Frequently Asked Questions About M.A.S.H. Camp

We encourage you to apply early. Due to the applicant volume, MultiCare reviews and considers the first 250 fully completed applications every year. Applications must include all of the required/mandatory information in the application form. All applications are reviewed thoroughly, and participants are accepted based on a variety of factors.

The number of students accepted into M.A.S.H. Camp varies by year, based on location and hospital guidelines and availability.

Participants are limited to attend M.A.S.H. Camp once. MultiCare extends acceptance only to those who have not had the opportunity to experience M.A.S.H. Camp before.

Medical experience or knowledge is not required to apply or attend M.A.S.H. Camp.

This is an opportunity to participate in activities and job shadows to help you determine if pursuing a health care career is right for you.

We do not accept applications from participants located outside of Pierce, south King, Kitsap, and north Thurston counties.

Resumes are a required component of the application process for M.A.S.H. Camp. Submitting a transcript is no longer required.

We believe the process of writing a resume helps support students in recognizing their individual strength, while developing real-world skills for future applications (including higher education and beyond).

For your application, please prepare a resume that highlights your interest in health care or related fields, your extracurricular or academic experience, and any unique accomplishments, skills, or awards. View a sample resume here.

After completing the application, you will share a URL with your reference to complete. We do not accept paper or email submissions. Do not use friends, family members, or friends of your family as a reference.

There is no fee to attend. M.A.S.H. Camp is a free, community-based enrichment program.

We greatly appreciate the gracious donations we receive from a variety of community organizations and businesses, including support from the MultiCare Foundations and proceeds from Sound to Narrows.

Yes, an auto-generated response will be sent to the email address provided in your application. All communication will be delivered to your email. If you do not receive a notification, please check your junk/spam folder.

We do not accept late submission of required documents (including the reference survey, resume, application and vaccination records) after the deadline passes. This ensures a fair and equitable process for all applicants.

The application includes three essay questions that you are required to complete, with a 150 minimum word count and a 250 maximum word count.

There is a fourth question which is optional. However, we do encourage you to respond to this question. The fourth question provides insight about you personally, which may help you stand out from other applicants.

Lastly, it is high recommended that you answer your questions in a Word document. This will allow you to track your word count and receive assistance from the built-in grammar and spelling check feature.

Once you have finalized your essay responses, simply copy and paste each response back into the space provided within the application section called “Essay Questions.”

Applicants accepted into M.A.S.H. camp will be contacted through the email* provided in your application. Notifications are sent around the beginning of May.

Once you are accepted into M.A.S.H. Camp, there are additional required documents which must be completed and returned to us at a mandatory orientation held in June.

*Note: Please use a personal email for your application. We do not recommend using a school email address.

Sophomore or junior students are encouraged to re-apply the following year. You may also browse our additional resources about the health care profession.

A small number of applicants will be waitlisted. This does not guarantee admission to the program. Waitlisted students  will be contacted if space becomes available. If space becomes does not become available and you are not selected to attend camp this year, we encourage you to apply again next year.

If you have not received all required immunizations, you will need to receive the immunizations and provide proof of vaccination before the M.A.S.H. Camp orientation. These immunizations and tests are all required by MultiCare policy.

If you have an allergy or have experienced an adverse reaction to any of the listed and required vaccinations, you will be required to provide proof of your reactions in a formal letter written by your doctor (on business letterhead) that states you cannot be given the immunization which caused you to have an adverse reaction. The letter from your doctor will need to be emailed to your region’s M.A.S.H. Camp coordinator for formal approval from MultiCare Human Potential.

• Inland Northwest (Spokane) region: [email protected]
• Puget Sound region: [email protected]
• Yakima region: [email protected]

If the letter is approved, you will be allowed to attend and fully participate in all scheduled activities throughout the M.A.S.H. Camp week. If HR determines it would not be in your best interest to participate in M.A.S.H. Camp, you will be notified and withdrawn from the camp roster.

Tuberculosis is a serious disease that attacks the lungs and could pose a significant risk to our already immunocompromised patients.

If your test results come back and it is deemed that you are positive for active tuberculosis, you will need to schedule a doctor’s appointment to be evaluated by a health care provider. They will order additional tests and X-rays to confirm whether or not you definitively have tuberculosis. Your attendance to M.A.S.H. Camp is subject to withdrawal.

Once accepted into M.A.S.H. Camp, tuberculosis (QuantiFERON gold) testing will be mandatory in order to participate in the camp all week. Testing is usually covered by most insurances and/or Medicaid. Please contact your insurance directly to confirm coverage. You will need to contact/call the location(s) to confirm cost and ensure testing is available prior to being seen.

Locations that will likely provide tuberculosis (QuantiFERON gold) testing include:

• Your primary care provider
• Most local pharmacies and in pharmacy clinics
• Most urgent care clinics
• Laboratory
• Washington State Department of Health
• Sea-Mar Clinics

View a list of testing locations in Pierce county.

The tuberculosis titer test (QuantiFERON Gold) is not required unless you are accepted into the M.A.S.H. Camp program.

If you are accepted into M.A.S.H. Camp, we do recommend that you complete this testing early. This will ensure you have your tuberculosis test completed in a timely manner.

If you are accepted into M.A.S.H. camp, you will be provided with scrubs to wear. Your shoes must be closed toed, and recommend that your footwear be comfortable.

All campers are expected to stay for the duration of camp each day, between 8:30am – 4:00pm, and participate in all the activities unless previously arranged and authorized.

If you are accepted and an emergency that arises, please let us know so that we can make necessary recommendations and/or accommodations for you.