THE CROSSING WEEKLY

Emily Shattuck, a member of The Crossing Life Church, and Dreamers’ Ranch Program Director recently gave us the lowdown on The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) – a program for early adolescents that meets two Saturday mornings a month. The impact of this program has been successful over the years is continuing to grow.

When did YEP start?

We started YEP in 2017, but we originally called it Dreamers’ Ranch. As our mission and program ideas developed, it evolved. Young Entrepreneurs Program was born out the need for young people to build entrepreneurial skills and how those valuable skills were transferrable to all areas of life. 

How many students do you have?

Any given session will have anywhere from 10 to 30 students registered. The Crossing Life Church’s Redemption Room becomes the “Learning Lab” for all the Dreamers’ Ranch Programs. The kids get to do all kinds of experiential learning starting in September through May or June.

Are there different learning levels?

Yes. We open it up from age 10-14, but sometimes we have some 9-year-olds too. As they get older, usually around 12, or depending on their developmental skills and abilities, they start assisting the mentors. We have two awesome assistant mentors that take on a lot of responsibility and really help us out.

How many mentors do you have?

We have twelve mentors. Some mentors serve as acting counselors, leading the kids through the projects. Some mentors serve as project leaders, planning and facilitating the projects. Everyone functions in their niche. We recently built the bunny hutches in the barn as a project.

What are some of the skillsets that the kids learn?

Some of the skillsets are communication, collaboration through games, problem solving through brainstorming, and improv- building off one another. The kids love it!

Do you have any testimonies you could share?

We’ve had some kids say “this is my happy place, I love Dreamers Ranch!” Some of the kids will even skip other activities to be here on Saturday’s. They want to work at the camps, and they want to work here on the farm someday. 

One of our students started her own business after going through the program. She takes pride in calling herself an entrepreneur. She was motivated by working with our bunnies wanted to buy her own, so made her own Claymation toys and sold them online. She earned enough to sustain owning two bunnies herself! She also helped build the rabbit hutches here, so she convinced her parents she was capable of building one for her rabbits as well- and she did! That’s a favorite testimony of ours!

What’s the most encouraging experience you’ve had?

The leadership training material that we’ve created for our mentors and the curriculum for our students have had a ripple effect reaching into other ministries. You’ll hear language that we’re using at Dreamers’ Ranch or YEP being used across our church community. Other people using our resources and applying them in other places really fulfills me. Seeing our impact grow out of one program, witnessing the kids start their own businesses, hearing them say they want to come back every weekend, and making gospel ties to what they are learning, is so powerful.

Why is entrpreneurship so important to teach kids?

Today, entrepreneurship is a hot topic – and it’s still being researched – but the consensus is that the skills required to start a business are transferrable to everyday life. Taking risks, ownership, initiating, follow-through, growing something, thinking futuristically, using what you have, and being resourceful – all these various business skillsets help them in all areas of their life.  We provide them an avenue to learn to how make things better, and even how to make a profit doing it. The world around us is changing at a fast pace, it is so valuable for them to have the skillsets and the knowledge to pivot, be flexible, and adaptable so they can be successful in whatever they decide to pursue.

How inspiring! Let’s keep motivating the next generation to reach higher and go after the dreams in their hearts!