Grow One™

A collaborative partnership between The Center for Economic Education at Lynchburg College, nonprofit blue KIWI™, and The City of Lynchburg Office of Economic Development resulted in the inaugural residential Grow One™ Summer School. The one week camp was for area rising 7th graders to learn how to become entrepreneurs and business leaders.

On July 15, students arrived on the campus of Lynchburg College for a week-long experience they will never forget. During the day, these young entrepreneurs learned the economics and business basics necessary to start their own societies and businesses. These lessons culminated in an international market day on Friday which 200 parents and guests attended.

Evening activities actively engaged students with a leadership curriculum that came to life with field trips to local entrepreneurial businesses, such as the Hillcats and Putt-Putt Family Fun Center. These entrepreneurs and other community entrepreneurial leaders shared their success stories throughout the entire week, serving as an inspiration and motivation for the campers.

When asked what they liked most about their week-long experience, campers' responses included:

• I liked the fact that we actually got to experience business.
• ...meeting new people and learning to start businesses. It was a great experience.
• Before I came here I already wanted to start a vet business of my own but now it has made me know how and really want to.

Grow One™ has contributed to our community's future workforce and success two-fold: 1) by reversing the economic illiteracy rate among our children; and, 2) by instilling a sense of empowerment in these young people to understand and positively effect the economic impact that entrepreneurial ventures have on our local economy and beyond.

You too can be very effective as 1. Please call Marjette Glass at 434-455-4492 or email her at marjette.glass@lynchburgva.gov for more information about being part of Lynchburg's 1 Programs.