Campers in Running Your Own Business camp enjoyed an extra treat on their final day of camp last Friday: a visit from 106.7 The Bull’s Chelsea Thomas! Running Your Own Business summer camp teaches the basics of business to third and fourth grade students. Campers learn about marketing and pricing, they learn how to create a business budget, they manufacture products, and they develop a business name and slogan. At the end of the week, campers sell their products in a Mini-Marketplace that’s open to family, friends, and special guests like DJ Chelsea. Owning your own business, even if it’s just for a week, teaches a lot. Cadence, Grace, and Zoe teamed up for “Me, Myself, and I Designs”, and because they didn’t know each other before camp began, they had to learn to work as a team. “That was one of the hardest parts,” said Grace. Cadence chimed in, “But when we finally learned how to work together, it worked really well!” Across the room at a business called “MIP,” co-owner Carson attributed their business success to using product labels. Each product had a description and price, which Carson thought helped customers know what they could buy. “I think it was a really good idea,” he said. CHELSEA PURCHASED PRODUCTS FROM SUMMER CAMP BUSINESSES. DJ Chelsea stopped by the Mini-Marketplace to shop and to see the campers in action. She was impressed with their business savvy, particularly their marketing skills which definitely have a real-world application. “You can tell these kids have learned a lot,” said Chelsea. “I ended up buying two friendship bracelets instead of one because they convinced me that it was such a good deal!” iHeart Media is the parent company behind 106.7 The Bull, which joined Young Americans Center for Financial Education as a proud partner in 2018. This partnership aligns with iHeart’s broader goal to “inform, inspire and support neighborhoods across the U.S.” By supporting hands-on financial education programs like Running Your Own Business summer camp and Young AmeriTowne, where students can have a career for a day in the iHeart Media Radio Station, iHeart Media is helping to educate a generation of young people about how to successfully navigate their finances. And in the words of camper Claire, “You can learn about finance in a really fun way!”

Sponsor Spotlight: iHeart Media provides hands-on, real world experiences

Janet Redwine Classes + Camps, Get Involved Leave a Comment

Campers in Running Your Own Business camp enjoyed an extra treat on their final day of camp last Friday: a visit from 106.7 The Bull’s Chelsea Thomas! Running Your Own Business summer camp teaches the basics of business to third and fourth grade students. Campers learn about marketing and pricing, they learn how to create a business budget, they manufacture products, …

Students stand together in front of Town Hall talking together

Tales from Towne: On the Road at Moorhead

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Young AmeriTowne On the Road staff just returned from two fun-filled weeks of summer camp at Moorhead Recreation Center in Aurora.  In total, 46 students participated in two different camps, Young AmeriTowne and Junior Money Matters, experiencing a hands-on lesson in financial education.  And even more important, students gained confidence and education that will carry over into other aspects of …

Students and bus at Young Americans Center

Sponsor Spotlight: Hands-on learning in the heart of Cherry Creek, thanks to Cherry Creek Shopping Center

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Hundreds of students gain a hands-on lesson in financial education at Young Americans Center for Financial Education every year.  With its headquarters in Cherry Creek, we shine a spotlight on long-time supporter Cherry Creek Shopping Center which has made this learning possible for the last decade. Students, teachers, and parents appreciate the value of the educational programs at Young Americans …

Young AmeriTowne Ballot Box Photo

Tales from Towne: Real Election Experience

Janet Redwine Classes + Camps, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

“Our vote is our voice.  Our vote is our choice.” –Caroline Bennet, daughter of Senator Michael Bennet There are two elected positions in Young AmeriTowne: Mayor and Judge.  And for campers participating in Young AmeriTowne 2 summer camp last week, the election of these two students provided real-world experience in elections, campaigning, and politics. By Wednesday, students had already participated …

Two students stand together at the Young AmeriTowne Bank

Sponsor Spotlight: Children learn-by-doing thanks to the Madge M. and Joseph T. Mohar Charitable Foundation

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Young AmeriTowne is exciting and memorable for adults and kids alike.  That’s how a partnership began between Young Americans Center for Financial Education and Madge M. and Joseph T. Mohar Charitable Foundation, which has supported hands-on financial education for the last decade. Mr. and Mrs. Mohar both had a strong work ethic and they valued financial education.  The couple worked …

University of Denver College Hat on Stand in front of Young AmeriTowne College

Sponsor Spotlight: DU helps answer, “What should I be when I grow up?”

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An important aspect of the Young AmeriTowne program is providing career exploration opportunities for elementary students.  Thanks to the University of Denver, fourth and fifth grade students can do this for free in the AmeriTowne College shop! Connor*, age 10, was a Career Counselor at the Young AmeriTowne College when Willow Creek Elementary ran the Towne this past spring.  His …

Girl puts cash in Young AmeriTowne donation bin

Schlessman Family Foundation Creates a Culture of Giving in Young AmeriTowne

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Students from Willow Creek Elementary spent their second-to-last day of fifth grade at an exciting place: Young AmeriTowne!  This experience was even more memorable due to a special philanthropy presentation that included local nonprofits, all thanks to support from Schlessman Family Foundation. Young Americans first collaborated with Schlessman Family Foundation in 2000 to create a philanthropy lesson for Young AmeriTowne.  …

Many students in International Towne exchange checks

Sponsor Spotlight: Aegon Transamerica Foundation Prepares Today’s Youth

Janet Redwine Get Involved, International Towne, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

A recent report by the Federal Reserve Board finds that four in 10 American families are financially fragile: unable to meet a $400 emergency without going into debt. But there is hope!  Researchers studying financial fragility demonstrate that financial literacy “reduces the likelihood of being financially fragile by more than six percentage points…above and beyond the effects of educational achievement.” …

Colorado Public Radio T-Shirts on Table

Sponsor Spotlight: The AmeriTowne Radio Station delivers real-world skills, thanks to Colorado Public Radio

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

One goal of the Young AmeriTowne program is to help students prepare to be successful adults.  At AmeriTowne in Denver, students learn what holding a job is like in the Colorado Public Radio Station.  And they have a blast in the process! The job application process is one example.  By applying and interviewing for an AmeriTowne job, students gain real-world …