MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Efforts to better serve the health of residents of the Mississippi Delta have turned to sixth and seventh grade students through the Delta Futures project.

Delta Futures is an overnight camp to introduce participating middle school children to careers in health care. The weekend event will be held April 20-21 at Camp Lake Stephens in Oxford and is directed through the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

“This is an opportunity to look at the many careers in health care and to explore your personal career interests,” said Margaret Cotton, Delta Futures project coordinator. “Students will participate in a community health project, and the activities they take part in will help them make healthy choices in their own lives.”

Eligible youth are those in the sixth or seventh grades who live in the Mississippi Delta. Eligible counties are Bolivar, Carroll, Coahoma, Desoto, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Warren, Washington and Yazoo. A grant from the Delta Health Alliance covers all costs for the selected youth.

The camp is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in the health field. Participants must have a 2.0 grade-point average or higher and two letters of recommendation, including one from a teacher. March 23 is the deadline to apply.

The 85 slots will be filled on a first come/first served basis for eligible youth.

Contact Cotton at (662) 325-6792 or mcotton@ext.msstate.edu for more information on the Delta Futures project.