Okanagan Young Entrepreneurs
Summer Camps
OUR UNIQUE CAMPS
The Okanagan Young Entrepreneur Camp empowers youth to explore creativity, build confidence, and develop real-world business skills by creating, branding, and selling their own products — culminating in the exciting opportunity to sell at a live community market.
Designed for youth ages 8 to 13, students are guided through a micro-enterprise journey: from concept and creation right through to selling their work in front of the public. Delivered in a calm, inspiring environment, our program emphasises collaboration, confidence, and real-world learning — helping students understand how creativity, business, and community are meaningfully connected.
Our camps are created and led by veteran Kathy Sawchuk, community children's program developer and founder of the East Kelowna Market, and Rene Wolfe, a seasoned business professional, entrepreneur, and experienceD homeschool educator. Both Kathy and Rene hold Clear RCMP Criminal Background Check including Vulnerable Sector Check, BC Interior Health Food Safe and First Aid Certificates. They bring warmth, creativity, real-world business experience, and deep community roots to every session — creating a safe, nurturing environment where every child feels encouraged to try, create, and shine.
"Our Winter and Spring Camps were a great success and we are proud and excited to offer our unique program to the Okanagan community this summer." Kathy & Rene
TWO CAMPS TO CHOOSE FROM - OR CHOOSE BOTH!
"The Original" Okanagan Young Entrepreneur Camp
For the creative builders and makers! Students use their imagination and the materials provided to design and craft unique handmade products. Along the way they learn our entrepreneur curriculum, from business idea right through to market launch, gaining the confidence and skills to run a real micro-business.
Dates: July 20 – 23, 2026
Schedule: Monday to Thursday, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Market Day: August 29 — Truck 59, West Kelowna (voluntary)
Location: East Kelowna Hall, 2704 East Kelowna Road, Kelowna
Fee: $325 per student (all-inclusive)
"Farm to Market" Okanagan Young Entrepreneur Camp
For the food lovers and kitchen creators! Students work in an Interior Health Certified commercial kitchen, learning food safety, proper equipment use, and cleanliness — then make packaged food products to sell at the East Kelowna Market. The same entrepreneur curriculum from business start to market launch is woven throughout the week.
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Dates: August 10 – 13, 2026
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Schedule: Monday to Thursday, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
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Market Day: September 19 — Luckhurst Farm (voluntary)
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Location: East Kelowna Hall, 2704 East Kelowna Road, Kelowna
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Fee: $325 per student (all-inclusive)
THE EXPERIENCE
Join an awesome team where you and your new crew will build and run a real business together.
Come up with your big idea, build your brand, design, make and launch your products.
Create, make, build, craft and paint.
Run your very own market table — decorate it, set it up and sell face to face with real live customers like a total boss!
Earn REAL money by selling your products at a real market.
Kitchen campers will prepare real packaged food products in an actual certified commercial kitchen.
Be a hero in your community — your team gets to VOTE on a local cause to donate part of your earnings to.
Get inspired by real local business owners who will come in just to meet YOU and share their secrets to success!
Surprise snacks every day.
Play epic games and have a blast with new friends.
COST vs VALUE
For just $16.25 per hour your child receives a fully supervised, all-inclusive entrepreneurship experience — and here is everything that is packed into the $325 fee:
20 hours of supervised instruction by facilitators Kathy & Rene
All materials and supplies to create a plethora of unique and sellable products
Daily snack and drink
Indoor and outdoor games
Daily exercise "brain breaks"
Special guest speakers
Walking field trip to a neighboroing farm or small business
Market day entrance fee
Market booth, furnishings and decorations
4 hours of market day support & supervision by Kathy & Rene
75% of all sales revenue returned equally among all students
THE MARKET DAY EXPERIENCE
Participation in the market day is optional. Whether or not a student attends, every student in the camp will receive their equal share of the total sales revenue generated on market day — because the products truly are a team effort. That said, we warmly encourage all students to take part. Selling directly to the public is a powerful, memorable experience and an important part of the group journey they share with their peers.
How Proceeds Are Shared
75% — of sales revenue is divided equally among every student, whether or not they attended market day.
25% — of sales revenue is donated to a community program, chosen by student vote at the very start of camp week.
BEFORE & AFTER CAMP CARE
Need a little extra time on either end of the day? We offer supervised before and after care for our camp students. Book an hour before or an hour after, or both, for only $10 an hour per session.
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Morning Before Camp — 8:30 am to 9:30 am | $10.00
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Afternoon After Camp — 2:30 pm to 3:30 am | $10.00
Both sessions for the same day = $20 Select your preferred sessions during the online registration process.
HOW TO REGISTER
Spaces are limited to just 20 students per camp week. We recommend registering early to avoid disappointment!
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Complete the registration form by clicking the Register Now button at the bottom of this page.
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Send your e-transfer payment to kathy.eastkelownamarket@gmail.com
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Watch for your confirmation email. Once both your form and payment are received your spot is officially secured!
REFUND POLICY
Due to the significant planning, sourcing, and purchasing of materials that goes into every camp week, all registration fees are non-refundable. We appreciate your understanding and encourage families to carefully review dates before registering.
If you have any questions before registering please don't hesitate to reach out. Email us at: contactokvpe@gmail.com
If you are on an iPhone or a phone that is not updated our registration form may not load, if this happens, email us and we will send you the form by email! contactokvpe@gmail.com
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Okanagan Young Entrepreneurs is Powered by Okanagan Valley Programs & Events and the East Kelowna Market