Young Money Finances to host summer camps
Programs for Ages 11-17 will Focus on Money Management, Investing and Entrepreneurship
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (May 25, 2023) — For the third consecutive year, Young Money Finances is hosting three in-person summer camps for children ages 11-17 to develop their money management, investing and entrepreneurial skills.
Programming begins the week of June 19 and goes through the week of Aug. 3, with each camp running three weeks.
“These camps offer an interactive and captivating way for students to learn about saving, investing and growing a business,” said Dondreá Brown, founder and CEO of Young Money Finances. “We had great experiences the last two summers and are excited to continue this tradition and engage the next generation of money managers and entrepreneurs.
“Managing money is 20% numbers and 80% behaviors. Teens will learn the basic principles to save, create real financial goals, make healthy money decisions and build wealth. These camps offer teens hands-on experience to create clear financial goals and plans to accomplish them.”
The three summer camps this year will all be held in the Grace Hauenstein Library on the Aquinas College campus:
- Young Money Managers – Participants will learn the basic principles of saving, financial goal setting, healthy money decision making and wealth building. The camp will conclude with each participant creating and achieving clear financial goals. This camp will run 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays from June 19 to July 6.
- Young Entrepreneurs – Participants will learn basic business and financial management concepts. They will leave the program will a business concept, blueprint and a chance to pitch their business idea to their peers and community. This camp will run 1:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays from June 19 to July 6.
- Young Investors – This program will focus on investing, with participants trading from a demonstration account. Participants who successfully complete the program will have the opportunity to receive a stipend that can be used for investing. The program will run 10 a.m. to noon Mondays and Thursdays from July 17 to Aug. 3.
Each camp is $25 per student and scholarships are available to ensure cost is not a barrier to participation. Registration is open now.
Students in each session will receive a Young Money Finances-branded toolkit that includes a T-shirt and stickers, play money and flash cards, a journal and a pledge card specific to the session topic, among other learning tools.
“At YMF, we aim to eliminate obstacles to financial literacy and believe education can be both fun and engaging,” Brown added. “By providing teens with the critical knowledge and tools to become financially literate, they can not only positively shape their own lives, but the lives of others in their communities.”
YMF was launched in February 2019, modeled after curriculum Brown developed and inspired by his then-8-year-old daughter, Aniylah, who needed to budget and save for a gymnastics bar. She used the spend-share-give money tool created by her dad to realize her dream of getting a new gymnastics bar. Aniylah and her six siblings ranging in age 4 to 14 serve as advisers to Brown on YMF’s financial education, resources and branded materials.
To register for one or more YMF summer camp or for more information about them, visit ymfgr.org/camps. The toolkits, flash cards, journals and YMF-branded materials are available for sale at ymfgr.org/shop.
Brown provides similar services to adults through his for-profit business, 1428 Financial Wellness. Founded on the biblical principle in Luke 14:28 – But don’t begin until you count the cost – 1428 Financial Wellness offers a My Money University, financial coaching, learning opportunities and resources for adults and college students.
About Young Money Finances
Young Money Finances is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that is transforming communities through financial literacy. YMF focuses on partnering with organizations and the community to provide high-impact and engaging financial education, services and resources. It is committed to empowering youth to flourish in these four main areas: health and wellness, education, entrepreneurship and community engagement. To learn more, visit ymfgr.org or connect on Facebook or Instagram.
