Tales from Towne: Kids Learn Business Basics at Summer Camp

Leila’s prototype for her business Leila’s Essential Care impressed the judges of last week’s Be Your Own Boss summer camp

For kids who want to work for themselves some day, Young Americans Center for Financial Education’s Be Your Own Boss Summer Camp teaches the basics of business ownership in just a week!  Last week’s camp was filled with information and fun, and it included 5th and 6th grade participants from throughout the Denver metro area.

The week’s goal is for campers to create a business plan.  During the week, campers learn about problem-solving, marketing, customers and advertising, financing, and ethics.  Campers can work by themselves or in teams.  They also create a business pitch they deliver to their peers and during the Friday small business expo for family and friends.

Four business finalists compete in a final “Shark-tank”-style pitch competition for a panel of judges.  This year’s finalists included:

• Leila’s Essential Care – All-natural products to solve stress, created by Leila
• That Pet Box – Pet supplies for a happier pet (not just dogs!), created by Laura
• Travel Lizard – luggage with GPS that follows you though the airport, created by Amari
• Tropical Boom – Organic, freshly-squeezed juices and smoothies, created by Connor, Carson, and Owen

The competition was fierce, but Leila’s Essential Care took home top honors–a booth at the YouthBiz Marketplace in December.  Leila’s packaging, marketing, and prototype really set her apart, and the judges were impressed with the development of her business plan with just a week’s worth of preparation.

Congratulations to Leila and to all of these aspiring business owners!