A group of enterprising Los Gatos High School juniors will travel to Asilomar in Pacific Grove March 12-14 for a stay at Camp Enterprise, which differs significantly from the typical camping experience.
Hosted by the Rotary Clubs of San Jose and Los Gatos, Camp Enterprise gives students hands-on lessons in how and why the free-enterprise system works, the meaning of profit, the importance of business ethics and the role of group decision-making.
The Rotary Clubs select student applicants on the basis of their academic performance, school and community service and interest in learning more about free enterprise. LGHS is represented by Kristen Bartlett, Peter Beritzhoff, Brian Brook, Tina Chang, Angel Cheng, Laura Destro, David Friedland, Fred Luminoso, Shoshunna Parks, Shannon Ramsay and Doug Thorburn.
Eighty to 100 juniors from approximately two dozen high schools in the greater San Jose area will be mixed into small groups. They will work with Rotarians to create, finance and market hypothetical goods and services and learn about business through workshops and other meetings. On the last day, each group will present its business plan to the entire assembly; this presentation may include an advertising campaign, a budget, a model of the product or a skit.
Although all three days are tightly scheduled, the event does include time for more traditional camp-type activities such as a bonfire, a dance, volleyball and time at the beach. Food, lodging and bus transportation are paid for by Rotary.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, March 12, 1997.
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