Ten years ago, Wichita received some unwelcome news: The city faced four large challenges. In addition to lagging business and entrepreneurship performance along with perception problems, The Chung Report noted the city’s difficulties in retaining young talent. As young people decided where to live, they often didn’t feel Wichita was a place where they could thrive economically and professionally. 

Camp Destination Innovation is one program that aims to help young people learn about the range of opportunities that are available in the Wichita area. The camp offers 25-40 students ages 13-17 a four-week day camp in June (sessions meet 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday) to learn about career pathways. The camp is focused on STEAM and entrepreneurship and includes sessions with speakers who talk about different careers, field trips, classes on how to start a business, plus a trade show at the end of the month at which students pitch their own business ideas and compete for cash prizes.

Marquetta Atkins-Woods founded Camp Destination Innovation and serves as the executive director of the nonprofit hub that grew from the camp’s success. Destination Innovation Inc. has expanded its reach by offering multiple programs and forging partnerships aimed at empowering youth, particularly those from underserved communities, with resources in entrepreneurship, leadership and civic engagement. The initiative emerged from Atkins-Woods’ recognition that many young people — especially youth of color — lacked access to opportunities for career exploration and entrepreneurial development.

“We want to try to make Wichita a place where people see themselves able to build a future,” Atkins-Woods said. 

To ensure accessibility, the organization keeps program fees minimal. Registration for the month-long camp is just $40. Sponsorships, donations and grants fund the majority of the programming. 

Opportunities, Mentors and More

Camp Destination Innovation works to equip participants with career skills through exposure to opportunities, mentors and investors as well as hands-on learning activities. The camp was the first youth nonprofit to visit the Cargill Innovation Lab in 2016, and the visits have continued. Campers become food scientists for a day, tour the facilities and learn the impact that food scientists have on studying, creating and developing innovative food products focused on science, sustainability, safety and nutrition that meet consumers’ expectations. Campers in 2024 also visited local businesses and heard from a host of business leaders and speakers. 

“The field trips give them a chance to see what a day in the life of different career paths is like, and it helps them get into the mindset and practice of different career pathways,” said Margi Ault-Duell, operations director at Destination Innovation Inc. 

Entrepreneurship learning modules help campers learn about writing a business plan, developing a target market, estimating costs and the process of finding investors. Even if they don’t choose to start their own business, students build knowledge, confidence and skills that prepare them to succeed in any career. The camp ends with a trade show at which all campers present business concepts. The trade show is open to the public, and this summer’s event is slated for June 28. 

The camp also connects participants to mentors and internships, either during or after high school. Making connections and developing interests has proven effective for camp alumni. Campers pay the experience forward, too: Two former campers facilitated a session at the Youth Day during Wichita Startup Week in fall 2024. 

“We have a lot of stories of camp alumni who have gone on to pursue interesting careers, both in Wichita and outside Wichita. We’ve also built a lot of entry points for young people into the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Wichita,” Ault-Dell said. 

Engaging in Entrepreneurship 

In addition to the entrepreneurship education provided at camp, Destination Innovation Inc. offers the Kansas Youth Virtual Entrepreneurship Challenge. Any K-12 Kansas student can enter by creating a pitch video for a business idea and submitting it online. Judges from around the state select the winners in Elementary, Middle School and High School divisions. Winners receive cash prizes. Registration opens September 1. 

According to Ault-Dell, a valuable aspect of this statewide competition is bringing together urban and rural Kansans. 

“We bring people from around the state together in the competition. That intermingling is beautiful to see,” she said. 

Destination Innovation Inc. also collaborates with Network Kansas to provide the Wichita Urban Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, an in-person competition, each year in March. The 2025 competition was the largest yet with 26 students. Winners go on to compete at the state level.

Atkins-Woods said reaching into the adult realm of entrepreneurship to provide education to youth that goes beyond the basics has been key to building successful programs in Wichita. 

“The positive effect we’ve had in Wichita grows from developing an ecosystem of competition, events, networking opportunities and connections to business leaders and paying attention to how we are creating opportunities for young people to plug into that network,” she said. 

How to Get Involved

Destination Innovation Inc. welcomes involvement and inquiries from students and adults. Explore their website to find more information about individual programs, or email Lovette Mba, Camp Destination program manager, at [email protected]. Bonus: Lovette is a camp alumna who attended the camp all through high school, graduated from college, and is now working for Destination Innovation Inc.

Adults who are looking to extend Destination Innovation Inc.’s positive impact are always needed to volunteer as judges, presenters or mentors. Reach out to help Wichita — and Kansas — youth explore career opportunities right here in our state. 

“Youth are change-makers, and we need them to transform our communities, both today and in the future. We are dedicated to giving youth the tools they need to succeed,” Atkins-Woods said.