2024 NICHE Jr. Summer Entrepreneurship Camp Application

The NICHE Inc. entrepreneurship summer camp for kids is a program designed to teach young children about the basics of starting and running a business.

Crooked Creek Northwest CDC in Indianapolis will host the first NICHE Jr. camp this summer in Covenant Community Church. The camp runs from June 3 through July 26, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, excluding the week of July The camp is open to all children between the ages of 9 and 13. 

The goal of this camp is to inspire and teach children about entrepreneurship, so they can develop important life skills such as creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and financial literacy.

The camp will include hands-on activities, workshops, and team-building exercises to encourage children to work together and come up with innovative business ideas.

Some of the activities that children may participate in at the entrepreneurship summer camp include:

1. Brainstorming and ideation sessions: Children will be encouraged to come up with creative business ideas, work in groups and brainstorm ideas, and learn how to evaluate those ideas for feasibility.

2. Market research and validation: Children will learn how to conduct market research, assess market demand, and validate their business ideas through customer interviews, surveys, and focus groups.

3. Product development: Children will learn how to design and develop a product or service that meets the needs of their target market.

4. Business planning: Children will learn how to create a business plan, develop a marketing strategy, and manage finances.

5. Pitching and presentations: Children will learn how to communicate their business ideas effectively and deliver presentations to potential investors, customers, and stakeholders.

Crooked Creek Northwest CDC has made scholarships available to those who qualify thanks to the Indianapolis Urban League, Arthur Dean Family Foundation, CICF, and The Calvin J. Kanzanjian Economic Foundation.

Our funding partners prioritize equity and inclusion and have allocated funds to provide scholarships to those who qualify. Residents of color who live in Crooked Creek CDC communities will receive priority scholarships. The CDC boundaries are 46228, 46254, 46260, 46268, and 46278. 

Before applying, please acknowledge that you understand that your child will be working on a seven-week project with a team. They will rely on each other, hold each other accountable, and divide and conquer the process of starting a business. 

Each person will play a critical role in the success of the team. It is important that your child is punctual and present for the duration of the program.

Please inform the camp director of any planned vacations. Exceptions will be made for illness.