Registration is Closed

Imagine what you could do. Imagine who you could be.

The James J. Hill Center believes in the intersection of education and entrepreneurship and assists youth in exploring it as a viable career, connecting them to new skills, business professionals and providing mentorship.

Idea Academy’s mission is to support the next generation of Original Thinkers by exposing them to new ideas, exploring new ways of thinking and encouraging them to dream big.

The program is designed to equip youth with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to thrive in today’s world by laying the groundwork for the development of hard and soft skills needed to succeed in business.

Idea Academy is open to students who want to explore, ideate and take risks.

Idea Academy: Grades 6 to 8
Are you a maker or a doer? Do you have great ideas? Come learn how to  discover solutions, build concepts and pitch creative solutions to real-life problems.
Age: Entering grades 6 to 8
Dates: Monday, June 17th to Friday, June 21, 2019
Time: 8:30AM – 4:00PM
Cost: $300 per student
Limited scholarships are available. The deadline to apply has expired.

If you have additional questions please email [email protected].

Additional Camp Details:
Curbside drop off and pickup (exception on day #1).
Camp t-shirt included in price of camp.
Field trips to nearby businesses.
Guest speakers from the startup and business community.
A finale pitch party & presentation for friends and family on the last day of camp.

Camp Instructors:

TRACY YANG
At 30 years old, Tracy Yang is a rising entrepreneur in the Twin Cities with already four businesses under her belt. She is owner of Train with Tracy, a health and wellness studio in South Minneapolis. She is the leader of ALL DAY, Minnesota’s first Funkstyles dance crew. She is CEO of Groove DogZ, an Asian-Fusion hot dog stand. Her latest endeavor: ALL DAY Studio – a dance studio located in the Creative Enterprise Zone in St. Paul that focuses on teaching urban street dance. Tracy desires to share her love for business and economics in hopes that it can help people make more informed financial decisions and inspire others to become entrepreneurs.

LINDSEY DYER
Lindsey Dyer is the Director of Library & Education at the James J. Hill Center. She has a MLIS from St. Catherine University and a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. In previous professional experience, Lindsey was both a Librarian and the Adult Services Coordinator with Dakota County Library where she was the project principal for a “Smart investing @ your library” grant awarded in collaboration with the American Library Association (ALA) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Dyer is the developer of Idea Academy educational camps and supports all function of the program.

Limited scholarships are available. Please CLICK HERE to fill in application. First consideration will go to those who apply by 4pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Applications received after April 30, 2019 will be considered based on enrollment and scholarship availability. If you have additional questions please email [email protected].

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING ORIGINAL THINKERS!

SOLD OUT

Take a journey back in time to 1921 and get an inside look at Mr. Hill’s most significant gift to the city of Saint Paul. Learn the stories, mysteries and intrigue behind the stone walls of the historic reference library and explore secret spots, glass catwalks and high up spaces.

This tour travels up stairs and into narrow corridors of the historic building, but it is fully accessible and may be adjusted for your comfort.

COST:
$8 for adults
$6 for children 5-17; free for under 5 years
$6 for seniors, military and students (with ID)
Hill Members are free email for reservations

REGISTER

$15 Non-Member | Hill Members are free email for reservations

Presenter: Ben Theis

In 2012, Ben Theis left the corporate world and rolled up his sleeves to get to work on his dream of going into business for himself. Ben founded Skol Marketing to help small businesses and nonprofits get found online. Ben earned a degree in Sports Marketing and Business from Minnesota State University, Mankato, possesses a love of small businesses, and has experience working directly for Google. Ben has combined his knowledge, experience, and passion to create Skol Marketing.

Marketing Mondays speaker series is the last Monday of every month from 8:30-10:00am. Fees are $15 per session (free for Hill Members). Please visit our calendar to register and get specific details on each session.