Local community organizations initiate an explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The program allows teens to explore medical careers through interactions with health care professionals currently working in the field. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop leadership skills.

The most popular Health Exploring careers include:

• Nurse
• Physician
• Pharmacist
• Veterinarian
• Physical Therapists
• Psychologists / Psychiatrists
• Sports Medicine
• Dentistry
• Home Health Care Aide

Check out our By Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT DO MEDICAL EXPLORERS DO?

Meet monthly, during the school year, to discover careers in health. Meetings are 2 hours, from 6 – 8 pm at select locations around Tacoma, WA.

WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS TO JOINING?

• Leadership development
• Participation in practical, meaningful hands-on experiences
• Gaining insight into future health related careers
• Experiencing the benefits of community service
• Supportive relationship building

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BECOME AN EXPLORER?

• Completion 9^th grade & be 15 – 19 years old
• Attends school and/or home school in S. King, Pierce, Thurston, or Kitsap Counties
• Completion and submission of the application (see top of page)
• Payment of the $40 membership fee (scholarships available)
• Demonstrates an interest in exploring health careers
• Exhibits responsibility and dependability

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?

Attend the monthly meetings on the 2nd Monday of the month (2 hours) and complete 12 hours of volunteer service by the end of the year.

IS THIS GROUP JUST ABOUT MEDICINE?

No, Medical Explorers have the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of health service careers.

WHAT’S THE DRESS CODE?

Members are given an exclusive Medical Explorers shirt, badge, and are to wear either khaki or dark colored slacks to all meetings and volunteer activities.

WHO SPONSORS MEDICAL EXPLORERS?

It is sponsored by the Pierce County Medical Reserve Corps, a nonprofit organization of medical and non-medical volunteers that “utilize dedicated volunteers to improve the health, preparedness, and emergency response capabilities in Pierce County.”