Leaders and entrepreneurs are invited to assist us in the development of new programs along with the second Dublin Entrepreneurial Camp. Your expertise and experience is valuable to us so that we can continue to create award-winning experiences for Dublin youth. Please join leaders from the City of Dublin, Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (DEC) and other local businesses, for a networking event at The Brazenhead Irish Pub (Dublin location) on March 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

We would love for you to come prepared to offer guidance, suggestions or help with creating any of the following:

• The second annual Dublin Entrepreneurial Camp for 6th through 8th graders
• The first Dublin Entrepreneurial Camp for high school students
• An internship program for high school students and participate in utilizing student help
• An entrepreneurial scholarship to encourage youth to follow the educational and work path of entrepreneurs

Agenda for the meeting:

5:30 – 6:00 arrival and social (appetizers provided)

6:00 – 6:30 Program developers and participants will speak about/represent the camp:

• DEC  Consultants – Chaz Freutel, Rick Coplin, Sandy Blanquera
• Matt Earman, Director of Dublin Recreation Center
• Camp Program Developers – Scott Hanks and Bryan Arnold
• A student from the camp

6:30 – 8:30 Networking, small group conversation

Background on the Dublin Entrepreneurial Camp: The camp was created by the Dublin Recreation Center (DRC) in conjunction with the Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (DEC) to provide real-life business experiences and development for young entrepreneurs.  Last year the DEC hosted the first-ever entrepreneurial camp for local 6-8th graders, which included challenges similar to those on Donald Trump’s TV Show, The Apprentice.  These challenges took students to visit local businesses learning first-hand various business operations like marketing, sales, and customer service.  During a Tim Horton’s challenge students had to determine product purchases through forecasting, and then market and sell their baked wares based on a price they set.  The challenge winner had the highest profit, not just highest sales.

While participating in challenges, students also worked in teams forming their own business idea, which was developed throughout the three-week camp.  Just like any business, students had to form a business plan that included financial strategy, marketing, and operations.  Students presented the plans during a mock ‘Shark Tank’ event for a panel of judges, along with the public. Students also branded their business complete with business cards and a networking challenge, which played out at a co-working lunch event at the DEC.  To incorporate a full sense of the public perspective of running a business, students participated in a three-week online marketing and networking challenge using Facebook and Twitter.  The camp ended on a high note when local business leaders, government, students and program developers came together to celebrate the students’ success during a community open house.

Innovative itself, the youth entrepreneur camp has received recognition and awards for its investment in the future of entrepreneurship and economic development:

• 1st place for state-wide Ohio education programs
• Semi-Finalist in the TechColumbus Innovation awards
• Invitation to speak at the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education
• Voted ‘one of the best’ by Columbus Monthly Magazine’s readers

Leaders in the business community are invited to participate in development of the programs for 2011.  Interested parties may contact Scott Hanks.