Case Study: The Impact of Student Summer Ventures in the South Georgian Bay Region

The YOU Power Project recently launched a powerful initiative in the South Georgian Bay region designed to empower young minds, ignite entrepreneurial thinking, and foster community connections. Our Student Summer Ventures program invited youth aged 10-18 from Municipalities across Simcoe and Grey Counties, including Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Clearview, and the Town of the Blue Mountains to dive into the world of entrepreneurship with hands-on experience. A special mention to Community Futures South Georgian Bay and the Collingwood SBEC who were key players in bringing together the various Program Sponsors.

The results? Inspiring.

In just six weeks, the program helped these young participants take ideas and transform them into fully operational businesses. With mentorship, structured support, and the resources needed to thrive, students in South Georgian Bay proved that young people are ready to create, contribute, and lead.

The Program: An Introduction to Real-World Entrepreneurship

Student Summer Ventures was developed to address the increasing need for youth-focused skill-building opportunities in South Georgian Bay. With the region’s strong emphasis on community connection and local economic development, this program aimed to give students more than just classroom learning. By focusing on financial literacy, project management, and community engagement, the program empowered students to see their ideas as pathways to real, positive change.

Each week, students attended 1x 1 hour virtual workshop on an essential skills—such as budgeting, ideal client avatars, and marketing—and applied those lessons to their own ventures. The focus was on fostering skills that are not only valuable for business but also vital for personal development and resilience in an evolving world.

Impressive Outcomes: From Ideas to Real Businesses

The results of Student Summer Ventures highlight what young people can achieve with the right resources. Over 83% of participants created and ran functional businesses by the end of the program. Even more impressive, 33% completed every program milestone with perfect attendance records, demonstrating high engagement and a genuine passion for their projects.

Here’s a glimpse of what these young entrepreneurs in South Georgian Bay accomplished:

• Delilah, age 15: “One of my favorite parts was ‘Dream Day’ when we made vision boards. It helped me see how my ideas could become real.”
• Payton, age 11: “I launched my ice cream business at our family’s farm. Learning about expenses really helped, and I’m proud to say I sold out on my first day!”
• Charlotte, age 14: “The program taught me how to better market my dog-walking business. It’s grown, and I’m more comfortable speaking to clients.”
• "Coach" Cruz, age 11: “I do soccer training for kids ages 6-9, and this program helped me organize my business and time. My goal is to help kids follow their dreams in soccer.”

These stories are a testament to the capabilities and resilience of youth in South Georgian Bay. They learned essential business skills, grew their confidence, and embraced the opportunity to make a difference in their communities.

Why Youth Entrepreneurship Matters for South Georgian Bay

As one of Ontario’s vibrant regions, South Georgian Bay benefits from investing in youth entrepreneurship programs like Student Summer Ventures. When young people learn to develop a business idea, manage finances, and engage with their community, they’re not only building a foundation for personal success but also contributing to the economic and social strength of the region.

In today’s unpredictable economy, the resilience and adaptability developed through entrepreneurship have never been more crucial. Future Skills Centre’s research points to the risk of “labour market scarring”—where youth face long-term impacts on earnings and career prospects, especially during economic downturns. Programs like Student Summer Ventures provide youth with a sense of purpose and practical skills that help combat these risks.

The Future of Youth Programming in South Georgian Bay

With such positive outcomes, we’re excited to continue our work in South Georgian Bay. By collaborating with economic development leaders, schools, and local organizations, we can create more opportunities for youth to explore their interests, learn relevant skills, and actively engage with their community.

If you’re an economic development leader or community stakeholder in South Georgian Bay, we’d love to connect and explore how we can expand our programs to reach even more young people. Together, we can help nurture the next generation of South Georgian Bay’s leaders, creators, and innovators.

Let’s build a future in South Georgian Bay where youth are empowered to thrive and communities benefit from their success.

READ THE IMPACT REPORT OF THIS PROGRAM HERE