On Sunday, the program hosted its Wacky Olympic Picnic, a team building marathon of events that included the groups competing to see who could build the fastest human pyramid and other team building events.

“By having a fun event like this, they are able to let down their guard and be able to connect with students in a fun environment,” King said.

But the program isn’t all fun and games.

The 54 students attending the camp split into eight teams and were assigned a Fortune 500 company and will give a seven-minute presentation at the end of the week.

Representatives from the companies, which include Comerica Bank, Chrysler LLC and General Electric Co. this year, come in to work with the students on their projects and answer any questions they might have. All of the projects involve a different professional development topic, such as transitioning to the professional world and working in teams, and the students research how their company implements each strategy.

Sean Darin, a finance freshman, said he was using the experience as a networking opportunity.

“It seemed like a good chance to meet several business students the same age,” said Darin, who is working with Eaton Corp. this week. “I’m looking forward to working with the representative from the company and just working on the project. It seems like a great learning experience.”

Now in its 18th year, the program has grown immensely, said Ernest Betts, assistant dean of multicultural business programs.

“We have a lot of people coming back that were SBI participants, that are now directors, managers, vice presidents of different organizations,” Betts said. “So they get a chance to see their foundations they’ve laid. It’s come a long way in 18 years. And they know recognizing the talent in themselves, the talent that is here.”

Finance senior Jasmin Jaffer-Jones said her experience at the camp was crucial in helping her get used to college life.

“I was a camper and it was one of the best things. It shaped my college career,” said Jaffer-Jones, who is working her second year as a counselor in the program.

“Just for the simple fact of the networking with the business college, the companies, the different people. All of these people, they’re all in your class, so you know 16 incoming freshmen when you’re coming into college. There’s a support group here in the business college, it helped me get internships and jobs, just exposure. Not to mention the leadership skills and the friendships you make.”