Monday, June 15, 2009

Youth from five area counties will learn the skills necessary to turn their business dreams into reality June 15-19. Recognizing that innovation and entrepreneurship are the keys to economic recovery and individual success, the Cameron School of Business (CSB) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington will provide teens with hands-on entrepreneurship experience and interaction with faculty and regional business professionals.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP), which began in 2004, is a week-long summer program for youth ages 12-16. While on the UNC Wilmington campus, participants will create their own business idea and develop a complete business plan encompassing financing, product development, marketing and staffing. Sessions will include interactive, hands-on group work, teambuilding and motivating guest speakers. On Friday, June 19, the students will present their projects to professionals who will provide feedback and suggestions.

"My favorite part of YEP was the individual attention and the hands-on experience I gained in thinking of all parts of forming a business," said Kevin Thompson, Laney High School senior and 2008 YEP participant who will attend UNCW in the fall. Thompson created a business plan for a law firm that would represent corporations and small businesses. He will be back with YEP this year as a student mentor, sharing his experiences with younger campers.

Tammi Hamilton, CSB lecturer and YEP program facilitator, noted that the program attracts a diverse group of students, exposing participants to individuals of different ethnicities, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.

"YEP helps bridge the gap between the university and the community," Hamilton said. "I want to make the dream of college a reality for all of these children. We are teaching them the value of self and that they should believe in themselves."

About 60 campers are expected in this year's YEP program. In addition to the CSB, the program is sponsored by The Daniels Company (Windell Daniels and family), Black Pages USA, the Upperman African American Cultural Center and the UNCW Office of Academic Success Initiatives.

Media visual and interview opportunities:
Team-building ropes course: 12 p.m. Monday, June 15
Hands-on business project development: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 17
Junior business expo: 11 a.m. Friday, June 19

Media contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW marketing and communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu