Midlands Technical College will host the Jesse Helms Center’s Free Enterprise Leadership Challenge (FELC) at its Harbison Campus on June 27-30. FELC is a five-day, learning intensive, non-residential summer camp that teaches important free enterprise principles, supports philanthropic efforts and encourages the creation of good character.
During the week, students create a company and a product to sell for a real profit. At the end of the week, students have the option to split their profits or donate the funds to the non-profit organization Kiva. Kiva is a microfinance website that allows donors to make loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries. FELC graduates have loaned and re-loaned over $45,000 to small business owners across the world.
"Going to the camp not only aroused an interest in me to learn more about the business sector in the economy but helped me make vital connections in both my economics and government class this year,” said Elexis Jenkins, a FLEC graduate. “I appreciated how the camp brought abstract concepts to life in a fun and engaging manner. Leadership has always been a passion of mine and at the camp I was able to re-enforce this passion."
Students who participate in FELC programs:
Learn principled leadership skills;
Understand critical free enterprise principles;
Experience firsthand what it takes to run a successful business;
Increase their academic competitiveness with fun, interactive games and engaging breakout sessions.
The program is provided for high school students who will be rising sophomores, juniors or seniors in high school at the start of the 2016 and want to learn more about free enterprise through hands-on business experience. Click here to sign up for the program.
Since 1995, the Helms Center has provided the affordable entrepreneurship education through FELC to over 8,300 students from 27 states and 14 countries.