Release courtesy of NMSU News Center
WRITER: Justin Bannister, (575) 646-5981, jbannist@nmsu.edu 
CONTACT: Marie Borchert, (575) 646-7839, mhaaland@ad.nmsu.edu
Registration is now open for New Mexico State University’s Camp Innoventure, where middle school students spend a week learning how to create their own business. The camp is sponsored by NMSU’s Arrowhead Center and runs June 14-19 at the university.
“Students will get a true idea of starting a business, as well as producing and marketing a product on a very small scale,” said Marie Borchert, an educational specialist for Arrowhead Center. “We want this camp to inspire students to understand more about entrepreneurship, innovation and the marketplace.”
Camp Innoventure is modeled after Arrowhead’s yearly Innoventure competition, which encourages students from across the state to use science, engineering and business skills to solve problems. Students participating in the summer program will put together a business plan, make a product and then sell it on the Las Cruces Farmer’s Market on the last day of the camp. The curriculum is based on NxLevel’s “Buzz on Biz” textbook.
Borchert said the camp is designed to help students understand the process of developing products from the idea phase to production. Students will practice the skills of problem solving, business writing, teamwork, meeting deadlines and communication.
The camp is open only to students entering 5th-8th grade in the fall. The cost is $70, which includes project materials, most lunches, workbook materials and camp backpack. Five scholarships are available, based on need. For more information, contact Borchert at (575) 646-7839 or visit http://campinnoventure.eventbrite.com to register.