[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/synergy-camp.jpg” caption=”Students in last year’s Synergy camp receive an introduction to the stock market in the Gould Trading Floor. File photo.”]When your teen comes to you asking for an advance on his allowance, do you wish he had a better understanding of budgeting? When he asks you for the latest video game, do you wish he was more critical of advertising? The DeGroote School of Busines at McMaster University can help.

Open to students in or entering high school, DeGroote's Synergy Business Camp will introduce teens to the exciting world of commerce and help them develop important skills that will help them throughout their lives.

During the week-long sessions, campers will become familiar with life skills such as financial planning, interpersonal communications, marketing, entrepreneurship, team work and public speaking. Students will be engaged in fun and challenging activities that will prepare them for success in their current high school program, and more importantly, develop business savvy for everyday life.

Students will learn how to be money smart and create wealth by trading at the Gould Trading Floor at the DeGroote School of Business. They will also learn how to turn their business ideas into reality and how to effectively market their products or services. Other exciting activities include a business trip to the GTA to meet the business movers and shakers these campers will one day replace.

RBC Royal Bank, Xerox and the Small Business Enterprise Centre of the City of Hamilton are among the organizations that have joined with DeGroote to administer this new program.

Synergy Business Camp sessions will be held throughout July and August at DeGroote.

For more information about the Synergy Business Camp, visit http://synergy.degroote.mcmaster.ca.