Because if you're like me, you weren't taught about money at home or in school.
How The Money Camp Got Started:
The Money Camp began as an inspiration by Elisabeth Donati when she read Robert Kiyosaki's book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". Relating to her own lack of financial education and parental guidance in the area of financial literacy, she began considering the possibility of developing a summer camp for kids that was both fun and education, with the center theme surrounding the basic concepts and principles of money.
Our First Money Camp for Kids:
The first Money Camp for Kids was held August 19-23, 2002 at the United Boys & Girls Club's in Santa Barbara, CA. with 39 kids! What a start! The summer of 2003 brought 4 full camps, several additional kid's programs (home school, after school, private programs) and several adult programs (corporate and individual). One of Our Camp Goals is for your kids to leave camp so excited about what they just learned and experienced that they don't stop talking on the way home from camp!
Since then we've just continued to grow each year and now our goal is to have Money Camps all over the world by 2010! Donald Trump said if you're going to be thinking anyway you might as well think BIG! So, we are.
Why a Money Camp for Kids?
Money is the number one cause of divorce in America.
Money is among the top reasons people commit suicide.
Approximately 75% of Americans live financially month to month.
Less than 10% of high school graduates receive any financial education in school.
According to Nellie Mae (Money Jan. 2004), the agerage undergraduate debt as $18,900 in 2002, up from $11,400 in 1997.
College students' average credit card debt rose 46% from 1998 to 2000 to $2,748; nearly 10% of students owe more than $7,000.
One online job service surveyed college students in 2003 and found that 61% of them said they planned to live with their parents after graduation!
There appears to be a direct correlation between high school students scores on financial literacy exams and the number of bancruptcies in the states where they live.
There is a 'taboo' about talking about money with family and friends.
Consumer debt and bankruptcies are at an all time high. (Note: humans learn best by example and our government sets the worst financial example there is!).
Only a third of this country's Baby Boomer generation are saving enough for retirement.
There is no guarantee that social security will be around when our kids reach retirement age.
The rules of saving for retirement have changed, from pensions given to employees after many years of dedication to employees being completely responsible for saving for their own futures.
College students are graduating with soaring credit card debt (not including student loans!) along with their diplomas. Four out of ten college students face 'unmanageable' debt as they finish college and enter the job market.
Up until now, our focus on educating kids about money has been left up to parents who often know little about how to make and manage their own finances.
The Money Camp Team:
The Money Camp was developed by a group of individuals who had the financial background and experience to see the importance and relevance in teaching children (and adults) about money. The Money Camp Team consists of:
Elisabeth Donati: President and cofounder, a professional in the fitness/nutrition industry with over 20 years of experience coaching people in areas of health and fitness.
Karen Dwyer: Executive Director, has an MBA and has extensive international business experience. She is in charge of the direction of the organization both nationally and internationally.
Nicci Hersey: Executive Assistant, has over nine years of experience in the banking industry and is the main backbone in the office and the organization of our programs.
Steve Gordon: Assistant Creative Director, an entrepreneur who assists with the creative direction of the programs.
Pamela Capalad: Head Trainer and UCSB graduate. Assists with the Teacher Trainings and with continual improvement of the camps for kids. Pamela has proved to us we could duplicate ourselves and teach thousands of kids 'how money works!'
Anissa Bustos: Awesome Office Support. She never ceases to amaze us with her endless energy in helping us be successful. She is a blessing to us all.
The Money Camp Curriculum:
The Money Camp curriculum focuses not only on the basic principles of money, money flow, financial vocabulary, financial statements and basic investing but also on the important concept that the beliefs and attitudes we develop early on in life about money have a powerful effect on our financial future. We also stress the idea that money doesn't buy happiness, it is just a tool to use to become financially independent.
Our goal is to help create future generations of fiscally responsible, financially independent adults who truly are happy, healthy, wealthy, and hopefully, wise!
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