LAKELAND - There's still time for young entrepreneurs to get involved with the 2022 Lemonade Day, set to take place across Northern Alberta on June 18.
While a 'Lemmy U' training day was scheduled for this week on April 19, Penny Fox, general manager with Community Futures St. Paul-Smoky Lake region, says youth who register past that date will still have the opportunity to take part and get the necessary training.
The Lemonade Day event took place in the St. Paul, Smoky Lake and Vilna areas last year, and "this year we have added Ashmont and Mallaig and are hoping to see some kids in Elk Point take part," says Fox. She was also working with registrants in the Waskatenau area.
As of late last week, there were at least 17 registrants signed up for Lemonade Day.
"The program is about teaching youth about entrepreneurship and to join others across Northern Alberta to run a lemonade stand on Lemonade Day," says Fox in a letter addressed to the Town of St. Paul, offering a heads-up on the June 18 event, and asking for their participation.
Registration is available online.
"There will be mentor sessions offered in the later part of April and then we are planning our taste testing June 9. The mentor session is where the new entrepreneurs learn about the program, get their manuals and training around food safety. The taste testing day is when they bring us a sample and we judge the best tasting lemonade," explains Fox.
Participating municipalities are asked to provide a simple business licence to participants, and enter into a basic one-day lease if the youth want to put their lemonade stand on municipal land, teaching them important lessons on how to run a small business.
"As the youth - and the mentors - work through their workbooks they are encouraged to set a goal, make a plan and then follow that plan. We are also asking them to use the money earned in the following ways: save a little... share a little... and to spend a little... There is no charge for youth to participate," explains Fox. The Community Futures office and sponsors help cover the costs, which includes prizes and advertising.
