Kindergarten through fifth grade students participating in UALR Children International‘s (CI) “Mind Your Own Business” Summer Camp sold their business products in the River Market Farmers Market this week.

The young entrepreneurs created the products during the day camp designed to create life skills, team work, leadership, and entrepreneurial and math skills. All proceeds benefited the Single Parent Scholarship of Pulaski County.

The sale culminates the month-long day camp held at Wakefield Elementary, during which 150 children created companies and developed products to sell. First graders sold hand-decorated coasters, second graders sold hand-painted place mats, third graders produced wire people cards, fourth graders sold are handmade wind chimes, and fifth graders offered clay-fired necklaces and pins.

The CI summer camp offers hands-on learning opportunities to keep children growing during the summer break. Its business focus involves lessons tied to the Arkansas Department of Education benchmarks in reading, math, and art. The business curriculum allows kindergarten through fifth grade students an opportunity to develop problem solving, creative, and critical thinking skills and encourages them to become active participants in the future of their success.

The camp is free, and more than 1,500 students are eligible to apply. Students are selected on a first come-first served basis. The camp operates from 7:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. for working parents.