UA’s Camp Cash in Fifth Year Teaching Middle-Schoolers Money Management Skills

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — For the fifth consecutive year, The University of Alabama College of Human Environmental Sciences will host Camp Cash, a unique and opportune summer camp for 25 middle-school students.

Camp Cash, a hands-on, weeklong workshop beginning Monday, July 16 and concluding Friday, July 20, 8:30 a.m.-noon each day, teaches the importance of learning solid financial-responsibility skills early in life. Students must be between the ages of 11 and 14 and have an A/B average.

A summer camp focused on money management pays off for both the student and the family, according to Jan Brakefield, assistant professor of financial planning in the College of Human Environmental Sciences and leader of the camp.

Brakefield developed the camp in 2008 to reach children at an age, she said, that would make the biggest life-long impact.

“At their ages, they are excited about new responsibility and are ready to soak up this kind of information rather than filter it out,” Brakefield said. “Big changes like driving and part-time jobs are on the horizon, and now is a good time to prepare them.

“Teaching concepts like delayed gratification and building a savings account can save the family money now, but, more importantly, lead young people down a path of wise financial planning in the future,” she said.

Camp Cash helps campers develop essential money-management skills, confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills.

Qualified campers must be motivated to work hard. Topics include financial goal setting, budgeting, credit use, investing, wealth accumulation and career planning.

Total cost of the camp is $99 and includes course materials, snacks and a Camp Cash t-shirt. Applications are available at http://www.ches.ua.edu. Contact Brakefield at 205/348-8722 or jbrakefi@ches.ua.edu for more information.