Registration is now open for the ImpactPreneurs Shark Tank Summer Camp (J. BUSHI/University of Windsor)
By Kate Hargreaves
For kids with entrepreneurial aspirations outside of the lemonade stands of yore, a new summer camp at the University of Windsor offers a unique opportunity for learning and fun.
Modelled on the popular Shark Tank television show, in which entrepreneurs pitch business ideas to a panel of investors, the ImpactPreneurs Shark Tank Summer Camp invites kids six to 13 years old to learn about business and teamwork while having fun.
Created and run by Dr. Juliet Bushi in the Faculty of Education, the camp was inspired by Bushi’s search for alternative summer camp options for her own children.
Looking for something outside of a sports-only camp, Bushi designed ImpactPreneurs through her non-profit when she was living and working in Regina, Sask.
“I wanted something that would blend fun, learning and creativity with soft skills, socio-emotional skills, like confidence, public speaking and presentations,” Bushi says.
“I didn’t want the summer camp to be sort of like an extended daycare. I wanted it to be very meaningful. There’s a lot that kids can learn.”
With feedback from past camp participants, Bushi continued iterating and brought ImpactPreneurs with her when she relocated to Windsor as a faculty member in Education.
She says she hoped to create a fun and engaging multidisciplinary experience that also helped avoid a summer lag in learning before school re-starts in September.
“We don’t give children enough opportunity to be creative, independent and actually think for themselves, to find a problem and then solve it,” Bushi says.
At ImpactPreneurs, campers will identify a common problem, develop solutions and pitch to parents, mentors from the Odette School of Business and Faculty of Education and local business owners.
They’ll also have a chance to sell their wares at a market day to cap off the week.
"They learn about business, they learn about money, there’s math, there’s arts, public speaking, it’s fantastic,” Bushi says.
“As a parent and an educator, these are skills that we need, even as adults. We need to be confident in this changing society. At these early ages, these skills are so important, knowing how to face challenges, to persevere, to communicate, to think about an idea and actually work toward it.”
In addition to the Shark Tank component, the campers will give back to the community by helping prepare food for unhoused community members as well as participating in fun games and sports.
“As adults, we’re always doing things for kids,” Bushi says. “But the kids can learn to prepare their own sandwiches for school while giving back. It’s a reciprocal program where we are thinking about our society and also equipping our kids.”
Bushi also stresses that campers tend to end the week with new friends in addition to their new skills and confidence.
Camps run every weekday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with four week-long offerings available throughout July and August.
To register, visit the Lancer Recreation website.
For families facing financial barriers, a limited number of sponsorships are available to cover the cost of the camp. Please contact Juliet Bushi at juliet.bushi@uwindsor.ca to apply.