Nebraska Youth Entrepreneurship Workshop Powered by Tanya Crawford, 4-H Educator and VentureLab Certified Educator
VentureLab |
October 22, 2025
The GetConnected 2025 Nebraska Afterschool Conference gathered afterschool and summer learning professionals from across the state for a full day of professional development and inspiration. The annual conference is a partnership between Nebraska’s Department of Education 21st CCLC program, Beyond School Bells Afterschool Network, and 4-H Nebraska. Held on September 26, 2025, at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney, Nebraska, the event brought together out-of-school time (OST) program leaders, staff, teachers, administrators, and community partners to explore new approaches to planning and implementing high-quality programs for youth development.
This year, 4-H Extension Educator and VentureLab Certified Educator Tanya Crawford led a dedicated entrepreneurship learning workshop at the conference, engaging afterschool educators with practical strategies and hands-on activities.
A Workshop That Brings Purposeful Play and Fun
Tanya presented her educator training workshop “Play, Make, and Take 13 Activities: Grow an Entrepreneurial Mindset in 30 Minutes or Less.” Participants laughed, played, and reflected as they explored how quick, engaging entrepreneurship activities can build key mindset skills like empathy, resiliency, confidence, and courage. The hands-on activities format made it easy for educators to experience each activity and see how to apply it in their own programs.
Participants selected from 13 activities, collaborated in groups, and reflected on the entrepreneurial skills they used, such as problem-solving and creativity. Each received free access to activity guides and support resources, along with a follow-up technical assistance call to aid implementation.
Celebrating Professional And Personal Growth
Tanya has long been dedicated to helping youth and educators unlock their potential through entrepreneurial learning. As a 4-H Extension Educator and VentureLab Certified Educator, she empowers others to see entrepreneurship as a mindset that fosters creativity, problem-solving, and confidence. Leading this dynamic workshop adds to Tanya’s long list of contributions to the youth entrepreneurship movement in Nebraska. Read more about Tanya’s accomplishments in our blog Empowering Others Through Entrepreneurial Learning: Meet Tanya, a VentureLab Certified Educator in Nebraska.
Feedback from participants showed high enthusiasm for Tanya’s workshop. Attendees appreciated the hands-on approach, ready-to-use resources, and practical strategies they could implement immediately in their afterschool settings.
Looking Ahead to GetConnected 2026
Mark your calendars for GetConnected 2026! Attendees can look forward to a day filled with professional development, networking, and inspiration that supports high-quality afterschool and summer programs for youth across Nebraska.
Mark your calendars for GetConnected 2026! Attendees can look forward to a day filled with professional development, networking, and inspiration that supports high-quality afterschool and summer programs for youth across Nebraska.
