The Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders is partnering with the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce to offer free workshops and camps for students to learn how to prepare for college and work this summer.
This free weeklong workshop/boot camp is geared for students entering ninth and tenth grades. In Burlington County, the boot camp will be July 18 to July 22 at the Burlington County Special Services School, 20 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton.
The students will break into teams and launch their own fictional business, which they will design, manufacture, market, and sell a product. They will make hiring and budgeting decisions as well. A panel of business people will judge their performance and award prizes to the winners. All participants will receive a certificate from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
“This program will give students the opportunity to experience what it is like in the business world and how companies function in a life-like scenario,” said Freeholder Joseph Donnelly.
The boot camp is open to college-bound students who will be entering ninth or tenth grades in the fall of 2011. Primary consideration will be given but not limited to college-bound students with disabilities and special needs. Students will need to work in teams. Due to the rigorous content of the event, an eighth-grade reading level and successful completion of ninth grade course work is required to participate.
Burlington County parents interested in enrolling their children should submit applications by July 1. The student’s parent or guardian must sign the application, which includes a press/photography/video release. Confirmation of acceptance into the workshop will be sent to the parent via the email address provided on the application.
Burlington County was chosen as a pilot site under the Disability Employment Initiative to improve education, training, and employment opportunities and outcomes of youth who are unemployed, underemployed, and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits. This camp is a part of this pilot initiative.
The boot camps, funded by a grant from the N.J. Department of Labor and Workforce Development, were developed by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation as part of its LearnDoEarn initiative, which gives students information from the business community to help them prepare for college, work and life.
For more information, contact LearnDoEarn at [email protected] or call 609–989–7888, ext. 144.
