Kids Can – Youth
Entrepreneur Program
About Kids Can
The goal of the Kids Can Youth Entrepreneur Program is to inspire creativity and innovation among youth across Las Cruces and Doña Ana County, through the study of business concepts and development of entrepreneurship skills. The Kids Can program focuses on teaching area youth ages 6-17 important skills for a lifetime of success. These hands-on lessons include leadership training, public speaking and confidence-building exercises, self-reliance and personal empowerment workshops, and financial and business literacy labs.
Youth attend “Super Saturday” workshops, after-school enrichment classes, and week-long camps. Youth showcase and grow their businesses monthly at the Kids Can Jr. Vendor Program at the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market Saturdays. Approximately 20 youth-led businesses rotate there on a monthly basis.
In April and November of each year, business-building workshops are held in advance of a large public fair, to prepare youth to make record breaking sales and display their business ideas in the best possible way. Youth get product feedback and practice making the perfect pitch as well as ask questions of representatives from local business owners and industry experts. Their products and business concepts are evaluated on most original business idea, highest business potential, and best presentation/creativity.
Get in touch: kidscan.yep@gmail.com (575)527-8799 ext. 117
2023 Summer Camps
The Babysitting Club
Come join Kids Can YEP staff and volunteers as we learn age-appropriate business, money management, and leadership skills to use every day. Experience fun, hands-on activities that empower kids and teens with skills to thrive! Youth aged 10-17
You can succeed in the real business world at any age, and have a blast along the way!
Super Saturday Workshop Participants will learn emergency preparedness, and FIRST-AID basics and leave with a Kids Can Babysitting Club Kit. This kit includes essentials for starting a business:
* Business Workbook
* Reward Stickers
* Kids Postcards
* Business Cards
* Client Book
* Sitters’ Report Pad
* Parent Instruction Pad
* Sitters Tote
This Workshop will inspire creative thinking, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and self-reliance.
*Healthy lunch provided
Jr Chefs
Join us for this exciting Summer Camp where youth (aged 10-17) will have the opportunity to learn from a professional instructor the “ins” and “outs” of running a food related business.
provides an opportunity to learn skills and develop traits such as:
• Kitchen safety and cooking basics (self-reliance)
.• Building positive relationships.
• Creating a menu and organize a kitchen staff (collaboration and compromise)
• Budgeting for meals on your menu (financial literacy)
• Marketing and selling skills.
• Event setup and takedown (Team work)
• Seating guests, taking orders, and serving customers (hard work and courtesy)
Lemonade Camp
This Summer camp is a fun, hands-on youth entrepreneur program that teaches kids how to plan, market, and execute their very own business: a LEMONADE STAND!
Kids Can’s Summer Camps build self-reliance and financial literacy skills in youth. (Entering Grades 2nd-8th). In addition, this 3-5 day program introduces important age-appropriate business concepts & entrepreneurial skills.
Youth experience a new level of confidence and see new possibilities for their future—as leaders, business owners, and forward-thinking community members.
ONLY 15 YOUTH PER SESSION
(Spanish and English sessions available)
Business Builders
Business Builders Summer Camp for kids is a FREE, fun hands-on Kids Can youth program that will teach you about entrepreneurship through planning, marketing and building of your very own Business! You will earn your own money and get to decide what to do with it after market day! (Spend, reinvest it, Save or Share it)!
Youth experience a new level of confidence and see new possibilities for their future—as leaders, business owners, and forward-thinking community members.
ONLY 15 YOUTH PER SESSION
(Spanish and English sessions available)
MORE CHANCES TO WIN THIS YEAR!
- Best LOGO Design
- Best Elevator Pitch
- Best Online Presents
- Best Video Pitch
- Leadership Award
- Teamwork Trophies
- People’s Choice Award
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd (Elementary, Middle groups)
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd (High School – Scholarships)
Mini Workshops with our youth in mind: (20 minutes each)
- College Application Help
- Scholarships (FASFA?)
- Interview Skills (Mock Interviews)
- NM Workforce – Website Demo
- Internet Safety (Predator Danger)
- Self-defense, Bullying & Public Safety
(at school or college, when selling your products)
- Financial Literacy (Money Smart Month)
- Mental Health (PARENT TIPS)
- Youth Mentoring
- Civic Engagement
- Personal or Family Goal Setting (SMART GOALS)
- Resume Building (Computer Lab)
- …and more, see registration for details.
CAREER EXPLORATION
- Certificate Programs, Community College and University Reps On-hand
- Visit Interactive Career Booths, including STEM RELATED CAREERS
- Attend Mini-Workshops for the Whole Family
YOUTH MARKET
- Go SHOPPING at over 50 Youth Booths (6-17 years old)
- Explore Resources with our Community Partners
- FREE Community Resource
- Regional Business Contest Winner Announced!!
SPONSORS
Kids Can History
In 2016, Kids Can was launched by area entrepreneur April Christensen as a volunteer-staffed and community-driven youth enrichment program. She conceived of the “hook” of money-making to get youth involved in all of the benefits that exposure to business entrepreneurship offers. The program quickly received wide recognition and financial support from the Las Cruces business and civic community, including financial sponsorships and media coverage. Kids Can was “adopted” by the CAASNM Family Empowerment Program in 2019 because of its strong fit to CAASNM’s mission of self-reliance through business building.
Positive Community Impact
This three-part workshop series is a game changer! Parents and influencers will establish a powerful framework to nurture and develop leadership and life altering skills at home! Youth will learn leadership principles that when applied to life’s tough choices, bring direction and success! Every child has genius! Parents and influencers will learn new ways of thinking and behaviors that can communicate self-worth and encourage each child to recognize their great potential and vision for themselves. You must register to gain access to these incredible workshops!
