Creative collaboration fuels innovation, and the Teen Entrepreneurship Summer Challenge is poised to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs! Penn State Lehigh Valley’s innovation hub, Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, and The Perkiomen School have announced a two-week summer camp for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in the exciting world of entrepreneurship.

Students will learn key strategies for starting a business and how to develop an entrepreneurial spirit from Penn State professors, Perkiomen School teachers, successful business leaders and student entrepreneurs. See a proposed schedule for the two-week residential program here. Field trips and hands-on, real-world exercises will help build their skill sets and confidence. Upon completing the program, students will be empowered to begin their entrepreneurial journey.

The program runs from June 19 to June 30. Students will be housed at The Perkiomen School, with the majority of the programming taking place at Penn State Lehigh Valley. The Perkiomen School, which sits on a 165-acre campus, provides full residential, athletic and academic facilities. The school recently opened a new Innovation Center where students will be exposed to modern technologies, including 3-D virtual reality, additive manufacturing, computer design and rapid prototyping.

The Summer Challenge will culminate in a pitch competition where the students will present their ideas for addressing a real world business problem to a panel of judges who will decide the winner.

The program gives students the opportunity to develop different perspectives, implement business ideas, connect to future employers, build a personal brand, learn about Lehigh Valley LaunchBox and other Invent Penn State initiatives, enhance technology skills, explore STEM educational programming and connect to Penn State people and students.

The cost per student is $1,950 and includes housing, activities, meals and transportation. For an additional cost of $900, participating students will have the opportunity to earn three college credits during the Summer Challenge, which can be transferred to the college or university of their choice.

Interested students may apply now online. The online application form is available here.  Applications submitted by May 15 will receive first priority. For more information about the Teen Entrepreneurship Summer Challenge, visit the Summer Challenge website, call 610-285-5111 or email summerchallenge@psu.edu. To find out ways to support the program, contact David Yanoshik at 610-285-5118.