ABOUT US

Camp Destination Innovation offers programs designed to expose marginalized youth ages 14-18 to careers outside of traditional norms with a target focus on entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship. Our programs include a six-week summer camp, our SATURDAY SOCIAL program and our RARE BIRD mentoring program.

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We also host the Wichita Urban Youth Entrepreneurship challenge.

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Camp Destination Innovation’s mission is to facilitate pathways for marginalized youth to achieve economic success as well as creating impactful and forward-thinking innovations in support of the Wichita community. According to the Chung Report, Wichita is challenged in maintaining human capital. Bright, young talent are leaving at alarming rates. Meanwhile, income inequality in Wichita continues to rise. Our programs aim to address these issues. Our summer camp is the only summer camp in Wichita that focuses solely on entrepreneurship and caters to a diverse, underserved demographic to create a more inclusive and producing economy. We had a 75% return rate on students from year 1 to year 2, so these young people are constantly building their knowledge and network.

SELECT POINTS OF PRIDE

  • Featured on National Small Business Association Twitter

  • Shark Tank and Trade Show Sponsored by Bank of America

  • 1st place team presented to Entrepreneurship Task Force

  • Featured at Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala and met with Daymond John

  • Launch of the Camp Destination Innovation-Accelerator

  • Mentor-led business competition

  • Educational Field Trips and Sessions

  • Winning team presented to the Entrepreneurship Task Force

  • And many more accomplishments!

MEET THE FOUNDER

MARQUETTA

ATKINS

Marquetta Atkins is a community educator who brings her passion for working with youth and her creative energy to the table as a facilitator. For years she has dedicated herself to ensuring that young people are equipped with the tools for a better future. She was born and raised in Wichita, KS and graduated with a degree in Communications from Wichita State University. Her persistence in reaching her educational goals equipped her to be a mentor for high school youth in Wichita, including her own children Devon a senior at WSU and Aimani an sophomore at Prairie View A & M University. 

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Marquetta’s passion for youth development is rooted in her conviction that youth are the change-makers we need for the transformation of our communities, both today and in the future.
In 2015, she founded Camp Destination Innovation to expose young people to a variety of career options; encouraging them to create their own future. The camp also helps youth explore strategies for entrepreneurship and civic engagement, grounding their professional development in a larger vision for whole and healthy communities.

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Striving to eliminate the barriers facing young people and women as entrepreneurs, Marquetta created Women Entrepreneurs of Kansas (WeKan!), an initiative to support the growth and power of women entrepreneurs. Marquetta’s talented facilitation challenges people to question their own assumptions and dig deeper into critical awareness. Marquetta is a member of the Entrepreneurship Task Force, the Evergreen Curriculum Committee, sits on the Juneteenth committee and serves on the Innovation Committee at Wichita State University.

 

Her awards include winning Best in Innovation by the Wichita Business Journal, Ron Walters Leadership Award by the Wichita branch NAACP and Civic Engagement Award from Wichita Urban Professionals. 

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She is also the Director of Communications and Youth Development  for the non-profit organization, The Seed House. Inspired by Maya Angelou, Marquetta seeks to challenge dominant narratives and create the kind of world she wants to live in.

  • Facebook - White Circle
  • LinkedIn - White Circle
  • Twitter - White Circle

Board of Directors

POLLY BASORE WENZL

Board President

Wichita State University

College of Engineering

SAWYER

HOBBS

Board Secretary

AZ Advisory

ulises gonzalez

Board Treasurer

W/

BRANDY

WILLETT

Board Member

Retreat to Joy

dr. michelle vann, DCC

Board Member

Vantastic Solutions

DAVID

FERGUSON

Board Member

Foreman Law

 
 

MEDIA

 

SPONSORS

Our youth are the Best investment we can make that yields the best returns- Camp Destination Innovation is proud to thank these past and present sponsors that have invested in the success of our program:

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A special thanks to the host of community members

who have invested in the camp.

 

Looking for sponsors

to help us fuel innovation

Sponsorship Options

We are pleased to present the following sponsorship levels for your consideration. Funds benefit scholarships to allow us to impact even more youth.

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Platinum “Business Magnate”

$5,000.00 - $10,000.00+

  • Embroidered logo on polos for student participants

  • Banners hung at location of camp 

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Gold “Angel Investor”

$2,500.00 - $5,000.00

  • Logo on all promotional materials – newsletters, brochures, flyers, graphics

  • Company logo featured on camp swag

  • Able to send company representatives to "Saturday School" hosted for continued education and learning

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Silver “Venture Capitalist”

$1,000.00 - $2,500.00

  • Logo added on website

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Bronze “Seed Money”

$500.00 - $1,000.00

  • Social Media recognition

 

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