The City of Westerville, along with Westerville City Schools, Otterbein University, Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, Your Management Team, and TECHCOLUMBUS, is launching the first Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP) in Westerville. YEP is a two week long camp, inspired by the television show Shark Tank and is designed to teach middle-school aged children the fundamentals of what it takes to start a business.
This summer, campers will learn new business concepts such as marketing, sales, networking, budgeting and leadership. Successful entrepreneurs from the Columbus area will come each day to share specific lessons in their area of expertise. Campers will also have the opportunity to travel to different businesses in the area, learning first-hand business concepts throughout the two weeks.
Janet Davis from Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce commented on the program by stating, “The YEP program is designed to encourage those students that have an interest in exploring, innovating, and creating. The curriculum for the two weeks will foster the entrepreneurial mindset in young people and our community. Students will be challenged to think big, encourage creative thinking, and build confidence”.
The campers will start off with an idea, working with their peers, along with the guidance from the business professionals to create an overall business plan. Campers will be given opportunities to practice presenting their innovative ideas in front of an audience to prepare them for their final presentation.
YEP is schedule this summer from Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 26. The maximum sign up for Westerville YEP is 24 campers, and is designed for children ages 11 to 14. The camp will begin every day at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m., with extended care available for an additional fee. The entry price is $300 for residents and $315 for non-residents. Registration is available either online or at the Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave. Limited scholarships are available through the Westerville Chamber Foundation, the charitable arm of the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce. For scholarship information, please contact the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce at ino@westervillechamber.com. Please include your name, address, and why you are interested in attending this program. For more information about the program, visit www.westerville.org or call Westerville Parks and Recreation Youth/Teen Program Supervisor, Darcy Baxter, at (614) 901-6543.