My daughter when she turned 16 wanted a Summer Job, rather than doing the waitress thing, I encouraged her to go to a local accountant/lawyer/doctor to get some office experience. She ended up with a local accountant for two Summers. Then he closed his practice to join KPMG in Los Angeles. He brought her in as a Summer after her Senior year in HS. KPMG resisted but let him hire her, normally they only hired Summer interns (paid) who were Juniors or Seniors in College.

Her work was so good, that she worked for them through college in the Summer and offered her a full time position two years before she graduated from UC Santa Barbara.

She ended up marrying a Partner who makes seven figures and they have two little kids.

Cliff,

You are a pretty level headed guy, so be yourself, they will enjoy that. This is a pretty big influence on some young people and many of them don't have that push from their families or friends. Remember, they are still kids. I use to be a high school shop teacher and was pushing kids to go after intern types jobs. Don't burn em' out the first week, you and them will be fine. They love to hear about you, your company and how you got started in this mess. You are fun and they will enjoy it.

One more thing they are doing this for free, which sucks so don't push them too much. For many, its their last summer before they go off to college.