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Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp 2025

Youth Expand Entrepreneurial Skills at RAYEC 2025

Young entreprenuers from across Alberta, including our East Parkland region, took steps toward their future business dreams at the Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp (RAYEC) 2025. The 27th annual Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp (RAYEC) wrapped up another successful year after hosting 70 youth at Eagles Nest Ranch in the Cypress Hills from August 10 to 16, 2025.

Organized in partnership with Community Futures and Rotary Clubs across Alberta, RAYEC is a fully sponsored, weeklong camp designed to teach youth aged 12 to 18 about leadership, entrepreneurship and teamwork through hands-on learning. This year’s camp welcomed 60 campers (ages 12–16) and 10 youth leaders (ages 16–18), supported by 20 adult volunteers and a team of professionals who helped guide the experience.

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Building Entrepreneurial Spirit and Confidence

Participants worked in teams to build, finance and sell real products during Business Day, a popular final-day event that simulates a marketplace. A total of $9,290 in loans and floats was distributed, with campers earning an average of $56.57 each. Top-selling products included dirty soda, custom glassware, eco seed bombs and novelty candles, with one team grossing $532.

Alongside business development, campers engaged in traditional outdoor activities such as ziplining, archery, rock climbing and paintball. Social programming included Campfire Night, a themed talent show and a guest presentation by local entrepreneur Your Preference Kombucha, who shared insights into launching a small business in Alberta.

Survey results showed over 90 per cent of campers rated their experience 4 or 5 out of 5, with 100 per cent reporting they gained skills they would continue using after camp. Volunteers and youth leaders echoed the positive outcomes, citing strong engagement, improved training and lasting impact.

Looking to the Future

Community Futures East Parkland remains committed to helping guide youth entrepreneurs and looks forward to continuing our partnership with RAYEC. The program expands each year on providing these young business-minded individuals with access to education and entrepreneurial opportunities.

What some of our East Parkland Campers had to say about RAYEC 2025:

Thank you for sponsoring me. I have learned lots from camp and would like to tell you about it from the things I learned to the experiences I enjoyed. I made many friends and got to try many things thanks to you for sponsoring me.

I learned many things at camp and not just from the presentations but also from other campers. One of the many things I learned about was what the colour spectrum was and how each person has a colour that says a bit about them I learned I am a green and got to meet other greens who have the same interests and think similar to me. I also learned about financials an how you should plan before you buy I learned this from the lemonade game where my group just bought things we thought we needed but missed some things we actually needed like cups we were lucky to have enough money left to get some but if we hadn't stopped to see if we got everything we probably wouldn't have gotten any. I learned how hard you have to work to get things ready even if your business is only open for a day and I hope I can use this knowledge in the future.

What I enjoyed most at camp is hard to say as I enjoyed everything we did and was always having fun. I think one of the top moments would have been the zip line it was very fun a little scary the first time but I think it would be something I would look forward to doing again if I get the chance to attend again. Another thing I enjoyed was how before bed every day the girls in my cabin would gather up and talking to each other telling about them selves this was fun and I was able to get to know my cabin mates better. One other thing that I enjoyed was the campfire it was fun we got to be with friends and it felt like everyone was enjoying it make this a truly fun experience. Another thing I enjoyed was everyday after the meals how me and my friends would teach each other card games and talk to each other we always had a good time and I learned some new card games.

Camp was such a fun experience and a lot stood out but some things more than others. One thing that stood out was the last day sale day it was amazing to see all the hard work each group had done come together and I liked looking around seeing what they all accomplished. Another moment that stood out was the camp trial I had a lot of fun watching the trial and how their lawyers tried to defend them I also enjoyed how the ones who were found guilty got pied in the face. The talent show was a different experience I had a lot of fun watching it was nice as I got to see some of the campers talents and have fun watching the show.

I would just like to say I am truly grateful for the chance to go to this camp. I learned a lot and I made new friends I got to try many new things and just had fun overall so thank you for sponsoring me as I have loved learning and experiencing the thing at this camp.

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