SPARK - Business Academy (Grades K-5)
1 week sessions
9:00am - 12:00pm
SPARK Business Academy
SPARK campers spend each day highly engaged in hands-on activities and gamification techniques as they develop essential 21st century skills. In all programs, campers will develop financial skills along with soft skills in communication, collaboration and public speaking, all while becoming business savvy! Most programs culminate with a showcase event each Friday that allows campers to present and learn from their peers.
SPARK has been offering empowering youth programs on financial literacy and entrepreneurship since 2013. Our skills-based programs help campers develop essential life skills and have received glowing parent testimonials. SPARK's unique programs have been featured in Business Week, Bloomberg TV, Georgetown Business and international newspapers.
Dates, Hours, and Fees
| 2026 Dates | Program (Grades) | ||||
| June 22 - 26 | Money Math (K-3) | ||||
| July 6 - 10 | Chain Reaction Engineers (3-5) | ||||
| July 13 - July 17 | My First Lemonade Stand (K-3) | ||||
| July 20 - 24 | Young Debaters (3-5) | ||||
| July 27 - July 31 | Little Shoppers (K-3) | ||||
| Hours | |||||
| AM Only | 9:00am – 12:00pm | Fees | |||
| AM Only | $450 week | ||||
Weekly Themes/Programs:
Chain Reaction Engineers
Let's learn about Rube Goldberg machines! In this hands-on program, campers build a variety of complex contraptions to complete a simple task—such as ringing a bell—while learning the basic physics concepts of work, gravity, force and momentum. Using simple machines like levers, wedges, wheels, axles, pulleys and inclined planes, campers learn to understand mechanical concepts in a fun way, while using their imagination!
Money Math
Designed for our youngest campers, this program serves as a real-life math lab where campers practice their computational skills and develop a foundation in financial literacy.
Campers participate in money math games and activities that help them internalize how they can use their math skills in everyday life.
Little Shoppers
Do you like to shop till you drop? In this practical program, campers become savvy shoppers through games and hands-on projects. Experiential bartering and purchasing activities help campers internalize key concepts related to money choices, like needs versus wants. Campers analyze marketing power, put their cashier math skills to the test, and engage in dynamic marketplaces taking turns as buyers and sellers.
My First Lemonade Stand
Let's sell lemonade! Young campers become "lemonade entrepreneurs" and learn how to make yummy lemonade and earn money selling it! From designing marketing flyers to estimating profits to experimenting with recipes, campers have fun all week while developing business savvy. As an optional showcase event, campers launch the lemonade stand on Friday to raise money for a charity they select!
Young Debaters
Campers learn the art of persuasion and help select debate topics they find interesting. In a public forum debate format, campers work in groups and practice their debating skills in a supportive environment, including developing arguments, issuing rebuttals, providing examples, rebuilding their case and summarizing points of view. Campers learn to think on their feet and enhance their public-speaking skills, gaining self-confidence in the process.