SBDC Youth Entrepreneur Camp instructor Frank Kennedy and a student practice bartering skills during a business-transaction simulation. Photo by BARRY ROBERTS
Growing Wisconsin's entrepreneurs
An entrepreneurial camp sponsored by the UW-Extension Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on the UW-Madison campus gives youth entering eighth and ninth grades a hands-on opportunity to learn how to start a business and make and invest money wisely.
Now in its fifth year, the one-week, 40-hour day camp helps foster the entrepreneurial spirit by building skills in leadership, management, verbal communication, team building and business etiquette. Students also learn how to successfully negotiate for business materials and recognize business opportunities.
The 2005 camp will run June 13 to 17. —Nancy Fawcett
For more information: www.uwsbdc.org/specialYEC.htm, (608) 263-7680. To register: (608) 262-8082
Future Business Professionals
Twenty-three youth enrolled in the June 2004 Youth Entrepreneur Camp. Comparisons of a pre- and post-camp test showed that:
- 87% improved their knowledge levels of business by an average of 4 points.
- 91% showed, on average, a 6-point increase in a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship.