We are pleased your child will be joining us at Young Americans Center for Financial Education. As your child’s safety is our foremost concern, we’d like to inform you of the safety precautions we are undertaking for the 2021/2022 school year.
These precautions may be updated at any time. We appreciate you may have several questions about your child’s visit. Below you fill find several frequently asked questions as well as other precautionary measures Young Americans will be taking. Please feel free to contact us with any other questions you may have.
COVID Safety Measures
Will staff, teachers, volunteers and students wear facemasks?
Young Americans’ program staff will wear masks. Students, teachers and parent volunteers will be asked to comply with their district’s policies. For those districts with mask requirements, it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide a clean mask for their child.
How will proper hand hygiene be encouraged?
We have several locations in our buildings for students to use for handwashing. Handwashing times will be built into the schedules to allow for sanitation during the day. Hand sanitizer stations will also be located around the building.
Are parent volunteers allowed?
Volunteers are at the discretion of your child’s teacher. Volunteers may be limited so the maximum number of students may participate.
How often will areas be cleaned?
All surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized every evening in preparation for the next group of students.
What is the plan if someone becomes sick with COVID-19?
If an unvaccinated child, teacher or parent volunteers tests positive after their visit to Young Americans we require a school representative communicate with Young Americans about the circumstances including date tested positive, date participated in a Young Americans’ program and name of Young Americans program. If an unvaccinated Young Americans’ staff person tests positive, the Center will communicate with the school about the circumstances include the date tested positive, date the person worked with a school and the name of the Young Americans’ program.
Where will students put their belongings?
Each student will be given a space to place personal belongings while at a Young Americans’ program.
About Young AmeriTowne
Where is Young AmeriTowne?
AmeriTowne has three permanent locations and two portable versions:
- Denver: 3550 E. 1st Ave. Denver, CO 80206
- Belmar: 401 S. Pierce St. Lakewood, CO 80226
- Wray: 32415 Highway 34 / P.O. Box 312 Wray, Colorado 80758
- On the Road: Visit our locations page to see where AmeriTowne On the Road is headed next.
How long does it take to teach the Young AmeriTowne curriculum?
The curriculum consists of lessons with content from eight themes. Most lessons can be taught during a 40-minute class period. Depending on how many lessons are taught each day, the entire curriculum can be taught in anywhere from two to six weeks ahead of your scheduled day in Towne. Teachers are given a planning table during orientation to help plan their teaching schedule.
How much does it cost to come to Young AmeriTowne?
Beginning in fall, 2019, the cost of Young AmeriTowne and AmeriTowne On the Road is based on the size of your school group, something we call Economy Size. Included in this cost is the AmeriTowne curriculum, classroom materials, teacher orientation and supplies necessary to operate the day-in-Towne experience. This cost roughly translates to $15-$25 per student.
With this change in fee structure, it is important that school groups contact us right away if their Economy Size changes. We will do our best to accommodate changes, but know that some fees may change as a result.
We ask for a deposit when you pick up your curriculum materials. The balance of tuition is due and payable within sixty (60) days after your AmeriTowne date.
For questions about cost, payment and financial aid, please contact Programs Registration, 303-321-2265 or registration@yacenter.org.
What do students receive for this price?
Each student receives:
- Up to 30 hours of in-class lessons and a workbook in English or Spanish
- Personal check register
- Personal debit card
- Day at Young AmeriTowne where they run their own towne of nine businesses
Each school receives:
- All supplies including curriculum with academic standards alignment
- Teacher orientation and/or video
- Training for parent volunteers
- Young Americans’ staff-facilitated day in AmeriTowne
Are there scholarships available?
Yes! Young Americans Center provides scholarships through our Send-a-School program. Call us at 303-321-2265 for details.
How many students can participate in the program?
The number of students depends on the program:
- Young AmeriTowne in Denver and Belmar – 65-120 students
- Young AmeriTowne On the Road – 25-65 students
- Rural Young AmeriTowne in Wray – 40-80 students
If your group does not fit within these numbers, you may consider combining with another small group and coming together or dividing your group and coming on more than one day. Both options are available and easy to accomodate. Please contact Programs Registration, 303-321-2265, with questions regarding your group size.
What kind of training to teachers need in order to teach the curriculum successfully?
Teacher Orientation and refresher session are offered August through April to provide critical information about Young AmeriTowne program mechanics and classroom materials.
- A Teacher Orientation is required for all teachers who have not previously taught the Young AmeriTowne curriculum.
- A short refresher webinar is available and is recommended for teachers who have participated previously in Young AmeriTowne.
Plan to attend/watch an orientation or refresher session at least 2 months prior to your scheduled Towne date.
Find the schedule of Teacher Orientation dates here.
If I've brought a school group before, do I need to attend a teacher orientation?
Teachers that have already brought a school group to Young AmeriTowne do not need to attend teacher orientation again. They can just watch a short refresher webinar to ensure they know about all new updates for the current school year.
Our group is not part of the public school system. Is it still possible to participate in the Young AmeriTowne program?
Absolutely! A wide variety of groups participate in this program each year. Private schools, parochial schools, home school groups and alternative schools are all able and welcome to participate. Contact us for ideas on how to make this program work for your particular group’s needs: 303-321-2265.
What are the main concepts taught in the Young AmeriTowne curriculum?
The Young AmeriTowne curriculum is designed to teach children about the free enterprise system through a variety of lessons and activities which include:
- Basic Economics: Students get an overview of the free enterprise system learning about supply and demand, consumers and producers and the economic process.
- Banking: A basic overview of the banking process in which students will learn about and experience the use of a checking account they will use during their day in Towne.
- Money Management: Concepts such as budgeting, investing and the importance of savings are discussed.
- Government: Students learn how our government works by developing laws, campaigning and participating in primary and general elections.
- Communications: Students learn the real life skills of filling out job applications and going through job interviews to be hired for their positions in Towne.
- Philanthropy: Lessons on caring for your community and giving back to those in need are discussed so that each person becomes a vital link in making their community a better place.
- Business Preparation: Businesses conduct staff meetings, prepare their businesses to open and have job-training sessions.
- Closing Activities: Back at school, lessons on determining profitability for your business, balancing your account with the bank, business evaluations and Employee of the Day awards are completed to complete the program.
How can parents or other adult volunteers get involved in this program?
As you go through the curriculum, parents and adult volunteers are a great resource for you to use as guest speakers and community resources.
- They can help with lessons such as job interviews and business meetings as you prepare your students to come to Young AmeriTowne.
- When your school comes to Young AmeriTowne, parent and adult volunteers can also attend with your school to help facilitate the children’s day in Towne. Those who do attend are encouraged to view the Volunteer Orientation video to give them some background and better prepare them for what to expect on the day of the field trip.
- If volunteers cannot view the video, they will need to be provided with a copy of the Volunteer Orientation Packet (included in your classroom materials).
- Read more about volunteering at Young Americans Center here.
What can we expect on the day of our visit?
The students arrive at Young AmeriTowne and change from students of economics to citizens of Young AmeriTowne.
- Before the Towne opens for business, the Mayor and Judge are officially sworn into office during the Opening Ceremony in which the Mayor gives a speech and cuts the ribbon to officially open Towne.
- Accountants write checks for employee salaries and business expenses. Accountants then deposit shop income into business accounts to repay the Bank loan with interest at the end of the day and hopefully make a profit.
- Employees receive paychecks to deposit into their checking accounts at the bank so that when they go on break they can spend their hard-earned cash, write checks, and use their debit cards at other businesses.
- Although businesses compete for customers’ dollars, each shop serves a unique purpose in the economy. Goods and services are bought and sold by each of the 17 businesses around Towne. Each business supports one another and the economy as a whole.
- Each citizen and business is encouraged to donate money to one of six nonprofit organizations so that each member of the society is able to give back to the community and help those in need.
- Every economic decision made by participants becomes a learning experience, because all these decisions affect their business or personal finances.
What are the hours of Young AmeriTowne and how long can we expect to be there?
Young AmeriTowne operates between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. with the students needing to spend 3.5 hours (On the Road) or 4 hours (AmeriTowne in Denver, Belmar, and Wray) hours at the Towne site.
Can we visit Young AmeriTowne before we sign up or before our scheduled day in Towne?
Yes! You can schedule an appointment to come and see Young AmeriTowne “in action” most weekdays between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please call 303-321-2265 (AmeriTowne in Denver and Belmar) or 970-332-3150 (Wray) to schedule a time to visit.
What should teachers bring with them to Young AmeriTowne?
Teachers should bring: lunch, shop folders, accountant materials, business checkbooks, personal checkbooks, student $5 deposit slips, and student $1 savings checks.
What should students bring with them to Young AmeriTowne?
Students should bring: lunch, personal checkbook, postcards, and a pencil.
What should volunteers bring with them to Young AmeriTowne?
Volunteers should bring: lunch.
What happens if we need to cancel?
To cancel, notification must be made in writing 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 canceled by Young Amercians, any money paid to us will be refunded. Contact information for cancellations:
- Young AmeriTowne Denver and Belmar: Jeremy Ollie, jollie@yacenter.org
- Young AmeriTowne On the Road: Chris O’Reilly, coreilly@yacenter.org
- Young AmeriTowne On the Road Denver: Margarita Archilla Kohart, marchilla@yacenter.org
- Rural Young AmeriTowne in Wray: ruralameritowne@plainstel.com
About Young AmeriTowne On the Road
Where is Young AmeriTowne On the Road?
There is one traveling version of Young AmeriTowne On the Road that travels around the Denver metro area and the state of Colorado. While in your city, we set up AmeriTowne at local community centers, colleges, or businesses so that multiple school groups can attend. Visit our locations page to see where AmeriTowne On the Road is headed next.
Is there wifi available?
Unfortunately, wifi is not always available in AmeriTowne On the Road. Please plan ahead when planning to use the internet to access songs for the Radio Station or check email.
About Rural Young AmeriTowne
How much does it cost to come to Rural AmeriTowne and how will we be billed?
Each student that comes to Rural AmeriTowne is asked to pay a fee of $15. That fee includes Rural AmeriTowne curriculum, classroom materials, teacher orientation and supplies necessary to operate Rural AmeriTowne. Your school will only be billed for tuition based on the actual number of students participating on the day of your excursion. We ask for a nonrefundable service fee of $20 and a $50 deposit when you come to pick up your curriculum materials. The balance of tuition is due and payable within sixty (60) days after your excursion date. If other payment arrangements are needed, they can be made prior to receiving your program materials by calling 970-332-3150.
