May 18, 2011

Popular High School CampCEO set for July 22

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- High School CampCEO, the popular youth entrepreneurship camp from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is back for summer 2011.

High School CampCEO Crash Course 2011 is set for July 22 and the registration deadline is July 15. The camp, recipient of national recognition, originated seven years ago as a weeklong event for teenage entrepreneurs and since evolved into an intense, one-day experience.

“CampCEO 2011 is an action-packed day giving high school youths the chance to interact with young entrepreneurs from throughout Southern Illinois. In the crash course format, we expose the students to many different types of business and entrepreneurs so they can soak up all of the information about how and why these young people started their companies and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur,” said Robyn Laur Russell, director of business development and international trade for SIUC.

The camp begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, located at 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale. From then until it all wraps up at 6 p.m., the high school students will enjoy a whirlwind experience including business development training, financial advice and marketing concepts. They will visit local businesses, meet with successful area entrepreneurs and more.

The cost of the camp is $49 and that includes all materials, a camp T-shirt, meals and transportation to the various participating sites. Registration is on a first come basis and limited to the first 20, so organizers recommend signing up early.

To register, or for more information about High School CampCEO, contact SIUC Entrepreneurship and Business Development at 618/536-2424 or visit the website at www.siusbdc.com.

The University’s Entrepreneurship and Business Development unit hosts the event and sponsors include Regions Bank, Sao’s Asian Bistro, Black Diamond Harley-Davidson, Arthur Agency and WSIL TV. To learn more about the SIUC entrepreneurship program and the various business development services it provides to entrepreneurs throughout the region, contact Russell at 618/453-3805.