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. 
 
What is Camp Enterprise?
50-60 selected high school students in the Waterloo-Wellington region have 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 is 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 involves the Rotaract Clubs in this region.
 
Who can attend?
High school students in grade 11 and 12 from the Golden Triangle region. 
 
Where is it held?
In the Ron Eydt Centre at the University of Waterloo.  Students sleep over for two nights in student residences (a great taste of university life!) and are chaperoned by Rotarians.
 
When is it held?
Usually in the first week of May, immediately after regular university students have left campus following their year-end exams. 
 
How long is Camp Enterprise?
Until 2018, it was a 3-day program. Since 2019, it is a 2.5-day program so that high schoolers only miss two full days of school. (For 2022, Camp Enterprise might become a weekend program so students miss no school time - this is under review.)
  • On day one, they arrive in time for dinner and a Rotary/Rotaract meeting.
  • On day two, they work in teams on a business idea presented that night to a sort-of Dragon's Den panel.
  • On day three, they participate in a fast-based and fun business game, before wrapping up and returning home.
In between, the students are addressed by keynote speakers, with whom the students can chat about real-life experience on building a career and/or starting a business.
 
What is the cost?
There is no cost to the participating students who are sponsored by the Rotary Clubs at about $350 per student, according to their club budgets. All presenters and Rotarians volunteer their time and skills.
 
What topics are covered at Camp Enterprise?
While the line-up changes a bit each year, the topics generally include:
  • 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 aim to have less listening time and more doing time at Camp Enterprise, to actively engage students.
 
How are the Rotary Clubs involved?
Serving on the Camp Enterprise committee is a great opportunity for Rotarians from different clubs to get to know each other, and perhaps forge other useful connections. Rotary Clubs that sponsor Camp Enterprise should 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 
 
Organizing schedule
It has been agreed that the following clubs will take the lead role in chairing the Camp Enterprise Committee.
  •   For Spring 2020 and 2021 (cancelled due to COVID):  Cambridge
  •   For Spring 2022 (cancelled due to COVID): Kitchener-Waterloo Clubs 
  •   For Spring 2023:  Kitchener-Waterloo Clubs
  •   For Spring 2024 and 2025:  Guelph Clubs
 
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