From the ages of 5-12, most children are obsessed with toys, sports, treats, t.v, and video games. However, for a group of children running a lemonade stand recently, learning important lessons of entrepreneurship is more important.

Discovery Summer Camps ran a lemonade stand for two days, selling lemonade and popcorn for a dollar a pop. And, with the hard work from the children and leader Christine Allaby, it turned out to be a huge success.

"The kids really worked so hard, they had a ton of fun and they learned a lot. They came out $630 dollars in two days," said Allaby. "It exceeded my expectations. It was amazing, I don't even know how we did that."

While most other children were spending their summer goofing off, the children at Allaby's camp were learning important life skills that come along with running the lemonade stand

"They had to figure out what we were going to need in terms of supplies, we had to discuss location, job responsibilities, all that kind of stuff. They made posters to advertise. Then, we talked about where the money was going to go and how it was going to help a lot of kids."

The $630 raised had to go somewhere that would not only show the children the importance of donating to a good cause but somewhere that each of them would be able to identify with.

"I read some stories to them and all of the kids had a personal experience with (the Children's Hospital). I mean, what parent hasn't been to the Children's Hospital," said Allaby. "We just talked about how it cost a lot of money to keep that facility running and for it to be so amazing."

Allaby said that the skills the children learned would prove useful on their path to adulthood.

"I think it's really important. I think fundraising is important, I think it affects the community, and we did it in a really fun, cool way. So, they were learning math skills, they were learning teamwork, we had to talk about money and making change, customer service. I think they learned a lot."

Along with basic math skills, salesmanship, advertisement and, of course, old school bargaining, the lemonade stand required a good amount of work ethic that Allaby said the children didn't expect.

"I think they realize, especially the ones that came for both days, how much work it was. They realized sitting at the lemonade stand on my driveway wasn't going to attract enough customers and we need to figure out a better market in order to have better sales. So, we had to move the lemonade stand down the street so all the kids and I moved everything, all our supplies, out there. They worked pretty hard, they were all pretty exhausted."

Although a great amount of money was raised for a two-day operation, Allaby said the little workers didn't quite grasp how incredible it was.

"The parents were just thrilled and completely supportive. I think when we discuss it again, when they get presented with that cheque and when a lady from the hospital comes and explains how this money is going to help, I think that will drive the point home."

Allaby said Airdrie did a great job in teaching the kids the importance of generosity as well.

"There was a lot of support. There were a lot of people, especially the second day, that just drove by and handed the kids ten dollar bills and twenty dollar bills."

Moving forward, the children will present the Children's Hospital with the donation on Monday.

Allaby plans to run the camp again near the end of August, hopefully from August 28th to the 30th. She hopes to take all the things learned from this experience and make the next one even more successful.

 

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