Camp Enterprise
Children & Youth Committee at Rotary Club of Guelph
CAMP ENTERPRISE
For many years, the Rotary Club of Guelph joined other Rotary Clubs in our area to plan and host this opportunity for high school students. Sadly, this program became a casualty of the Covid shutdowns in the 2020s, and has not run again since then. What was Camp Enterprise?
50-60 selected high school students in the Waterloo-Wellington region had the opportunity to attend the annual "Rotary Camp Enterprise" at the University of Waterloo, at no cost to the students themselves, for an immersive experience in business and entrepreneurship.
Camp Enterprise Golden Triangle was supported each year by over 10 Rotary Clubs in the Waterloo-Wellington ‘Golden Triangle’ region that encompasses Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Fergus and Elora. It also involved the Rotaract Clubs in this region.
Who could attend?
High school students in grade 11 and 12 from the Golden Triangle region.
Where was it held?
In the Ron Eydt Centre at the University of Waterloo. Students slept over for two nights in student residences (a great taste of university life!) and were chaperoned by Rotarians.
When was it held?
Usually in the first week of May, immediately after regular university students had left campus following their year-end exams.
How long was Camp Enterprise?
Until 2018, it was a 3-day program. Since 2019, it became a 2.5-day program so that high schoolers only missed two full days of school.
- On day one, they arrived in time for dinner and a Rotary/Rotaract meeting.
- On day two, they worked in teams on a business idea presented that night to a sort-of Dragon's Den panel.
- On day three, they participated in a fast-paced and fun business game, before wrapping up and returning home.
In between, the students were addressed by keynote speakers, with whom the students could chat about real-life experience on building a career and/or starting a business.
What was the cost?
There was no cost to the participating students who were sponsored by the Rotary Clubs at about $350 per student, according to their club budgets. All presenters and Rotarians volunteered their time and skills.
What topics were covered at Camp Enterprise?
While the line-up changed a bit each year, the topics generally included:
- The fundamentals of the free enterprise system.
- Starting a business.
- Planning and team-building in business and life.
- Communications and financing.
- Marketing and branding.
- Business ethics.
- Labour and management relations and negotiations.
The organizers aimed to have less listening time and more doing time at Camp Enterprise, to actively engage students.
How were the Rotary Clubs involved?
Serving on the Camp Enterprise committee was a great opportunity for Rotarians from different clubs to get to know each other, and perhaps forge other useful connections. Rotary Clubs that sponsored Camp Enterprise could expect to:
- Help the committee plan for Camp Enterprise
- Help recruit participants at high schools allocated to their club
- Help transport youth to and from camp
- Attend the Camp Enterprise dinner on the first evening of camp
- Invite participants back to a Rotary Club meeting to discuss their Camp Enterprise experience
- Publicize Camp Enterprise on their club website and social media
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