ENTREPRENEURIAL SUMMER CAMPS: A GREAT WAY TO SPEND SUMMER 2023
Summer camps and workshops that combine entrepreneurial learning with loads of fun.
Summer is right around the corner! If you haven’t started your camp planning, or even if you have, our annual roundup of entrepreneurship summer camps is here to help. These camps take place across the country in both virtual and in-person settings so there is something for everyone. Your kids will not only learn how to start a business , but some camps also included mentoring from local entrepreneurs and some even have cash prizes for best business pitch! Most importantly, whether or not they grow up to entrepreneurs, campers will begin to develop an entrepreneurial mindset including getting comfortable with risk, not being afraid to fail, and learning to see opportunities instead of problems. Read on to find the best camp for your kidpreneurs…
Girls (6 to 12 years old) who join the Bizzy Girls Entrepreneur Program learn how to create their own product line and open an e-commerce shop. The 2023 summer program curriculum, based on Social Emotional Learning (SEL), gives girls fun experiences while building self-confidence, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Available locations are California (Beverly Hills, Culver City, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, and West Lake Village) and New York (Harrison, Rye, and Yorktown) and registration for their respective summer camps started on March 18. Head over here for the exact dates, tuition fees, and sign-up link of your girls’ preferred summer camp location.
This year’s 10-day Camp BizSmart for 11 to 15-year-old kids and teens starts on July 24 and ends on August 4. Participants will work in teams made up of 6-7 kids and teens for the duration of the 10-day program while being mentored by Silicon Valley industry experts. On day one, each budding entrepreneur negotiates for an executive management Team Role. On day 10, teams have to present and defend their solutions before a panel of venture capital and angel investors. The 2023 summer program fee is $2,495.
Camp WIT (Whatever it Takes)
In the past, Camp WIT’s week-long entrepreneur boot camps for t(w)een entrepreneurs from 7th-12th grades have included meetings with and coaching from industry experts as well as a pitch competition for cash prizes. For info on its Summer 2023 program, email info@doingwit.org.
Last year, Female Strong organized IDEA camps for girls ages 8-12 based in Chicago and other parts of the US, both in virtual and face-to-face formats. For this summer, their camp will emphasize self-exploration, nurturing curiosity and self-assurance, as well as interactive hands-on experiences and engaging group and one-on-one conversations with their special speakers. But just like last year, Female Strong promises another educational, action-packed program exciting activities, crafts, and insightful guest speakers. There’s a waitlist for the 2023 summer program so now’s the time to sign up.
Inc. Magazine Young Entrepreneurs
Middle and high school students can join one of Summer Discovery’s summer enrichment programs at Georgetown University or UCLA sponsored by Inc. Magazine. T(w)eens 12 to 14 can explore all aspects of a real-life entrepreneurial venture, including creation, development and sales pitch of the next best product. They’ll also develop the skills necessary to find success as an entrepreneur. UCLA’s “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” runs for 3 weeks from June 25 to July 14, with residential ($8,499) and commuter ($3,499) pricing options. Your girls can apply here. Georgetown University’s “Become an Entrepreneur: Business Start Up” runs for 2 weeks, with various start and end dates, from July 2 to July 27. Tuition fee ranges from $10,199 to $3,699 depending on the dates and residential or commuter options. For more information, you and your girls can review the application form here.
All online sessions on the basics of entrepreneurship and business development by Kid Entrepreneurship take place year-round. So, your girl can simply choose a course that fits her summer schedule. Plus, it’s free! And depending on your girl’s age, she can attend the virtual program for either 5 or 16 days. Kids from 5 to 14 years old can register.
Launch Business Camps have been open to student entrepreneurs ages 8-17 nationwide. The action-packed five day camps cover idea creation, pitch, budget, branding, and sales and marketing. For information about 2023 programming, visit www.launchbusinesscamp.com.
Kid and teen entrepreneurs (7 to 17 years old) worldwide are welcome to join Moolah U’s online summer camp from June 19 to August 11, 2023. In just one week, your girl will be guided through the process of building her own business that makes real money and make her first sale before Friday! Program tuition is $375. You can reserve a spot for your girl here.
NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship)’s BizCamp provides the skills, resources and fun to help kids in grades 7-12 launch their big ideas into businesses. Empowered by their entrepreneurial mindset of initiative, self-reliance, adaptability, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration and applying practical skills by building their Lean Business Canvas, campers will complete BizCamp prepared to pitch their business. Twenty scripted lessons, all materials provided digitally for flexibility to meet your schedule and supported with training. Click for flyer or contact NFTE for details.
Project Echo has many after-school and summer-only entrepreneurship programs to choose from. Each offers activity-based lessons that teach middle and high school students to develop and market a business idea in a competitive setting. Its campus-based Summer Program, Start-Up! Summer is a plug-and-play entrepreneurship program for schools interested in partnering with Project Echo. This project-based summer program focuses on core academics, creativity, and personal interactions. It then culminates in a classroom-based showcase event, where student teams pitch their start up ideas to panels of judges via Zoom. If you’re interested in passing along the details to your girls’ school, you can grab the information here.
SheEO Academy’s 2023 summer camp line-up will include “Girl Boss: Build Her Jewelry Business” (7-14 years old), “Little Girl Boss: Build Her Slime Business” (5-6 years old), and “Girl Boss: Build Her Soap Business” (7-14 years old). All camps will teach girls how to make, market, merchandise, manage, then monetize their chosen product (jewelry, slime, or soap). They’ll also learn how to apply the STEAM approach so they can turn their entrepreneurial dream into reality. All in-person camps take place in Virginia. For fees and registration, head over here.
Spark’s 2023 programs include Budding Entrepreneurs, Bulls & Bears, Jr. CEOs, Money Matters, Sports Management, and many more. SPARK partners with top schools across the country for their face-to-face summer camps. Age groups (K-1, Grades 2-4, and Grades 5-8) and prices vary by location. The full 2023 summer schedule can be found here.
Unreasonable Kids College Club
Unreasonable Kids College Club has run both in-person and online camps in the past for kids ages 6-9 and 13-17. Look here for updates on their 2023 options.
Although not technically a summer camp, the SCALE Program by Young Founders is an advanced quarterly initiative that kickstarts every month. It’s tailored to young entrepreneurs who already have some experience in establishing companies or have earned a minimum of $500 in revenue. This quarterly SCALE program is committed to empower these teen tycoons, providing them with continuous momentum through personalized teaching, coaching, and guidance. If you think your girl bosses could benefit from this specialized entrepreneurial program, then they can apply here.
Every camp may change their programs and schedules so always refer to their websites and social media channels for the latest updates. Did we miss your favorite entrepreneurial summer camp? Add it in the comments so we can include it in future updates!
