Young entrepreneurs encouraged to sign up for camp in Cypress Hills

Residents ages 13 to 15 have the opportunity to attend the Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp (AYEC) at the Eagles Nest Ranch in Cypress Hills, Aug. 19 to 25.

The camp, put on by Community Futures, has space for 60 attendees from central and southern Alberta interested in learning the components of a business plan such as marketing, advertising, cash flow and record keeping.

“If they want a fun summer experience and skills to use when they go back to school or to put on a resume, these things are very beneficial,” said Carolyn McIntyre of Wild Rose Community Futures.

Campers will be divided into business teams where they will come up with a business idea, meet with suppliers and bankers and build a product or service with the help of camp alumni ages 16 to 18. Participants will also hear from guest speakers and take part in workshops to learn the necessary skills to start and run a business.

On the final day of the camp, these new businesses will be in operation and team members will split any profits amongst themselves.

But the camp, now heading into its 16th year, isn’t all business. Campers will also take part in a variety of summer camp experiences and recreational activities including zipline, horseback riding, wall climbing, mountain biking and swimming.

Youth will compete in an essay competition, which will allow them to attend the camp for free. The deadline for the essay is June 1.

“You don’t have to have any kind of experience,” said McIntyre. “If they have a desire to learn a new skill and if they want to come have fun (this is a good opportunity).”

For more information or to download an application, visit www.ayec.ca or the Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp’s Facebook site.