Oxford’s Summer Baking Camp Inspires Young Entrepreneurs
Oxford’s very own Just Cake It! Bakery, run by the venerable Crystal Dunn, has begun hosting a unique community service – a baking camp tailored for the youth, cleverly named, “In the Mix”. The camp is being held twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the summer, and aims to instill in its young attendees a plethora of useful skills, ranging from culinary techniques to entrepreneurial ideas.
Nurturing Entrepreneurs
The baking camp recently hosted a group from Como’s E.D.U.C.A.T.E Inc., a non-profit organisation founded by Representative Lataisha Jackson. The program offered a blend of practical baking experience and formal education, providing the attendees with lessons in reading, comprehension, and mathematics, along with hands-on experience in the kitchen. “On Monday they were in the kitchen, in the mix and just doing a lot of hands-on work. On Thursday, they came back and to finish decorating their cakes,” explained Dunn.
More than Just Baking
While the primary focus of the camp is teaching the attendees how to bake, ice, package and deliver their cakes, there is a deeper, underlying purpose to the program. Dunn’s vision for these baking camps extends far beyond culinary education. She aims to expose these young learners to the possibilities of entrepreneurship and unconventional career paths that they might not usually consider. “That’s the main focus, to expose children to some different entrepreneurial skills and a different career path that people typically see as a hobby but it can be something more,” Dunn pointed out.
Familiar Roots
Hosting the group from E.D.U.C.A.T.E held a special significance to both Dunn and Lataisha Jackson, both natives of North Panola County. This shared origin led to their collaboration last summer, a partnership focusing on providing greater access to various occupational opportunities to the disadvantaged youth of their native county.
The Promise of More to Come
As the summer progresses, Dunn plans on broadening the reach of these baking camps. Not content with restricting them to just the children of E.D.U.C.A.T.E, she wishes to extend the opportunity to other children in the area as well. The schedule for the upcoming camps will be announced soon, on the company’s official website, www.justcakeit.net.
This is a shining example of the role that small businesses play in supporting their communities. Not only are they providing invaluable services and creating jobs, but they’re also fostering a sense of community and creating meaningful opportunities for the youth. With its focus on nurturing young entrepreneurs, Just Cake It!’s baking camp is a welcome addition to Oxford’s summer scene.
