Skip To Content
Carleton Place High School Students Launch Merch-Making Company: Bear Necessities
Carleton Place High School Students Launch Merch-Making Company: Bear Necessities
Posted on 04/14/2023

April 14, 2023 Students at Carleton Place High School (CPHS) are excited to launch the school’s new "Bear Necessities" business venture, an initiative that will allow students to design and sell school clothing and accessories, as well as support its first client -- Sweet Sanctuary Animal Rescue.  

The initiative was born by a small group of students who wanted to have more involvement in the creative design process of school clothing and at a lower price. Yesterday (April 13), students were surprised with a cheque for $20,000. The funds are from the Ministry of Education Entrepreneurial Pilot Projects fund ($10,000) and the Upper Canada District School Board ($10,000).  

The students involved with the project are eager to promote the Sweet Sanctuary Animal Rescue, a not-for-profit organization that provides life-long sanctuary to surrendered farm animals, through branded accessories and promotional items. Profits from the sale of the items will be used to support and care for animals at the sanctuary and to create a sustainable business at CPHS.

“The project is a cool real-world learning opportunity and a chance to work in our community. It’s also pretty cool that I can bring something home and show my mom,” said Grade 11 student Nathan Cutts, who was one of the three students to start the initiative.

The Bear Necessities business is already involving multiple classes this semester, including Communications Technology, English, Business, Construction Technology, and French. The recent purchase of a dye sublimation system (dye printer and heat presses), a computerized embroidery machine, and supplies will enhance the school's Communications Technology curriculum and provide valuable entrepreneurship experiences. "This project will give us an opportunity to work with community partners in hands-on learning experiences and enhance our existing future connections with these external groups in our area, as well as allow for collaboration with other subjects and extra-within our school," explains CPHS Principal Casey Nelson.

As much as the animal sanctuary will benefit from the support of the Bear Necessities project, students will also get valuable real-world experience working with the group. The owners of the animal sanctuary have graphic design and engineering backgrounds, and their accountant plans to discuss HST and charity rules for selling merchandise with students.

"We are excited to expand this project and have many ideas for how we can involve other classes, such as the construction class supporting the building of much-needed shelters, or the Art class designing for the sanctuary and/or school swag," added Principal Nelson.  

For media inquiries, please contact:  

Casey Nelson  Principal   Carleton Place High School   [email protected]  613-257-2720 

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.