Kidpreneurs program kick off coming to Logan March 29

Jared Luke from Juniper Systems teaches some home school students about programing. Aiyana Tsipai is keeping track of his lecture on her computer.

Sharilee Griffiths wants to reinvent the way kids in Cache Valley spend their summer vacations. The executive director of My Discovery Destination is a community activist trying to change the world, starting with giving kids and families opportunities to grow together.

Jonathan Powell works on a simple circuit board used as part of the programming class of home-schooled students learning about computer programming at Cache Makers at BTEC in Logan. Kidpreneurs will use the same space.

As part of this year’s My Discovery Destination Summer program, Griffiths is holding a Kidpreneur program. The kick-off meeting for kids, ages 8 to 18, will be on March 29 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Bridgerland Technical College West Campus, located 1410 N. 1000 W. room 1910.

Kidpreneurs introduces both kids and teens to the entrepreneurial world in a hands-on way.

Griffiths hopes to motivate kids to accomplish things they did not think they were capable of doing. The youth motivator wants kids to do activities that will keep their minds and bodies active during the summer months

I want to help kids realize they can do more than they think they can,” she said. “I want to help them realize there’s a world out there and it’s time they get out and experience it.”

“I’m trying to create opportunities for them to make products or services they can make into a business,” Griffiths said. “If they have a product, or are thinking about a product, we want them to learn what it takes to make money from their product.”

I just want the kids to start to understanding they can do what they love and make a living,” she said. “Or they can do something that goes along with what they love.”

In the beginning, Kidpreneurs was just to be a summer program, but Griffiths received requests to extend it throughout the year.

Amber O’Quinn, program coordinator for Cache Makers said they have cutting-edge facilities and are willing to support what Kidpreneurs are trying to do.

Cache Makers is a 4-H facility that has an area stocked with 3-D printers, a laser-cutter, soldering stations, 3-D modeling or CAD software, and a woodworking area.

“We are a space for innovation and experimenting for kids and adults,” O’Quinn said. “We have volunteers who are generally willing to donate their time and expertise to help kids.”

She said they could always use more volunteers.

This space in our community is the future,” O’Quinn said. “It will help people find jobs in technology and give people a place to experiment.”

Griffith is working with the Logan Downtown Alliance to hold a Kidpreneurs Expo to showcase products at some point during the summer.

Chayce Tueller and Elsie Jeppsen get a little hands on instruction from Jorden Luke, an employee of Juniper Systems. Luke is teaching the girls about programming at Cache Makers at BTEC. The Cache Makers will be the location of Kidpreneurs of My Discovery Destination.

During the month of April, My Discovery Destination will be building mini-model houses sponsored by area realtors and builders. The youth will be invited to draw up plans to their dream home.

In May, participants will present their home designs to others in the group. The group will select three mini homes to build.

During the rest of the summer, participants will build the homes to scale.

In September, the homes will be auctioned with the money going to Cache Makers.

“I am very excited about this! This adventure is a perfect example of the type of adventures My Discovery Destination is looking to provide,” Griffiths said. “This activity was designed to help kids build character and develop life skills that will serve them throughout their lives.”

For the first meeting, O’Quinn said it would be best enter on the northwest.

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2 Comments

  • Jorden Luke March 26, 2019 at 6:41 am Reply

    You spelled my name wrong it is Jorden not Jared. 🙂

    • Cache Valley Daily March 26, 2019 at 10:27 am Reply

      Thank you for reaching out! We’ve corrected the photo caption.

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