More than 1,100 Austin-area children have already signed up to participate in Lemonade Day on May 5, a free program aimed at teaching business skills, financial literacy and goal setting, said Morgan Briscoe, president of the West Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Lemonade Day began in Houston in 2007 as a way to teach children how to start, own and operate a business by selling lemonade and other goodies from their own stand. The program has expanded to 67 cities in 23 states and three countries.

On average, children could earn about $224 per stand and may keep any profits. Children may register to open a stand as an individual or a group, and after registration participants gain access to the Lemonopolis virtual tool.

Briscoe said the West Austin chamber is promoting the event because the group wanted to look for more opportunities to promote learning for children as part of a new initiative.

“We think that’s something that sets us apart from other chambers,” she said.

Using existing contacts, the chamber has been working since February to promote the event, including getting H-E-B as a sponsor as well as getting the city of Austin to waive any fees or permits that would have been required to open a lemonade stand, enabling children to open one almost anywhere May 5.

“We’ve worked hard to be able to welcome children, parents and organizations across Austin to register for this free, educational and fun event,” Briscoe said. “We look forward to working with all of our partner organizations to help our young entrepreneurial Austinites prepare for lemonade stand success on May 5 and beyond as our future business leaders.”

Two Lemonade Day University sessions are also being held April 29. Mentors will explain the program and help children set goals. The session at the Circle C Community Center, 7817 La Crosse Ave., Austin, starts at 9 a.m., and the session at Concordia University Texas, 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin, starts at 3 p.m.

Visit www.lemonadeday.org/Austin to find a map of area lemonade stands and other information.