Dream Blog
Read about Dream Tank news and recent events,
watch archived content, and more!
DREAM TANK AIRS ON KGNU ON FIRST DAY OF FUTURE OF BOULDER ACCELERATOR
On the first day of our last accelerator this past week, The Future of Boulder, KGNU radio aired an interview between Maeve Conran and Heidi Cuppari on the Morning Magazine.
The interview talks about the importance of imagination to solve the world’s problems, specifically the imagination of our kids.
Listen here.
Dream Tank Enables Kids’ and Teens Potential to Explode!
By Riley Grasso
“Kids see things in a different way. Take a look at the student climate strike that a 16-year-old girl in Sweden started. Greta Thunberg, who is currently on the cover of TIME magazine, started striking from school on Fridays last fall. She started a movement where 1263 strikes happened in 107 countries last Friday, May 24.” – Brad Feld, on his blog post about Dream Tank on May 28
If a sixteen year old girl in Sweden can amass such a following and inspire change like that, imagine what our own kids could inspire.
My name is Riley, and I’m 20 years old. Growing up, I was encouraged to pursue my passions, but I felt trapped in our current job system where I would go to school, pay ludicrous amounts of tuition, and then get stuck in a nine to five job for the rest of my life. I didn’t know how my passions could help me, or what pursuing them would really bring to the table.
I’ve joined Dream Tank’s team because I rarely see programs that empower young minds to this degree. They’ve given me hope as to how our younger generation’s passions are changing the world, and through this dream team, I can give others that same hope.
Our kids have unlimited potential that can often be overlooked by how older generations think. With that said, there is beauty in the unique way they think. Kids can see things that adults might have a harder time seeing. They have their own ideas and solutions to modern problems that our current world is facing. Kids’ ideas should be nurtured into something that can grow, something that can spread and make the world a better place. They are our future, and they should be able to shape that future. Dream Tank gives kids the tools to do just that.
Join us on this epic journey – sign your kids up today for one of our summer camps!
http://wearedreamtank.com/programs/summer-camps/
2019 Summer Camps
Summer Camps
Dream Tank Summer Camps 2019
Sustainable Food and Climate Action
June 17 – 21, 2019
Ages: 8-16
Time: M-F 9:00am-3:30pm
Location: Farmstand Cooperative @ Riverside
Price: $395
If you have a child that loves food, nature, and protecting our planet, this accelerator week is for them! Kids and teens will be invited to explore how their passion and interest can be turned into a business that addresses one of the Sustainable Development goals. We will be addressing SDG’S 3, 6, 7, 12 and 13. We will be hosted by the Riverside Farmstand, a new coop market in Boulder. The Farmstand will be proposing ‘food design challenges’ and iron-chef type games woven throughout the week. Mentors and experts in sustainable food, agriculture, and climate will also be present throughout the week.
Art & Technology
June 24 – 28, 2019
Ages: 11-19
Time: M-F 9:00am-3:30pm
Location: Kaleidoscope One @ Niche
Price: $395
If your child has a love for visual art, theater arts, music, film/photography, crafts, life hacks, and inventions, this accelerator is for them. They will learn how to take their love of art and make money selling products for a purpose. Never listen to Dream Crushers who tell you “you can’t make money being an artist” again! This is a special accelerator in partnership with Kaleidoscope, a new artist and tech collaborative in North Boulder. Mentors from Kaleidoscope and experts from the community will be present throughout the week. You’ll be making art and products to auction off at the pitch event and fundraiser at the end of the week.
The Future of Boulder + Blockchain, Gaming & Tech
August 5 – 9, 2019
Ages: 8-16
Time: M-F 9:00am-3:30pm
Location: The Museum of Boulder
Price: $395
If you see Boulder as a city of innovation, consciousness and open space, yet know there is still a way to go to truly become a city that has fully addressed poverty, diversity, sustainability, clean energy and more, this is a great accelerator to introduce that to your child. We will look at what a privilege it is living in a city this rich with resources, education, and access to tech, and come up with a business idea that helps Boulder solve the SDGs. We will apply the use of STEAM skills and tools, especially tech in all aspects, including gaming, blockchain, climate science, aerospace, and diversity/inclusion games, to come up with solutions. Includes help with individual projects and group design challenges presented by leaders in Boulder. Mentors and experts in sustainable development, software, gaming, aerospace, climate science, blockchain and more will be present throughout the week.
Be a group of mission-driven kids and teens who shows Boulder – and the world – how to redesign our city for the future.
We are partnering with the Museum of Boulder to provide an immersive, engaging experience that celebrates the spirit of Boulder.
Dream Tank Helps Sign The Bill To Legalize Minors’ Businesses
By Riley Grasso
On a hot summer day in May 2018, Jennifer Knowles was serving lemonade with her three little boys in Denver, when two police officers came to shut down their small stand after nearby vendors complained. Since the boys didn’t have the three permits required to sell lemonade, they were forced to shut down their small business. Jennifer and her boys decided to take action. However, Jennifer and her boys didn’t let that discourage them, they reached out to Senator Angela Williams, Senator Jack Tate, the Young Americans Center for Financial Education, and Dream Tank for support.
When Dream Tank says it wants to encourage young minds and entrepreneurs, they aren’t just empty words. Recently, we took action on a state-government level to help kids realize their dreams. Dream Tank CEO Heidi Cuppari, Fellow Jaden, and dream makers from the summer camp testified in front of the House and Senate committees to help pass the Bill to Legalized Minors’ Businesses in Colorado.
“Whether it be starting a lemonade stand, mowing the lawn, or shoveling snow, we need to be encouraging our kids’ creativity and entrepreneurial spirit – not discouraging it,” said Senator Williams. “I am proud to sponsor this bill, with bipartisan support, so that kids can innovate and let their creativity flow.” [https://senatedems.co/2019/02/11/legalizing-minors-businesses-bill-unanimously-passes-senate-business-labor-and-technology-committee/]
https://www.9news.com/video/news/local/next/bill-to-help-protect-lemonade-stands-signed-into-law-monday/73-60aac40c-6730-4973-b071-5181eb63cd7c?jwsource=cl&fbclid=IwAR1udx-BjOQKPx4zFxcKoChzD0jRifcmksLeb7oVuOUzHgE-DRJrVWxdfXs
The bill was unanimously passed through the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology committees. Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed the bill into law. Colorado is the second state in the country to legalize temporary minors’ businesses. With the bill now signed into law, kids can take their ideas for small businesses and practice them, giving them an earlier start to really pursue the things they want to do.
“Thrilled to sign the bipartisan Lemonade Stand Bill today that reduces regulations and cuts red tape, making it easier for young entrepreneurs to start their own businesses!” Polis tweeted. [https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2019-04-02/gov-polis-signs-bill-allowing-kids-to-operate-lemonade-stands-in-colorado]