BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — We all know that summer is the harbinger of one trope that’s stood the test of time: kids selling lemonade at makeshift stands.

But the days of selling a cup of lemonade for a quarter are long behind us. Now, lemonade stands are more than a way to make a quick buck for some summer cash. It’s a way for kids to learn business and entrepreneurship skills through Lemonade Day. And it’s kick-off is on Wednesday!

Lemonade Day was originally launched in 2007 by Michael Holthouse in Houston, Texas, and has since grown to serve one million kids throughout the nation, including North Dakota.

Lemonade Day is a national campaign that helps budding entrepreneurs polish skills in finance, philanthropy, communication, and more. Children from kindergarten to middle school are given a mentor, business kit, and mentor program booklet to learn how to run their own lemonade stand for Lemonade Day on July 20.

The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC is responsible for running Lemonade Day in the surrounding area through its outreach programs like Wednesday’s kick-start event at the Dakota Zoo.

Propping up their own lemon-shaped stand, they are encouraging children to “squeeze” the day and sign up for Lemonade Day.

If kids sign up, they’re given a bag filled with all the tools they need to start their own stand and use the money they make responsibly, such as donating to charity or saving the money for later.

These outreach programs seem to be working with the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC’s event coordinator, Tatelyn Houle, noting that compared to the 800 that signed up last year, they will have around 1,000 for 2024.

In this way, Houle believes the seeds of entrepreneurial spirit will be planted throughout the area, creating the future business leaders of North Dakota.

“So, this program is important,” said Houle, “because we’re learning how to build new business leaders in Bismarck-Mandan. We’re getting kids interested in what entrepreneurship is at an early age, and they can learn this through running their Lemonade Day stand.”

So make sure that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade for Lemonade Day!

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