Youth entrepreneurial summer camp launched

KINGSTON — Camp Millionaire, Jamaica’s first entrepreneurship summer camp for teens will be held from July 4 to 22 at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus.

The camp, which was launched at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation’s (JBDC) Incubator and Resource Centre, Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston on Wednesday, June 15, will provide an innovative and life-changing experience for youths, who will undergo skills training and learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.

It is the brainchild of young Jamaican business owners Leighton Davis and Yaneek Page, with the support of the JBDC and the HEART Trust/NTA.

State for Industry Investment and Commerce, Hon. Michael Stern, who addressed the launch, said the summer camp is in keeping with the Government’s efforts to develop a culture of entrepreneurship among the youth.

“Our mission is to harness the energy of our young people and to channel their imagination in a positive way so that we will become the innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow,” Mr. Stern said.

Miss Page stated that the programme would help to address the need for increased employment opportunities, as identified by young people in the recent national youth survey, undertaken by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

“What is clear is that the only real way to address this issue of unemployment is to create opportunities through entrepreneurship. It’s not going to come from foreign direct investment, that is not where we are going to see the explosion in jobs,” she argued.

The aspiring  entrepreneurs will be encouraged to focus on production in tourism, agro processing, information and communication technology and the creative industries. Miss Page informed that participants will undergo detailed psychometric testing to determine the industry best suited for their personality.

“There is no point in training persons in areas they have no interest in and that they are not compatible with. We will be ensuring that they learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship using a tried and proven entrepreneurship methodology courtesy of the JBDC,” she said.

Camp Millionaire will culminate in an “out of the box” award ceremony that will celebrate the most innovative business ideas and the most viable business plans generated by the young participants.

The three-week camp, which has been endorsed by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, costs $18, 500 per person.  Interested persons may call 588-4902 or email campmillionaireja@gmail.com for more information.

By LATONYA LINTON, JIS Reporter