Young entrepreneurs in Portage la Prairie will soon get the chance to turn their ideas into reality at this year’s Kids Biz Camp taking place at Stride Place.
The camp, hosted by Community Futures Heartland, runs July 21st to 25th and is open to children between the ages of 9 and 13.
Ken Reimer, general manager with Community Futures Heartland, says the camp covers the essentials of running a business, including a hands-on sales opportunity at the end of the week.
“We're going to teach the kids ages 9 to 13 some business basics,” notes Reimer. “We teach them all about marketing and financials and customer service and then we take some business tours in the afternoons to local entrepreneurs and hear their story. Then we also get them to start making a product midweek and then they sell it at the farmers market on Thursdays.”
Reimer adds that while some schools offer business education at the high school level, this camp aims to spark curiosity earlier on.
“This kind of just starts them a little bit earlier on, in middle school where they can learn about entrepreneurship and sort of get that spark going within them to learn and make some money when they get a little bit older,” he says.
Real-world experience with a creative twist
The camp ends with a visit to the Portage Farmers Market, where the kids get to sell the products they’ve created.
Reimer says past creations have been both imaginative and successful.
“The slime always goes well for the little kids,” he says. “We've had bracelets, we've had wind chimes, we've had homemade soap and hand scrub and sugar scrub... Basically the kids’ imagination is their only limit to what they can make.”
Beyond the fun and creativity, Reimer says the experience has a lasting impact on many of the kids who attend.
“A lot of these kids that we have, they get really excited about entrepreneurship and they love to make the product and they love to serve the customer and they certainly love to make some extra money,” he continues. “A lot of them will continue to make these products after the biz camp and sell them, either online or just through their friends.”
Camp expands to Oakville and Carman
In addition to the Portage camp, Community Futures is also planning to host Biz Camps in Oakville and Carman.
“The Carman and Oakville ones are in the same week, I believe that's August 18th to 22nd,” says Reimer.
For families interested in signing up, Reimer encourages a quick phone call to the office.
“You can certainly give the office a call at 204-239-0135 and we'll get your kids signed up,” he says.
Those interested can also e-mail heartland@cfheartland.ca. The cost to register is $100.
He also invites the public to stop by the Portage Farmers Market during camp week to support the young entrepreneurs and see what they’ve created.
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