Bringing back the 'Business Challenge'

Talk about it

More than 150 area students and educators are registered for Dickinson State University’s Business Challenge, a week-long entrepreneurial business camp which begins Sunday.

One of the objectives is to provide students and educators with a better appreciation and understanding of business and entrepreneurship, said coordinator Katie Mehrer.

“Business Challenge is an exciting one-of-a-kind experience that offers participants first-hand experience with the world of business,” she said. “Participants also gain a lot of skills in leadership, communications, team-building, responsibility and money management, but it’s also about fun, too.”

The high school student course runs from Sunday until Friday, the educator course runs from Sunday until Wednesday, and the university student course runs Saturday until Friday.

High school students receive half a credit or dual credit and educators earn continuing education credits. It’s a summer course for university students, Mehrer said.

The event began in 1978 and since then more than 7,500 participants have gone through the program, according to the Business Challenge Web site.

A variety of activities and speakers are planned.

During the event, each section is split up into groups which form companies which do “Biz Sim” business simulation.

The computer-generated business allows groups to make various decisions, including production marketing and advertising.

Business leaders from across the state are assigned a company to lead.

Melissa Johnson, general manager of the Comfort Inn in Dickinson will be a company advisor for the second time this year.

“I did it a couple of years ago and I had a very rewarding week and working with the kids is a lot of fun,” Johnson said. “I think it’s really important. I think there are some great things that they can learn.

“I think that it’s an amazing experience for them to hear the speakers and do the activities.”

While educator registration numbers are down this year, student numbers are up by about 30, Mehrer said.

More than 250 businesses, organizations and individuals provide sponsorship, financial support and in-kind donations to enable students and educators to attend the program.

For more information, visit www.gobusinesschallenge.com.

Tags: news, local, hazen, hockey, rink, carbon, monoxide