Entrepreneurial spirit among Bermudian teenagers will be nurtured at Bermuda College over the next two weeks during BizCamp.

The camp, spearheaded by the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative of Bermuda (YEIB), and backed up with financial support from Government and a host of international companies, will target youngsters aged between 13 and 18.

The first week-long camp started yesterday and there are still places available for the second week, which starts next Monday. Those wishing to apply should go to www.gov.bm and follow the BizCamp link.

Participants spend an intensive 45-hour week composing business plans for companies they would like to launch. There is no fee to attend BizCamp and lunch is provided each day.

As they learn, from experts in the business community, how a company is created, funded and run, students will have the opportunity to write their own business plan. There will be prizes for the best business plan written at the end of each camp, including a cell phone from CellularOne.

Joe Mahoney, director of the Institute for Youth Enterprise in Boston is running the camps. Mr. Mahoney is a consultant for the YEIB, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to foster the development of an entrepreneurial spirit among the youth of Bermuda.

Environment, Telecommunications and E-commerce Minister Neletha Butterfield described the camp as "an excellent opportunity" for youngsters and added: "Students are given the opportunity to experience an innovative business curriculum that focuses on entrepreneurship, technology and e-business."

The Ministry is a sponsor of the camp, along with the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, XL Foundation, TeleBermuda International, Catlin Bermuda, PartnerRe, RenRe, Butterfield Bank, and other local businesses.

Bank of Bermuda Foundation spokesperson, David Lang, said: "The Foundation takes a deep interest in the development of Bermuda's young people, who will be the drivers of Bermuda's success in the years to come. The BizCamps are a great way to give practical encouragement to future Bermudian entrepreneurs and we are very proud to be able to support them."