Cabinet Supports Youth Entrepreneur Camp
This summer, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development's
Small Business Services Division will be a proud partner in Kentucky State
University's third annual Youth Entrepreneurship Camp. During the
expanded seven day camp, thirty high school students will be challenged to
learn what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Participants will
create a business plan, develop marketing and advertising strategies, and learn
about financing a business.
Students interested in applying for the camp must complete an
application, write a 50 word or less essay about why they want to learn about
entrepreneurship, and submit two letters of recommendation. Priority is
given to students who are recommended by their counselors or
teachers.
The students will be housed on the Kentucky State University
(KSU) campus and work in teams to develop business plans. Throughout the
week the group will hear from guest presenters providing instruction on
business planning, money management, marketing, computer usage, and business
ethics. Students will also have the opportunity to interview and observe
entrepreneurs and small business owners. In addition, they will
experience various team-building activities including a canoe trip and
overnight campout.
Each team will develop and produce a commercial touting their
product or service. On the final day of camp, the teams will present
their plans and commercials to a panel of judges that includes representatives
from local Chambers of Commerce and the small business community.
An award will be presented for the best team plan and presentation,
and the campers themselves will select an Outstanding Youth Entrepreneur.
Each young entrepreneur will receive special gifts and prizes provided by the
camp's sponsors.
Participating students will not only leave the camp with a plan
designed to create their own small business, but they will also gain confidence
to pursue their educational and entrepreneurial dreams. Developing
entrepreneurs at a young age can help retain the best and brightest minds for
building local economies. As one researcher has commented,
"Entrepreneurship, when taught properly, is actually a tool that prepares kids
for the 'real world'."
Other sponsors of the Entrepreneur Camp to date include the KSU
School of Business, KSU Land Grant Program, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE),
the Marcus Foundation, Canoe Kentucky, and the Louisville Branch of the Federal
Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
For more information about the camp or to inquire about
becoming a sponsor, please contact Gae Broadwater, KSU Land Grant Program,
502-597-6325, gae.broadwater@kysu.edu
or Dr. Philip E. Brown, KSU School of Business, 502-597-6921,
philip.brown@ksyu.edu.
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