Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions that may help you understand the International Towne program better.
Do you provide training sessions to familiarize teachers with the International Towne curriculum?
Teacher orientation and refresher sessions are offered July through April to provide critical information about International Towne program mechanics and the classroom materials.
- A 5-hour Teacher Orientation is required for all teachers who have not previously taught the International Towne curriculum.
- A 1-hour Refresher Video is recommended for teachers who have participated previously in International Towne.
Plan to attend an orientation or refresher session at least 2 months prior to your Towne date. To review orientation dates click here. Once a date has been decided on, contact the Director, Programs Registration at 303-321-2256 to reserve your spot.
How can parents and other adult volunteers get involved?
Volunteers are invited to assist students the day they attend International Towne and we recommend there be one adult for each of the 16 countries. We strongly recommend that volunteers for the field trip attend an orientation session to learn about the International Towne program and their specific volunteer roles and responsibilities. Please click here to view the Volunteer Orientation dates. If volunteers are unable to attend an orientation session, they will need to be provided with a copy of the Volunteer Orientation Packet (included in your classroom materials). They can also help with lessons such as position assignments and country meetings as you prepare your students to come to International Towne.
Can I come to visit the International Towne facility before reserving a date or before our school's scheduled date?
YES! Contact the Director, Programs Registration at 303-321-2256 for information on scheduling a visit.
How long do I need to spend teaching the lessons in the classroom?
The International Towne curriculum includes 20 lessons grouped into 4 chapters: Interdependence, Supply and Demand, Navigating Different Cultures, and Country Preparation/Closing Activities.
- Most lessons can be taught during a 40-minute class period.
- The trip to International Towne is a 4-hour field trip activity.
- The some take place back at school.
- The number of days needed to prepare depends on the number of lessons taught each day.
- Integrating the lessons into your school’s curriculum and dividing the lessons into subjects to be taught by each subject area teacher helps alleviate the complete responsibility from any one teacher. This technique makes it possible to include all members of the teaching team in the International Towne experience.
How much is the program fee and how will I be billed?
A fee of $20 is charged for each student participating in International Towne. The student fee includes International Towne curriculum, classroom materials, teacher orientation and other supplies necessary to operate the countries in International Towne. Your school will only be billed for tuition based on the actual number of students participating on the day of your excursion. The balance of tuition is due and payable within sixty (60) days after your scheduled date. If other payment arrangements are necessary, they can be made prior to receiving program materials.
What are the minimum and maximum number of students needed to participate?
To ensure the best possible experience for your students, a minimum of 60 participants is needed. Groups with less than 60 students will need to bring another class from their school or pair with a school nearby. If you have questions about pairing with another school, please contact the Director, Programs Registration at 303-321-2265. We also can support a maximum of 120 students in our facility. If your group has more than 120 participants, we strongly suggest you divide up the group and bring them on two separate dates.
We are not part of a public school. Can we participate?
Absolutely! It is not necessary to be involved in the public school system to attend International Towne. We have many private schools, home school groups and parochial schools that currently attend the program. Contact us for ideas on how to make this program work for your group’s needs.
What are the main concepts of the International Towne curriculum?
The 4 main concepts of the International Towne curriculum are Competition through Coooperation, Currency Exchange, Cultural Awareness, and World Citizenship.
- Chapter 1: Interdependence, students are exposed to the basic concepts of interdependence, international trade, ecological sustainability and the advantages and disadvantages of free trade and protectionist policies.
- Chapter 2: Supply and Demand, students learn about the basics of supply and demand, scarcity, specialization and how to price products to maximize profits
- Chapter 3: Navigating Different Cultures,students discover the different business practices used around the world, how to greet people correctly from different cultures, learn the currency exchange rates they will use in International Towne, and begin to think about how they would make the world a better place, interest rates, philanthropy, the costs and benefits of credit cards, and what it is like to be a financier.
- Chapter 4: Day of Towne Preparation and Closing Activities,provides teachers a template to teach students how to interview for employment, place students in their countries and positions, get students organized and prepared for their field trip to International Towne and provides lessons conducted back at school to include a Citizen of the Day Award, determining balance of payments, and program evaluations.
What can we expect on the day of our visit?
Students arrive at International Towne and change from students of economics to citizens of the world. Read more about what takes place during a Day in International Towne.
What are the hours of International Towne and how long can we expect to be there?
International Towne operates between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. with students needing to spend 4 complete hours at the town site.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Notification must be made in writing to Young Americans Center for Financial Education and must be received at least sixty (60) days prior to your scheduled Towne date. If notification is not received, or if teachers have already received classroom materials, a cancellation fee of $250 will be charged. If your session date is cancelled by Young Americans Center for Financial Education, any monies paid to us will be refunded. Contact Jeremy Ollie for all cancellations: jollie@yacenter.org.
Do we need to pay a deposit?
A deposit of $250 is due prior to teacher orientation or the day classroom materials are received. The deposited amount is subtracted from the total invoice and is required to help cover the costs of materials. Deposit payments can be made online.
How far in advance do I need to provide complete school information, such as number of students attending and teachers attending orientation?
Complete school information should be provided as soon as possible. Teachers planning to attend an orientation session should reserve a spot no later than 2 weeks prior to that orientation date. Additionally, teachers should be able to provide an approximate number of participating students at the time of orientation scheduling.
