IRL Venture Camp

Launching the Next Gen of Entrepreneurs

A summer experience where young minds build real businesses in just 5 days.
For curious kids aged 10–15.

No idea needed; just imagination.

What is Venture Camp

At Venture Camp, our mission is to ignite a lifelong love of innovation and help kids see entrepreneurship as a real path for their creativity and curiosity.

We believe the skills that make great entrepreneurs — imagination, problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience — are the same skills that shape confident, capable leaders.

By blending creativity with real-world learning, we empower youth to think big, take risks, and believe they can build something of their own.

Our program

Our week-long summer camps for ages 10–15 turn big ideas into real possibilities.

Campers spend five immersive days learning how to start a business — from brainstorming and customer validation to branding, budgeting, and pitching.

Each camp ends with a Pitch Competition, where teams present to local entrepreneurs for a chance to win $1,000 in prizes.

Whether they’re inventing a new product, solving a community problem, or designing a brand,

Venture Camp gives kids the tools and confidence to bring ideas to life.

Why Startups?

We believe entrepreneurial skills are the best investment in:
💡 Creativity – turning imagination into action
📊 Math & Finance – learning real-world problem-solving
🌍 Innovation – building ideas that make an impact

Entrepreneurship teaches kids resilience, teamwork, confidence, and curiosity — skills they’ll use forever, no matter what career they choose.

Why Us?

🧠 Hands-on Learning: No textbooks — campers learn by building and doing.

🤝 Team-Based Fun: Work with other young innovators to bring ideas to life.

🎤 Real Pitch Competition: End the week pitching to entrepreneurs and winning prizes.

🌟 Confidence & Creativity: Campers walk away believing they can turn any idea into action.

💬 Led by Real Entrepreneurs: Learn from founders who’ve built companies of their own.

Where is it?

We’re expanding across Atlantic Canada and the U.S. Northeast!

📍 St. John’s, NL
📍 Halifax, NS
📍 Fredericton / Moncton, NB
📍 Ottawa, ON
📍 Burlington, VT
📍 Portland, ME

Summer 2026 dates and registration opening soon!

Who is it for?

Venture Camp is perfect for kids who:

Are ages 10–15
Love creating, designing, or solving problems
Are curious about how businesses work
Want to meet new friends and have fun while learning

No experience needed — just bring your imagination and an open mind!

Our Success

Venture Camp began in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and in just three years, it’s grown into a movement that’s inspired over 200 young innovators to think like entrepreneurs.

Each year, campers take their ideas from concept to launch and pitch to real investors, founders, and leaders from the startup ecosystem who treat their ideas with genuine interest and respect.

Many campers go on to keep building their projects, turning what started as a summer idea into something real.
Because at Venture Camp, it’s not just about learning business, it’s about seeing that your idea can actually take off.

“I’m blown away by what Vivienne has built.”
Because the content is developed by a teen, she knows what they actually want to learn! It’s exactly what Atlantic Canada needs.
— Investor, Pitch Judge, 2024

“This is my child’s favorite camp!"
Every day they came home excited with ideas. It’s incredible to see a program that’s both fun and teaches real skills. They’re already talking about what business they’ll start next summer!
— Parent, St. John’s Camper 2024

“I didn't think I’d start a business at 12 but I did!”
The counsellors made it fun and helped us figure out our idea.

Now I want to keep building it after camp!

— Camper, Age 12, 2025