The community of Valley County, Nebraska invests in its students in a big way. With a focus on entrepreneurship and a commitment to its youth, one of the most successful ways Valley County illustrates this investment is through the annual Entrepreneurship Investigation (ESI) Camp.
With curriculum developed by the University of Nebraska and Nebraska 4‑H now in its fourth year, ESI Camp hosts 20 – 25 students from Valley County and surrounding communities. ESI Camp students attend workshops over four days where they develop, design and build their own products. Throughout the week, students build their entrepreneurship skills and learn what it takes to compete in a global marketplace — right in their hometown. On the last day of ESI Camp, the students showcase and sell their products to community members at the ESI Marketplace.
Ask almost anyone why the ESI Camp is so successful and you’re sure to get the same answer: it’s a true community-wide collaboration where members of the local business community share their time and talents with students.