The Rotary Club enjoyed a talk by Sean Blewett, who is the General Manager of Community Futures - Entre Corp, and has a senior organizational role in the Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp, which has operated at Eagles Nest Ranch for over 20 years. Sean spoke about the recent partnership of AYEC and Rotary District 5360, which will add this camp as one of the sponsored youth programs in this District and change the name slightly to Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp.
Sean introduced Ethraim Blair, who was a youth camper in 2017 and he spoke about the activities and valuable outcomes of attending the camp.
The program begins every year with training for the Youth Leaders, who are previous campers and they will begin a week of training on August 8th at the Medicine Hat College. Then approximately 60 campers, from all over Alberta arrive for the camp from August 12 - 18. August 18th is an important day, it's called "business day" and its when the teams of young entrepreneurs are able to sell their products. The public is welcome on the 18th, please bring "cash" and the sales go from 11 am - 1 pm. Sean described it as the only summer camp where you can leave with money....Ethraim's team made over $100 in profits on their mugs and coasters last year.
The camp has a big impact on the post secondary performance of these students, those who take leadership roles in their communities or come back from camp and start a business.