Registration is now open for LAB Week, Northwood University’s immersive free-enterprise summer camp designed to give high school students a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create, launch, and grow a business, June 14-19, on Northwood’s scenic Midland campus.
LAB Week offers students a rare opportunity to step onto a university campus and experience entrepreneurship the Northwood way — by learning through doing. Throughout the week, participants collaborate with peers, learn directly from entrepreneurs, and tackle a real-world business challenge rooted in free-enterprise principles.
A scholarship application for LAB Week is also now live, making the experience accessible to even more motivated students.
“LAB Week is not a traditional summer camp — it’s a launchpad,” said Patrick McElgunn, director of LAB Week at Northwood University. “Students don’t just learn about entrepreneurship in a classroom setting. They’re challenged to think critically, work as a team, and apply what they’re learning to a real business concept, just like entrepreneurs do every day.”
Last year’s LAB Week featured a highly successful Food Truck Challenge, where students designed and pitched their own food truck concepts while learning how businesses differentiate themselves through branding, customer experience, pricing, and location strategy. The experience was brought to life even further by hosting a different food truck on campus each day for lunch.
“Students weren’t just imagining what it’s like to run a business — they were learning directly from business owners,” McElgunn said. “They asked questions, toured food trucks, and heard firsthand what it takes to turn an idea into a profitable venture.”
Building on that momentum, LAB Week 2026 will once again feature a signature theme-based challenge, designed to push students to think creatively, solve problems, and stand out in a competitive marketplace. Details on this year’s challenge will be announced closer to the start of camp.
LAB Week is ideal for high school students who are curious, creative, and interested in business, leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship — whether they already have a business idea or are just beginning to explore what’s possible.
“Parents often tell us they’re looking for experiences that go beyond résumé builders,” McElgunn added. “LAB Week gives students confidence, perspective, and a taste of what they’re capable of — all while having fun and building friendships.”
More information about LAB Week, scholarship opportunities, and registration details can be found at https://www.northwood.edu/lab/.
