Entrepreneurial Thinking in Action Summer Camp

Conventional wisdom tells us that only a select few are born with the skills to think entrepreneurially; and that only those people create truly great ideas that change the world. But what if we could teach those abilities to all students?​ 

Traits that entrepreneurs have in common include being resilient in uncertain environments, learning from failure, being empathetic to other people’s needs, being creative and making do with limited resources, and being able to concisely and convincingly explain their ideas. Those traits are all teachable, in the same way that science is taught to all students.​ 

We need to prepare the next generation of leaders to succeed in a rapidly changing world. We welcome all dreamers, bridge builders, storytellers, experimenters, and problem solvers to discover their inner innovator at our summer camp!​ 

Program​​

The Bot Basics and Beyond: Innovate and Apply Solutions to Problems camp draws on leading edge practices in curriculum development​ to deliver a transformational learning experience for students in grades 7 to 10. Over the five days, students will: 

1. Begin with a three-day hands-on robotic workshop where they will code and design a robotic solution introducing SMART Farming concept with an award-winning Science teacher and discover their ability to become entrepreneurial leaders and change-makers. 

2. Students will then be exposed to two days of an entrepreneurial thinking workshop with a Hunter Centre instructor where they are introduced to concepts of design thinking, UN sustainable development goal #2 - Zero Hunger, agri-tech technology and automation, and then pitch their solution to a panel of innovators on Friday afternoon.   

Our experiential camp will teach our future leaders how to identify opportunities for innovation, understand customer value, develop a new venture or social enterprise business concept and pitch ideas to a panel of entrepreneurial leaders from our business community. 

Participants can expect to...​

• Learn how to identify new opportunities and research problem solving solutions with the support of entrepreneurial experts​ 

• Practice teamwork, collaboration and empathy as they work through complex challenges​ 

• Develop traits such as curiosity, creativity, agility, adaptation, accountability, resiliency, and leadership​ 

• Network with business community members and student leaders from Red Deer and Calgary​ 

• Explore emerging trends and opportunities related to their future careers​ 

• Discover their ability to become entrepreneurial leaders and changemakers who make a positive impact on the world​ 

• Explore the broad application of entrepreneurial skills beyond starting a business​ 

• Receive a lifelong memory that will change the course of their future 

• Unique interactive activities: Our team has designed a number of exciting experiences for our camp participants to learn and collaborate. Whether it’s rapidly brainstorming new business ideas in an hour, solving real work problems with entrepreneurs, or judging a real pitch contest, students will never face a dull moment! 

• Inspiring curriculum and instructors: The camp is designed by two serial entrepreneurs who are leading the entrepreneurial thinking movement on campus and across Calgary. Entrepreneurship instructors from the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will be supported by a team of talented student entrepreneurs from the University of Calgary. 

• Working with experienced entrepreneurs: In both camps students will work with entrepreneurs on a wide variety of real business problems, getting feedback from both entrepreneurs and camp instructors. 

Questions and inquiries can be sent to entrepreneurship@haskayne.ucalgary.ca 

We are very grateful to partnering organizations who work with us to make these camps a success.

While the course has moved online, the spirit of the camp is the same. Read on to see what past participants thought about the camp: