Biz Kid$ Real “Succeeding in Youth-Led Programs”

Introductions Name game!

Program Overview History and structure of Biz Kid$ Real

History Biz Kid$ was Developed by the City of Rochester Department of Recreation in 1999 Initially conducted at local recreation centers offering ongoing classes on starting a business Eventually was restructured into a camp format Now consists of a series of programs leading up to Biz Kid$ Real

Biz Kid$ Camps Four camps each year: – Ages (July and August) – Ages (February and April) The program is free to city residents and includes lunches, prizes, and business supplies. Non-city residents can attend camp for a fee. Camps are taught by program coordinators, recreation staff, and community partners Instruction is given through games, contests, and fun activities – not in a lecture format Throughout the week, students develop their business and eventually present their plan to a panel of judges

Biz Kid$ & Beyond Ongoing workshops for graduates Interactive seminars and field trips on variety of topics: – Product Development – Banking & Record Keeping – Customer Service – Marketing – SimBiz - Business Simulation Game

Biz Kid$ Real Partnership with the Rochester Public Market and the Famers Market Federation of New York Group of 12 camp graduates charged with creation of healthy snack product line made out of NYS produce Youth involved in all aspects of product development, marketing and sales

Biz Kid$ Real (cont.) 2009 created the “Vive” product line featuring 2 fresh pressed juices and fruit kabobs Sold locally at farmer’s markets, festivals and for 2 weeks at the NYS Fair Youth hired in the summer as part of Summer of Opportunity youth employment program

Biz Kid$ Real Program Structure Participants are selected annually through an application/interview process in Oct./Nov. – Returning and new students are selected Students meet monthly from Nov. – May for business development: – Product development – Marketing – Networking – Organization – Field trips, etc.

Biz Kid$ Real Program Structure (cont.) Students work at summer placements from June- Aug. – Weekly meetings for summer sales activities Students sell products at weekend festivals throughout the summer Students attend the NYS fair at the end of Aug. – Biz Kid$ Real sells at the fair in partnership with the NYS Farmers Market Federation A recognition celebration is held in Oct.

How to be Successful in Youth- Led Programs 1. It has to be fun and interactive when learning

It has to be fun and interactive Pipe cleaner activity – Keeps hand busy – Encourages the creative side of the brain – Gives students something to share with the group

It has to be fun and interactive Rock, Paper, Scissors! Helps students understand risk-taking, etc. You have several Biz Kid$ “Bucks” to risk by playing – You can play as many times as you would like – You can bet one at a time and go double or nothing as many times as you would like GO!

It has to be fun and interactive Find your animal – Helps students learn to be more outgoing – Improves interaction between students Each of you has a picture of an animal There is one other person with the same animal By acting and sounding like your animal, locate the other person GO!

It has to be fun and interactive Main points: Experiential learning is the future Work should be fun (instills this concept) Moves things along

How to be Successful in Youth- Led Programs 2. Youth Make the Decisions

Youth make the decisions One of the first activities of Biz Kid$ Real is brainstorming product ideas Your task- Make the decision on what we will sell! – Small groups – Brainstorm a healthy snack product – After 5 minutes, each team will present – Prizes for the winning team! GO!

Youth make the decisions Main Points: Adults - guide and advise only Let them think out of the box (don’t ever squelch creativity) Some things won’t be feasible – help them to see what’s possible This process takes longer than you think – give it time

How to be Successful in Youth- Led Programs 3. It’s not all about the money, It’s also about the relationships

It’s not all about the money

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