ts institute employees with students in front of the ba

Local entrepreneurship camp introduces business practices to fourth grade students

July 13, 2021 | TS Bank

Thirty fourth grade students from Bloomer, Carter Lake, College View, Crescent, Edison, Franklin, Hoover, Longfellow, Lewis & Clark, Roosevelt and Rue elementary schools in Council Bluffs visited TS Bank at 43 Scott St. from June 14th to 17th to learn about entrepreneurship and start up business tactics. 

Each day of the camp covered a different topic ranging from the traits of entrepreneurs, what tools and resources do entrepreneurs use, how does a business make a profit or loss, how do entrepreneurs solve problems and lastly how do entrepreneurs sell their products and services in a global economy. Each day students worked in small groups to create their own hot dog business and on the final day of the camp the group celebrated with a hot dog lunch.

students studying business plans

The camp was sponsored by TS Institute employees Kyle Osborne, Director of Financial Literacy and Traci Dresher, Programs Manager. The mission of TS Institute is to partner with K-12 educators, non-profits and other community organizations and equip them with up-to-date, low-cost resources in economics and finance. The ultimate goal is to provide a robust, comprehensive financial literacy and economic program that can be replicated in multiple states.

students holding a race track

“The reason we offer these types of camps is to expose students to a world outside of the classroom. We want to show how entrepreneurship helps make a thriving community and at the center of each business is financial health,” said TS Institute Director of Financial Literacy, Kyle Osborne. “It's our hope these fourth grade students leave our camps with a bigger vision for their lives, the ability to collaborate and solve problems, and most importantly they see the need for having a good understanding of money and saving habits.”

students listening to a teacher

This camp introduced students to the concepts of entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness. It provided a practical approach to starting a business while preparing them to be entrepreneurial in their thinking to meet the requirements of a demanding and ever-changing workforce.

“Through TS Institute’s partnership with the Council Bluffs Community School District, we were able to provide an educational and engaging experience for 4th grade students this summer,” TS Institute’s Program Manager, Traci Dresher. “The students were invited to think, evaluate and act like entrepreneurs this week by dreaming up a business using resources in certain regions of the United States. Their creativity was inspiring! You can already see the characteristics of budding entrepreneurship in their thought processes.”

students raising hands for teacher

To learn more about the TS Institute visit their website.

At TS Bank, we IGNITE PROSPERITY® by helping our clients do more with their money. Whether it’s saving a little extra cash each month or accomplishing a long-term strategy, our goal is to help you transform your financial life. Call and schedule an appointment today, one of our team members would love to help you do more with your money at TS Bank. TS Bank has eight locations in central and southwest Iowa. For more information visit tsbank.com or call 844-487-3030. #igniteprosperity