During the week of July 27, three Fremont high schoolers hosted a summer camp to encourage elementary and middle school students to dip into their entrepreneurship side. This year marks the second annual Ubuntu Entrepreneurship and Startup Summer Camp. The camp was founded by five Fremont high schoolers: Ananya Aggrawal, Armaan Agrawal, Anika Dileep, Esha Bansiya and Shreya Sadhwani. Although its first year started as a small initiative with just eight students, the camp saw more than double the participation with seventeen students this summer.
The camp’s focus was to provide students with practical, hands-on experience in innovating, coding and pitching ideas to investors, culminating in a final mini-Shark Tank event. Throughout the week, the students were encouraged to think out of the box and attempted to design and invent their ideas. From eco-friendly solutions to cutting-edge apps, the pitches showcased the wide range of creativity. Car-PS was an idea to locate your car in the parking area, and Snugsters were introducing insulated eco-friendly pants. Each student pitched their products and received valuable feedback from peers, parents and the camp mentors.
“The club was an amazing experience,” commentied a family who participated both years. “We were very impressed with the whole process. The clear communication, coming up with a plan of action, and goals at the end of the endeavor were very nicely done.”
The camp’s success is drawn from the high school students’ previous experience in tutoring students and participating in their own hack-a-thons. Ubuntu Circle, a non-profit based in the Bay Area, has previously worked with elementary students. From 2018 to 2020, Ubuntu Circle organized a group of 10 to 15 middle and high schoolers who tutored math at local underprivileged schools, including Brier and Santee Elementary. Although the program has not started again since the pandemic, Ubuntu Circle is determined to continue educating and influencing the youth around them.
As Ubuntu Circle looks to the future, there are plans to expand its reach even further with possible workshops with successful entrepreneurs, collaboration with local businesses, and perhaps even a school-wide entrepreneurship fair. The South Bay and Palo Alto have such camp options, but this is one of a kind in the Tri-City area. Being in the Bay Area, it is rewarding to give these young kids exposure to creativity and technology. One thing is for certain, Ubuntu Circle will continue to uplift and educate local youth.
