Youth business camp set for July 12-16 on MU campus

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The eighth annual Build-a-Business Camp for young entrepreneurs will take place July 12-16 on the University of Missouri campus.

The MU Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development hosts the event for youth ages 12-18. The camp is part of MU Extension’s Summers@Mizzou program, which brings students to campus for science- and career-related camps.

Build-a-Business participants come from as far away as California, Texas and the country of Jordan to learn from other young entrepreneurs.

Kaitlyn Roberts, 14-year-old founder of Saving Soldiers, a paracord bracelet business benefitting homeless veterans, will tell how she took knowledge from last year’s camp to launch her venture and to raise $1,000 for Welcome Home Inc., which provides services to reduce homelessness among veterans.

Simeon and Lilian Buie of Marshall, who were national finalists in the 2015 Warren Buffet Secret Millionaires Club contest, will pitch how they developed their business concept for “Eggpreneur” kits.

Campers will team up with local organizations on a Customer Service Challenge, sponsored by Wood & Huston Bank. Youth will use promotional strategies from Show-Me State Games, Add Sheet and Vienna Beef LLC, which they will apply to their own business ideas.

Youth also will work with the marketing firm Influence & Co. and local entrepreneurs on a Creative Marketing Challenge, brainstorming “Generation Z” solutions to marketing dilemmas facing startups.

MU faculty members, business advisers, and area professionals will join youth for a Biz Pro/Biz Adviser Challenge to help campers develop a plan for starting a microbusiness.

Camp sponsors include Commerce Bank; MU Trulaske College of Business; Wood & Huston Bank; CLIMB Mizzou; Citizens Bank of Eldon and Versailles; First State Community Bank; Missouri 4-H Foundation; MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; and Orange Leaf Yogurt.

The program ends July 16 when campers participate in a Biz Idea Pitch Challenge, sponsored by MU Trulaske College of Business and CLIMB Mizzou, with support from MU Extension’s Small Business and Technology Development Centers.

For more information, go to 4h.missouri.edu/programs/summers/buildabiz or contact Steve Henness, 4-H Center for Youth Development, at [email protected] or 573-884-6618.