Sustainability the theme as Baldonnel Elementary hosts annual Entrepreneurial Fair

BALDONNEL, B.C. — Pint-sized entrepreneurial spirit engulfed Baldonnel Elementary School’s gymnasium this week, as the school hosted its young entrepreneurial fair.

Featuring students between grades 4 and 6, the fair has been running for the past three years. 

It began with grade 4 and 5 teacher Elaine McEachern, who was introduced to the PowerPlay young entrepreneur program begun by Langley’s Bill Roche.

The program showed children everything from marketing and loans to taxation rates for entrepreneurs.

“[The fair] is an opportunity for kids to make their own businesses, sell their own products, and learn about how to be a tradesperson or an entrepreneur,” said McEachern. “In Fort St John, we are so good at being tradespeople and entrepreneurs.”

“The quality of products just goes up and up and up. Every year, the kids are more and more excited. Our little kids are coming into grades 4, 5 and 6, they are excited, and they are planning already.”

Keeping up with modern times, this year’s theme focused on sustainability. Children were encouraged to reuse, refurbish, and re-fashion items into other things.

Students showcased everything from spruce trees and old toy cars to crafts from moose antlers in an effort to maintain sustainability.

In addition, students must contribute 10 per cent of their profits to a non-profit charity. McEachern told Energeticcity.ca one class raised $1,650 from the fair, of which $165 will be going to charity.

“We really challenged kids to bring down their operating costs by recycling, reusing, repairing, renewing and refurbishing,” said McEachern. “You will see kids that have candle holders made out of tin cans, antler-designed jewellery and stained glass made out of scraps from mom’s big stained glass, but the daughter is using the little bitty pieces to make cool little creations.”

“It is more of an eco-friendly young entrepreneur fair, and the kids just ran with that idea and made some really beautiful products.”

One student, Gavin Merrett, and his mom Jenn, crafted fusion beads from Gavin’s favourite video game characters, including ones from the Super Mario Brothers franchise.

Gavin told Energeticcity.ca he “had fun” creating the products.

“He wanted to do gaming merch,” said Jenn. “We had a lot of the products at home so essentially, it is sustainable.”

Additionally, Gavin’s booth – known as Gavin’s Gaming – and nine other students were given ‘People’s Choice Awards’ by attendees.

Their prize will be showcasing their products at Peace Gallery North throughout the remainder of May.

Baldonnel Elementary’s young entrepreneur fair took place on Tuesday, May 5th.