This summer’s Laredo College Health Sciences Summer Camp gave campers the chance to step into the operating room and experience the joy of a game of giant Operation. Lovingly built by staff, the Operation game made its debut to bring children and the health sciences closer together.
“When kids associate learning with fun, it sticks with them,” Vocational Nursing Program Director Rosalinda Montemayor said. “I believe this experience will be something they remember—not just because of the game, but because it introduced them to the world of health sciences.”
Operation is a game in which players must carefully extract items from cavities on the patient without either the object or tweezers touching the edges. The campers’ diligence and patience were put to the test with each cavity, and the cheerful laughter that erupted whenever the buzzer sounded was every bit as delightful as the buzz itself inside the College of Health Sciences Building.
Montemayor and LC Nursing Lead Simulation Lab Technician Everardo Perez began working on the giant game soon after last year’s summer camp. According to Perez, with his strong understanding of electronics and Montemayor’s thoughtful idea, the game concept was brought to life in time for this year’s camp.
They believed a life-size Operation game would be engaging and entertaining for kids—and they weren’t wrong. Over the span of the week, they saw children having fun, many of them reattempting the game until they succeeded. This determination and excitement made the camp a triumph—and it’s the same spirit found in LC health sciences students that helps them stand out in their field.
“I hope they left feeling inspired and curious. If this game sparked even a small interest in health sciences or nursing, then we’ve done something meaningful,” Montemayor said. “I want them to know that health sciences are for everyone. It’s a field full of opportunities to help others and make a real difference. At LC’s Health Sciences Division, we’re here to support and inspire the next generation—whether they’re just starting to explore or already dreaming big.”
