My Hood: Lemonade Day Detroit

What is more neighborly and fun than a classic lemonade stand? While fun may be the #1 priority for many kids, there are so many additional lessons children can take away from running their own stand: Money/budgeting problem solving, business skills, customer service, public relations/advertising and more.

Last year I wrote about Lemonade Day for the first time and I’m proud to say it’s back with some additional fabulous features. Here’s the scoop from the press release:

Lemonade Day Detroit launches its second year of teaching local children how to start, own and operate a business through the simple and time-honored act of running a lemonade stand. Lemonade Day Detroit will take place June 9, and the goal is to have 5,000 entrepreneurs hit the streets of Metro Detroit.

Children pre-K to grade 12 can register for their Lemonade Day backpacks, full of easy tips and suggestions that are age-appropriate for each group. Children and their caring adults can register online at detroit.lemonadeday.org, or register and pick up backpacks at our Lemonade Day Detroit Strategic Partners’ locations and at Art Van stores.

Detroit’s Ricardo Cummings, 13, was one of several children who worked the lemonade stand at the kickoff of the second annual Lemonade Day Detroit at Huntington Bank March 28.

“Lemonade Day’s mission is to arm our youth with tools that help them see that they can do whatever they want, and be successful,” said Mike Fezzey, president of Huntington National Bank’s East Michigan Region, Lemonade Day Detroit’s presenting sponsor. “Lemonade Day helps walk children and caring adults through every step of setting up a business, and they are also learning life skills. Everyone needs to learn to balance a budget; who knew it could be fun?”

More than 2,600 ‘business owners’ hit the streets of Metro Detroit last year, encouraged by strategic partners like ARISE Detroit! “Lemonade Day Detroit is a great opportunity to expand the horizons of young people and offer them something new. That’s what we’re all looking for,” said Luther Keith, executive director of ARISE Detroit! “I just encourage parents and teachers to participate and make June 9 a great day for Detroit.”

Karanja Famodou, 13, and Alia Cummings, 11, both of Detroit, worked with Lauren Brinker, 9, of Troy, to serve lemonade at the  kickoff of Lemonade Day Detroit at Huntington Bank March 28.

A new highlight for the 2012 program is the Lemonade Day Detroit Workshop. On April 28, 1-4 p.m., children and caring adults will be able to work with volunteers on building a booth, making a business plan, creating a theme and signage and trying out lemonade recipes. Second Ebenezer Church, 14601 Dequindre Rd., Detroit, is hosting the event. The activities and parking are free.

Lemonade Day is a part of Prepared 4 Life, a nonprofit that provides experiential programs infused with life skills, character education and entrepreneurship. Lemonade Day started in Houston in 2007 and has grown to a nationwide program. This year Lemonade Day will expand to 29 cities and more than 200,000 children.

To register, or learn about ways that everyone can get involved in Lemonade Day Detroit June 9, please visit detroit.lemonadeday.org.

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Doesn’t that sound like so much fun? I can’t wait until Little K is old enough for her very own lemonade stand!

You can also find Lemonade Day Detroit on Facebook here.

Lemonade Day is a national program with various participating cities. To determine if your city participates, check here.

Has your child ever run his/her own lemonade stand? If so, what was their experience like?