Camp Enterprise

An Introduction to the World of Business

Spurring the imagination of area high school seniors on the whole subject of business and private enterprise, this camp is designed to challenge them and arouse their interest. It also provides students with a broad view of professional, business and management careers.

The program was originally launched in 1985 at the Roblin Lake Salvation Army Camp, thanks to the intiative and enthusiasm of Rotarians Dick Baker and Garth Stephanson. Since 1997, the Rotary Clubs of Quinte Sunrise and Trenton joined with the Rotary Club of Belleville to develop and administer this project.

An Intense and Rewarding Three Day Program

The Camp has evolved into a three day conference format, attended by 42 students from the 14 high schools in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. For the last several years, it has been held at the Ramada Inn, Belleville.

Teamwork

Students work in groups to develop a solution to a business case. They are placed in teams representing various owners, managers, employees, bankers and lawyers. They must negotiate a deal to save a failing business with the overall group deciding on the best solution. The case has proven to be a very effective learning tool for these students both in learning about business, but also in learning about peer relations, negotiating and team work.

Wide Ranging Discussions and Activities

They also participate in many discussions and activities that allow them to learn more about themselves, their peers and their community. They listen to guest speakers invited to speak about current issues in the work world and also attend a Monday Rotary luncheon meeting.

Organized by Rotarians

As organizers, Rotarians are able to re-connect with young adults, to provide career advise and to discuss current issues of interest to the area's youth ranging for school curriculum to post secondary choices to job training skills and interpersonal relationships.

The 2003 edition of the Camp is scheduled for April 27 - 29, 2003. Stay tuned for on-line information about the upcoming Camp along with information on how to apply to attend.

My Camp Enterprise Experience

by Jasmine Lightbourne, Grade 12

“Success is not final” and “Failure is a beginning” - a few words of advice from Brian Bentley, the Chair of Camp Enterprise 2002. The three-day trip was filled with fun, exposure to the free enterprise system and the world of business, and challenge and provided us with the opportunity to work with our peers in a non-school setting.

Albert College was well represented by Michael Dittmar (OAC), Andrew Greer (OAC), Guillermo Kennedy (OAC), Bayard Outerbridge (OAC), Sukoji Somner (OAC), and myself. The “Camp” showed the numerous students in attendance a clear view of professional, business and management careers, and allowed us to interact with our peers in order to develop such skills as time management, career direction and skills in social interactions. We were divided into six teams and had to develop a business plan for a struggling manufacturing company. This gave me a taste of what it would be like to work with others in the “real world”. Everyone had different ideas about one case in particular, and it was up to us to decide the best way to solve the problem to everyone's satisfaction.

Besides the work that we had to undertake, we also enjoyed the moments of exciting group activities where we had to work as a team. In addition, we had the use of the Ramada Inn's facilities during our free time and enjoyed delicious food. On Monday afternoon we had lunch with the Rotary Club of Belleville and we were able socialize with the men and women associated with the Club. We also heard life stories of various guest speakers whose main theme was that although life may be full of obstacles, we shouldn't let them deter us from achieving our goals.

Camp Enterprise was a great experience for me, and if you ever have the opportunity to participate in it, go ahead and enjoy every moment of it. It will be one experience that you will never forget!