YIP Summer Bootcamp 2026 gave our young people one of those rare opportunities that only a true journey can offer. An initiative under LEAD Initiative, the Youth Impact Program (YIP) equips young people with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive in leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and sports. From July 27 to August 14, our students had the chance to learn something new, meet new people, and discover what they are capable of.

Meeting, Connecting, and Building Confidence

It all started with introductions: new faces, new conversations, new experiences. For some students, it was their first time meeting one another, but as the days went on, the room became less unknown. They began to connect, participate, and find their confidence.

Learning Entrepreneurship and Digital Skills

YIP was a space to learn practical skills, explore entrepreneurship, develop creativity, and begin to see what they could create. Through hands-on sessions covering everything from Canva design to website building, participants were encouraged to think, solve problems, work together, and turn their ideas into something tangible.

Fifteen Youth-Led Ventures

The heart of the YIP Summer Bootcamp was watching these ideas take shape. By the end of the three weeks, participants had built and pitched real businesses, each one solving a problem they cared about.

• Quick Blueprint (Toni, 17) — a platform that helps people turn their home design ideas into personalized concepts before meeting with a building professional.
• Speak & Belong (William, 12) — a bilingual platform helping newcomers to Canada practice everyday conversations and build the confidence to speak and find their place.
• RuReplay (Ruben Downie, 12) — turns parents’ phone clips of their kids’ sports moments into edited highlight reels with play-by-play commentary.
• Coheart (Rere) — connects families with affordable, reliable, and caring childcare, including babysitting, tutoring, and event childcare.
• Rooted by Lexxy (Lexxy, 15) — an AI-powered beauty coach helping young people, especially those with textured natural hair, understand and care for their hair and beauty needs.
• ChelVersa (Chelsea, 14) — helps teenagers understand their emotions, values, strengths, and identity through simple lessons and reflection.
• Pridun (Prince, 15) — makes sports recovery accessible and affordable for young athletes through rentable or purchasable recovery equipment, supplements, and wellness products.
• Kingdom K (Kelechi Nwosu, 13) — a YouTube channel creating classy, faith-rooted cartoon videos that teach morals and life lessons while entertaining kids and teens.
• ALVO (Jaslene, 11) — a brand selling t-shirts, phone cases, wristbands, and bracelets to spread awareness about bullying and kindness.
• Idaverse (Ida, 13) — an educational app helping kids age seven and up explore planets, continents, and countries through fun, interactive learning.
• Minty Frost (Isaiah, 12) — a youth-focused personal care brand built for active kids and teens who want to stay fresh and confident.
• Pattora (Bella, 12) — an AI-powered pet care business helping pet owners find the right fur-removal products for their home.
• Toyriot (Kamdirichi, 11) — a toy brand with Nerf guns, water blasters, and more, built to get kids moving, laughing, and playing together.
• Math Magic Lab (Sam, 11) — a gamified learning platform where kids level up, unlock pets, and earn rewards while improving their math and English skills.
• Kaysun Shield (Kaysun, 11) — a phone protection brand offering cases, screen protectors, and grips.

Pitch Showcase and Results

After weeks of building, the YIP Summer Bootcamp closed with a live pitch showcase, where each founder stood in front of judges and community members to confidently share what they had created. Judges praised the group’s creativity and problem-solving, noting that every idea was rooted in a real issue the students had seen in their own schools and lives. “I’m very, very much impressed by the creativity I see here,” one judge said. “The sky is the limit, so you’ve got to keep using your skills every day to grow.”

Three ventures were recognized on stage: Quick Blueprint took first place, Speak & Belong placed second, and Coheart placed third.

Game Day and Teamwork

Learning wasn’t confined to the classroom. Throughout the three weeks of the YIP Summer Bootcamp, there was time to play, laugh, compete, and connect, including a full game day that brought out another side of the students. The competition was friendly, the energy was high, and there was plenty of laughter, moments that built teamwork and resilience just as much as any lesson did.

Certificates, Celebration, and Closing

After weeks of learning, creating, playing, and growing together, the journey came to an end with certificates, photos, and goodbyes. The Youth Impact Program Summer Bootcamp may be over, but the confidence, skills, friendships, ideas, and experiences these young people gained will stay with them long after the final day. This was YIP Summer Bootcamp 2026, and it is only the beginning.

In Their Own Words

“It was so amazing, and Mrs. Udoka runs it. She’s a great teacher, and I give it a 10 out of 10,” said Ruben Downie, 12, founder of RuReplay. “It was an amazing experience learning how to do business, and I hope you come here. This is an amazing program to help you build your skills.”

Another participant admitted being skeptical going in. “I didn’t really want to at first; my mom just signed me up,” they said, “but it pushed me to think out of the box.” That same participant went on to place first in the pitch presentations, calling the result a complete surprise, especially as the oldest student in the room.

A third participant called the experience “absolutely amazing,” pointing to lessons in entrepreneurship, mindset, and how to use AI and build a website as the biggest takeaways. “The first few days might feel a little slow,” they said, “but if you apply yourself and put in as much effort as possible, you will gain the benefits.”

None of it happens without the mentors, volunteers, and community partners who show up for our young people. If this year’s bootcamp resonated with you, explore the Youth Impact Program or get in touch to see how you can get involved next summer.