What does summer camp make you think of?  The woods, getting dirty, s’mores and camp fires?   Naturally when our friends at the Everhart Museum asked Tony and I to be part of their summer camp we shared the same concern- ‘are we going to scuff our saddle shoes?’  Then we were told it was a camp called ‘Mini Millionaires’ and it was NOT your traditional summer camp!  

The week-long camp was only one of the many week-long adventures the Everhart offers every summer to kids in grades K-6.  Mini-Millionaires week took campers through the process of inventing, branding, marketing and financing their own product.  At the end of the week, the groups presented to a panel of local ‘sharks’ with the hope of buy-in on their big idea.

 

Excited at this educational opportunity, Mr. Joey and Mr. Tony got out the white board and prepared a lesson.  Our week began on Wednesday- our young entrepreneurs had already begun designing their products and our task was to help them brand their new inventions.  Using Tucan Sam and Cap’n Crunch as our tour guides, we dove into the world of branding and advertising- and boy were we impressed with these young minds!   From a fork that would spin your pasta to a space-saving couch that converts to a table and bed, it was clear these kids had some serious ideas- seriously good ideas!

Through our cereal inspired exercise, we helped kids identify the elements of a successful brand and then apply those elements to their own product.  The outcome was solid logo designs for each group to identify their product and use in their presentation later in the week.

At the end of the week, we were honored to be invited back for the campers final presentations of their branded products.  ‘Sharks’ joining us on the panel included Michelle Pane of Fidelity Bank & Trust, Aurore Giguet, Executive director of the Everhart Museum and Katie Gilmartin of Nada & Co.  To say we were collectively impressed is an understatement!  Mr. Wondeful and Lorie Granier would have been battling it out to jump on these ideas!  Great job kids!  And Bravo Everhart on another fantastic program for our kids!