For as far back as many of us can remember, it’s not summer until you see a child set up a lemonade stand. Here in Chestermere, we see this happen all over our community but this June it’s going to happen like never before.
Lemonade Day is a youth entrepreneurship initiative that has taken the USA by storm. With over 1 million children participating since its inception in 2007 – Lemonade Day is a fun, experiential learning program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their own business – a lemonade stand.
In 2007, founder Michael Holthouse had a vision to empower today’s youth to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs through helping them start, own and operate their very own business…a lemonade stand. Lemonade Day is a strategic 14-step process that walks youth from a dream to a business plan, while teaching them the same principles required to start any big company. Inspiring kids to work hard and make a profit, they are also taught to spend some, save some and share some by giving back to their community.
On Saturday June 11th, lemonade stands will pop up all over Chestermere – being only the 3rd municipality in Canada to execute Lemonade Day. Youth ages 6 to 17 are invited to join the program and participate in Chestermere’s first Lemonade Day.
So, how does it work? Well, starting April 4th youth ages 6 to 17 can register online at www.chestermere.lemonadeday.org/registration Local businesses will have previously signed up to be a participating location where youth participating in Lemonade Day can set up their stands in front of the businesses location. It will be first come first served for available locations in the City. Over the course from when they register until Lemonade Day, participants will have access to mentors and will also be provided with information and resources to help them be successful on this exciting and motivating day.
This is a free event for the youth and is focused on teaching them life lessons with a focus on youth entrepreneurship and fun. David Petrovich, Economic Development Officer with the City of Chestermere is spearheading this initiative and has enlisted the help of local business owners and community members to be on the Lemonade Day Organizing Committee.
Petrovich says, “We are looking for the following involvement for Lemonade Day:
* Sponsors are desperately needed to fund all elements of this event from providing the youth with workbooks to teach them the process of establishing a business, training mentors, purchasing the Lemonade Day license and all the other elements associated with such a large event
* Mentors to support the youth and the questions they may have as they move through the training process;
* Businesses to allow youth to set up stands in front of their businesses on June 11; and,
* Youth to operate the stands.”
Registration starts April 4, 2016 and will be made available on-line or at City Hall. Registration instructions will be provided mid-March. “Parents, please support your child and be a mentor. Business people will also be mentors for groups of children but a parent is the best mentor as they are able to provide one-on-one attention”, added Petrovich.
Mayor Patricia Matthews added, “Lemonade Day is such a fantastic initiative and we’re very excited that it’s going to be brought to Chestermere this year to teach our future leaders how to be great entrepreneurs. What a fantastic opportunity and kudos to Councillor Massig for winning the prize money that started it all off! We hope to see everyone out there supporting the kids.”
Please contact David Petrovich with the City of Chestermere at (403)207-7065 for more information or to become a sponsor, mentor or business location for kids to set up their stands.
