CEO Summer Camp: Where Young Minds Build Real Businesses
Hands-on entrepreneurship, money skills, and creative projects for ages 6–18 — all summer long.
Quick Facts (badges):
Ages 5–18 • Monday–Friday • 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM • Columbus, OH • Scholarships Available • Accepts Medicaid* • Lunch Provided • Field Trips Included
*If applicable to your program — remove if not needed.
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What Kids Do At Camp
At CEO Summer Camp, campers don’t just learn about business — they launch one. Each week blends entrepreneurship basics, money management, branding & marketing, and STEM creativity with games and challenges that make learning fun.
• CEO Blueprint Mini-Course: Learn how to spot an opportunity, define a customer, price a product, and pitch with confidence.
• Hands-On Business Labs
Unlike the after-school program — where the CEO Marketplace businesses are already set — our summer campers build their Marketplace from scratch.
On week one, campers form teams, brainstorm ideas, and partner up to create their own real-world businesses. Together, they decide what products or services to offer, design their brand, set prices, and prepare to sell.
Past summer camp Marketplace businesses have included:
• Main Squeeze Lemonade – refreshing drinks with custom flavors and branding
• Sapphire Slime Co. – colorful, scented, and themed slime creations
• Flaming Tattoos – a kid-run “tattoo shop” featuring creative temporary designs
• World of Sweets – chocolate-covered strawberries, pretzels, and other delicious snacks
No two summers are the same — every camp session’s Marketplace is unique, giving campers a fresh experience each year and letting their creativity lead the way.
• Showcase & Pop-Up: Camp closes with a Young Entrepreneurs Pop-Up Shop & Pitch, where families can shop, watch student pitches, and celebrate wins.
• Weekly Enrichment: Fun, educational field trips are included in tuition — no extra fees.
• Daily Meals: Nutritious lunch and snacks are included every camp day — all part of tuition.
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The CEO Bucks™ Economy
Campers earn CEO Bucks for teamwork, leadership, quality work, and meeting goals. They budget, save, and spend in our camp store — learning real-world money habits (saving, giving, reinvesting) in a safe, motivating way.
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Daily Flow (Sample)
• 10:00 Welcome, goals, & warm-up
• 10:20 CEO Blueprint lesson (short + hands-on)
• 11:00 Business Lab rotations (camper-created Marketplace teams)
• 12:15 Lunch & movement break
• 12:45 Production time & order fulfillment
• 2:00 Branding & pitch practice / finance check-ins
• 2:40 CEO Bucks awards & daily wrap
• 3:00 Dismissal
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Ages & Grouping
We welcome ages 5–18 and group by Rookies (5–9), Builders (10–13), and Founders (14–18) so activities match skill level. Older campers can take on leadership roles and advanced production or marketing tasks.
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Safety & Staffing
• Trained facilitators and mentors
• Small group ratios and sign-in/out protocols
• Nut-aware snack policy and clean production areas
• Behavior expectations posted and reinforced with CEO Bucks
• Field trip guidelines and permission forms provided
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What’s Included: Camp t-shirt, materials, showcase event, digital photos, progress report, daily lunch/snacks, and all-inclusive weekly field trips — no extra cost.
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End-of-Camp Showcase
Families are invited to our Young Entrepreneurs Pop-Up. Campers sell (or demo) products, present their commercials, and pitch to The Board (our friendly judges). Standout teams may receive Visionary Entrepreneur Award recognition.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR POP UP SHOP
Annual Young Entrepreneur Pop-Up Shop
Hosted by CEO Blueprint × Lil Dippers
The Annual Young Entrepreneur Pop-Up Shop is a vibrant showcase where our summer camp students turn their business ideas into reality. Throughout the program, young innovators learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship—planning, branding, marketing, and sales—then put their skills to the test by launching their own products and services at this community event.
Families, friends, and community members are invited to shop, support, and celebrate these youth-led businesses. From handmade crafts and tasty treats to creative merchandise and innovative services, each booth is a reflection of our students’ hard work, creativity, and leadership.
This event not only provides real-world business experience but also inspires confidence, teamwork, and financial literacy—preparing our future leaders for success.