The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - Every experience in life is an opportunity for learning, and that's the goal with Lemonade Day, said Dayton sixth-grade teacher Jeff McCann.

Friday, in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week and the launching of local entrepreneur-support program Start Up Columbia County, 26 Dayton sixth graders embarked on a journey of business-oriented learning that will conclude on May 2, 2015, with real lemonade stands constructed and operated in the community by the students.

"I think it is so good that these students are getting an idea of how to operate a business on a small scale," said Judi Brooks, manager of Washington Federal Bank in Dayton. "This is how every business owner should start out."

Brooks, who has volunteered to mentor a group of students as they make preparations for Lemonade Day, said she is impressed with the project-based learning program. The students will set goals, plan and budget, find an investor, select a site, advertise, build a stand, purchase supplies and make the lemonade, set up and finally run the business.

Adult mentors from the community will help the students along the way, and many local businesses are on board to assist as well - providing mentors, financing, and locations for lemonade stands.

Dayton businesses who have already committed to helping include: Croft's Floral & Gifts, Village Shoppes, Skyline Fluids,

Elk Drug, Banner Bank, Washington Federal Bank, Dayton Crossfit, Weinhard Hotel, Dingle's of Dayton, Blue Mountain Station, and State Farm Insurance.

McCann is continuing to locate sponsors and has spoken with the Best Western Hotel, PDQ, and the Dayton Mercantile.

The goals for students, in addition to learning valuable business skills, are to "spend, save, and share," said Christine Jarski, economic development coordi- nator with the Port of Columbia. At the end of Lemonade Day, students will use their proceeds to pay investors; the rest of the money they will divide up, donate a portion to charity and save a portion for themselves.

Other Entrepreneur Week activities around town were also successful, Jarski said. "A Cup of Joe," on Wednesday morning at Country Cupboard, drew a number of local entrepreneurs interested in the casual-style support group.

Joe Jacobs, with the Small Business Development Center in Walla Walla, was there to discuss technical support such as developing successful business loan packages and how to find help with software and online sales, for example.

Jarski said the Port plans to continue "A Cup of Joe" once a month at locations around town that will be announced later.

The Dayton Chamber of Commerce has also played a role in activities this week and will continue with local business support in and around the community. The Chamber has formed a Dayton Business Association as an extension of the already functioning Main Street Program, which will be more focused on downtown business development, Jarski said. Upcoming activities include ongoing programs in a Shop Local campaign.