UA Professor Helps Middle-Schoolers Become Financially Savvy

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s College of Human Environmental Sciences will host a unique and timely summer camp for 20 Alabama middle school students.

Camp Cash, a two-week program beginning June 15 and concluding June 26, will teach students the importance of money management and budgeting. Students must be enrolled in grades six through nine and have an A/B average.

“We are trying to reach just the right age group to make the biggest impact,” said Jan Brakefield, assistant professor of consumer sciences and leader of the camp. “At their ages, they are excited about new responsibility and are ready to soak up this kind of information rather than filter it out. Big changes like driving and part-time jobs are around the corner and now is a good time to prepare them.”

This is the second year for Camp Cash. Brakefield initiated the camp last summer as a result of positive response to a program in which UA students from the Capstone Financial Planning Association visited several local schools to deliver presentations about financial planning to middle school students.

“Our hope is that the participating students will learn something that will help their parents as well,” said Brakefield.

The College of Human Environmental Sciences is a professional school with a focus on enhancing the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. Throughout its history, the college has achieved a national reputation for excellence through the quality of its academic programs and faculty who are recognized as scholars and leaders in the generation of both basic and applied research.