Scholarship money will be up for grabs to budding high school entrepreneurs who attend the IDEA Bank’s High School Entrepreneurship Summer Camp.
Sponsored by the Wiregrass RC&D Council and open to students in grades 9-12, the summer camp is a week-long program designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs the tools it takes to successfully launch an idea and turn it into a profitable business. The week leads up to a pitch competition where students will use what they’ve learned and pitch their product or service. A panel of judges will award a grand prize $2,000 scholarship to Troy University to the winner.
“Last year’s inaugural high school summer camp was truly rewarding, and I am thankful that Wiregrass RC&D chose to renew our partnership so that we can continue to grow the program.,” said Lynne George, the IDEA Bank’s director.
Last year, six students ages 14 – 17 years old participated in the inaugural program.
“I saw an incredible transformation in their confidence after just seven days and realized this program can make a significant impact on young people’s lives in a way that positively benefits our communities,” George said.
The camp will provide students technical training, hands-on activities, and real-life leadership opportunities related to entrepreneurship while fostering creativity, innovation, confidence, and idea development. Each day, students will be challenged to lean into their interests and develop their ideas.
The camp will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily from July 17 – July 21, with the pitch presentation and awards reception on July 24. Included are sessions on:
- Entrepreneurial Mindset and Idea Development
- Business Planning & Financing;
- Marketing & Brand Development;
- Communication Strategies & Channels; and
- The Business of People + Pitch Practice.
Housing will be provided for accepted participants from Sunday, July 16 through Monday, July 24 and is included as part of the $150 registration fee. A limited number of scholarships will be available for need-based applications that will reduce the cost of attendance to $25. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided Monday-Friday.
“I am looking forward to supporting more young students and expanding our capacity to foster youth entrepreneurship at the IDEA Bank,” George added.
Register online at troy.edu. For more information, email the IDEA Bank at ideabank@troy.edu. The IDEA Bank is located on Troy’s historic downtown Square.
