Kameron Greene knew he'd participate in hands-on activities, but didn't expect to be helping to care for a baby that was addicted to drugs and alcohol.

"That made a big impression on me," the Farrell 16-year-old said of feeding, diapering and monitoring the heart rate and breathing of the baby at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital, Phoenix. "I was really shocked that I had to take care of it. I didn't think I'd be handling a crisis problem."

The budding physician got the opportunity at a medical camp sponsored by the National Youth Leadership Forum, a non-profit group that prepares young people for professional careers.

Kameron, who will be entering 11th grade at Farrell High in the fall, was nominated for the camp by his eighth-grade math teacher, Joyce Cannone.

Although he initially planned to attend camp at UCLA, that session filled up and he agreed to attend one in Phoenix and Tucson.

During the camp, which ran from June 22 through July 1, Kameron, who attended with about 300 others between the ages of 16 and 18, visited an AIDS clinic and a rehabilitation center, attended lectures on public health and organ donation, role-played as a just-graduated medical school student entering a residency program, observed a heart catheterization and debated the new federal patient privacy law.

Kameron and others had to diagnose the ailment of a Vietnamese woman who did not speak English. They worked with an interpreter.

"It was like 'Clue,' " he said. "We were putting all this data together to figure out what was wrong."

Kameron, who is interested in becoming a cardiologist, said the camp gave him an idea what it's like to be a doctor.

"You have to be like that," he said, snapping his fingers.

Kameron believes he has what it takes to be like that.

"I'm not shocked at the sight of blood," he said. "I like hands-on things and I don't procrastinate. If something needs done, I do it."

The camp convinced Kameron to enter the medical profession.

"I'm more sure of it now," he said.

Of course, he still has two years of high school left before he can start medical training.

"I can't wait until college," he said.

Kameron was able to attend the camp courtesy of donations from people who know him and many who do not.

"I would tremendously like to thank everyone who had an effect on my life, which they did, and donated," he said. "I will never forget them."