“Makin’ Money” Entrepreneurship Camp held June 1st
“Makin’ Money” Entrepreneurship Camp held June 1st at Laurel’s Learning Center was fun and educational. Fifteen 5th – 7th grade youth from seven towns in Northeast Nebraska took part. It was a day of learning and creating a product that customers would want to buy.
The youth learned what entrepreneurs are like - that they ‘think outside the box’, develop products or services that meet a need, and that they like being their own boss.
Characteristics that are needed in the workplace were discussed such as honesty, responsibility, respect, and trustworthiness. As the day progressed they were taught advertising and marketing methods, created business plans and developed a business name for the product they would make that day, and decided how to price their product. Each participant then had to present their business plan to the banker to get a loan for their business, go to the teller to get the cash and then purchase a license to operate their business – very much like what happens in real life.
Participants left that day knowing at least part of what it takes to start their own business. They identified business ventures they might like to do and were encouraged to try them at home. Many resources are available to help them, including their parents, if they choose to go ahead.
Sponsoring groups for the Rural Youth Connection Entrepreneurial Camp were University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension in Dixon and Cedar Counties, the Northeast Nebraska Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council, Center for Rural Affairs, and Laurel Economic Development. The Rural Youth Connection project originally was the dream of Rita Brhel, Coleridge, who was an entrepreneur herself in high school and college. She saw the need to help kids at a young age learn about how they can have their own businesses and be successful.
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