GORHAM – At least 16 middle-schoolers attending a camp at the University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus were taken to Portland hospitals Friday afternoon suffering from heat exhaustion, Gorham police said.

Ten of the youngsters went to Maine Medical Center for treatment while six others were brought to Mercy Hospital, according to police.

A USM spokesman said the kids were taking part in outdoor activities as part of a weeklong program being held on campus. Police said that when one of the kids fainted around midafternoon, the entire group was brought into the USM ice arena to cool off.

Shortly after, other youngsters began to complain of heat-related symptoms, police said.