Be Your Own Boss camp at NICC-Cresco

CRESCO - School was barely out for the summer, but a dedicated group of kids signed up for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) summer camp at NICC.

On Friday, June 7, they showed friends and family what they had accomplished in just one week of camp.

This is the seventh year youth from the area have participated in the Be Your Own Boss Camp and learned about STEM in a hands-on atmosphere. 

Kelly  Moellers has been there every year to help teach. Pam Spindler has taught five years, and this was Denise Cook’s first year. 

The instructors have so much fun and see kids enjoy learning and having fun, they have no desire to stop! They loved watching participants cheer each other on and encouraging them to succeed.

The program is sponsored by Northeast Iowa Community College-Cresco Center and Cresco-Area Chamber of Commerce, whose director, Jason Passmore, has also been involved from the get-go. “It has grown every year,” he said. “The maximum is 12, and students from local school districts are also invited.” 

CUSB Bank and Cresco Bank & Trust give scholarships for some students.

The premise of the Be Your Own Boss program is to show how STEM is used in the workplace. This year, students went on several field trips, had a few speakers and used what they learned for their very own business.

They visited Spring Grove Pop, Sue-Z-Q’s and CampSite RV; built a solar car; tried out a flight simulator, where each youth flew a plane; learned about the Cyber Cadet robot; and did some 3-D printing. Youth were able to eat at the school with the  summer breakfast and lunch program.

One of their projects for the week was to make some lemonade and sell it around Cresco. They worked in teams and had to figure out  the best way to market their lemonade, how much to charge and where to sell it. They donated their proceeds to charities.

One group made $41 for Make a Wish. They sold their drink at Beadle Park. “We learned from our mistakes,” one of the  youth stated.

Group two sold their lemonade during a ball game at Evans Park. One team member said, “We ran up and down and had  big signs. We put it on social media.” Another announced they sold out. They made $97 for the Humane Society.

Group three sold in front of the courthouse. One said, “We screamed for people to come.” They got a lot of tips and ended  up donating $233 to HoCA (Howard County Cancer Association). Board member Vicki Sovereign was there to accept the donation.

The kids’ big project was to come up with a business. They made a plan, designed their own business cards and made a 30-45 second video describing their business to potential investors. They also told how they would give back to the community, either by donated product, service or money.

Their businesses included:

Grifio’s Furniture: Feel Comfortable and Relaxed (Griffin Hayek)

The Bubbly Cow: Washing Cows for you (Eva Sebastian)

Nate’s Spring Shoes: Put a Spring in Your Step with Nate’s Spring Shoes (Nate)

Adotto: Fitness Apparel for Young Athletes (Zoey Mehmert)

Dress & Designs: Fashionable & Affordable (Ella Dennler)

Sweet Treat: Making Your Sweet Dreams come True (Maryn Hvitved)

Mackenzie’s Popsicles 

Solar Wind H2O: A Renewable Way to make Electricity 

Jay’s Shoe Co.: It’s Your Shoe (Jay Payne)

Yarn Good Time: Best Yarn for the Best Prices (Bella Schlatter)

Ava’s Animal Society (Ava Eleene Daley)