Twelve youth are participating in the Community Futures Triple R Biz Camp this week.
The day camp sponsored by the Town of Morris and Access Credit Union focuses on business and entrepreneurial skills for youth aged nine to 13.
“Youth learn about what entrepreneurs do and the basics of running a business,” explains Shelley Johnston, general manager at Community Futures Triple R.
“Everything from business idea to product sale is covered, along with ‘how-tos’ and ‘dos and don’ts.’”
A welcome from the program coordinators Troy Geiler and Chloe Edel, encouraged youth to “believe in yourself and your abilities.”
Although still in high school, Geiler hopes to one day study business and is ‘excited [to teach the youth] about how to run a business.” Edel enjoys how the participants are “open to learning about different business ideas.”
Along with the week’s curriculum centering around financials, marketing, and product development, youth have the opportunity to tour two local businesses, including Morris Home Hardware and Bloomin’ Scents, swim at the pool, and participate in a town-wide scavenger hunt.
The aim of the camp is for the kids to think up and create a product, advertise, and sell it at a market on Friday, July 12.
“The camp gets the youth out into the community,” said Johnston. General consensus from the group is that “they are excited about making their products, having fun with friends for the week, and making money at the sale.”
This Friday’s market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bigway parking lot, with a free Bigway-sponsored hot dog lunch available for the community from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
