TAMPA–The virtual summer camp “Emerging Entrepreneurs’ Camp,” sponsored by Summerfuel and the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), is an online immersion program offering high school students a platform to develop entrepreneurial skills, preparing them to become future global leaders.
Emerging Entrepreneurs Camp will have two sessions of two weeks each, starting on June 22 and July 6, respectively. The proprietary curriculum is designed by NFTE, which will also provide the certified entrepreneurship teaching staff experienced in working with high school students. Through the virtual program powered by Summerfuel, campers will learn everything from opportunity recognition and ideation to marketing and finance while interacting with expert teachers, successful entrepreneurs and college students as they package and pitch their big business ideas.
“When we realized that the COVID-19 pandemic would impact the summer camp season, we knew we had to create an immersive experience for students using an online platform,” said David Evans, president, Summerfuel. “Together with CEO and NFTE, we now offer a one-of-a-kind program we believe will engage high school students in an inspiring and enduring way.”
CEO will work with its more than 250 chapters nationwide to recruit chapter leaders to serve as mentors and coaches for each high school camper team. This partnership is key as the camper-to-counselor relationship is among the most important pieces of any summer camp. The closer the campers are in age to their counselor, the more they look to emulate their role models.
Leaders in the CEO network primarily participate in entrepreneurial coursework on their respective college campuses, with many of these students running successful campus or personal businesses of their own. CEO believes teaching a topic, such as new venture creation, is the most direct avenue to understanding how to launch a business. Under the direction of NFTE staff members, CEO’s volunteer coaches will provide actionable feedback to the high school students as they build and develop business models for their next “big idea.”
“We have taken the essential business tenets and activities we think are really important and put it into this two-week program,” said Scott Nasatir, an executive director at NFTE. “This can go from a summer experience to something that is life changing that will translate into whatever they want to do in their lives. Along with CEO and Summerfuel, we are really empowering youth with skills to be successful.” The learning elements of this Emerging Entrepreneurs Camp will impact both the high school campers and college mentors. By encouraging its collegiate chapter leaders to serve as coaches, CEO is igniting a spark towards continuing education beyond high school. As the campers are introduced to CEO, it is likely these young students will seek future entrepreneurial opportunities once they enroll in their university/college of choice. This early exposure helps lay the framework for an opportunity- recognition mindset before the overwhelming elements of freshman year set in.
More details on the summer can be found athttps://online.summerfuel.com/pages/emerging-entrepreneurs.
About CEO
Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, a 501(c)(3) not for profit charitable corporation founded in 1983, supports more than 16,500 emerging collegiate entrepreneurs annually. CEO believes that any student, regardless of academic discipline can launch a business. Through our global network of more than 250 college and university chapters, we support and inspire the growth and development of any student that seeks to be entrepreneurial. www.c-e-o.org
About Summerfuel
Since 1984, Summerfuel has offered a range of pre-college summer enrichment programs for high school students that are designed to give them the essentials skills needed to broaden their academic and personal horizons. The programs emphasize cultural engagement, travel, exploration, recreation, language study, academic enrichment, social engagement, responsibility, independence, and personal growth – preparing students for a successful high school to college transition. For more information visit www.summerfuel.com.
About NFTE
NFTE is the leading educational nonprofit focused on teaching startup skills and activating the entrepreneurial mindset in young people from under-resourced communities. Research shows the entrepreneurial mindset—skills including problem-solving, adaptability, initiative, and self-reliance—leads to lifelong success. Equipped with the business and academic skills NFTE teaches and empowered by the entrepreneurial mindset, NFTE alumni are prepared to thrive. NFTE works with schools and community partners across the country through its nationwide network of program offices. Alliances with global youth development organizations bring NFTE programs to additional students internationally. NFTE reaches more than 100,000 young people annually and has served well over a million students since its founding. Learn more at www.nfte.com.