Kansas CU Association Agrees to $15,000 For Literacy Camp

WICHITA, Kan. – The “money management” camp for Kansas teens suggested last fall by State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins to promote financial literacy is getting firm backing from the Kansas Credit Union Association. The trade group said CUs in the state are being asked to raise $15,000 in underwriting costs to “solely sponsor” the camp slated to open this October on a 4-H property in Junction City. The “money management” camp, said the association, represents a “very promising and worthwhile endeavor that could open more doors for the credit union involvement with youth, schools and communities,” said Marla Marsh, president/CEO. The camp will also “prove to be an effective marketing and advertising effort as credit unions promote this camp” to local schools, she said, adding it “meshes very well with our underlying principles of promoting thrift and education.” The KCUA Board endorsed the camp idea last November suggesting CUs work with Jenkins’ office “on a voluntary basis” to pay expenses of those interested and/or deserving youngsters who want to participate. Some 100 junior high students are expected to participate in the three-day camp discussing such areas as creating a budget, calculating loan rates and “establishing financial goals.” “I would be honored if Kansas credit unions would join my office in serving as sponsors of the camp,” said Lynn Jenkins, the treasurer. Jenkins said her office has long recognized “credit unions’ interest and efforts in financial literacy and youth education and feels that a partnership” will ensure success for the program. The camp will be held at the Rock Springs 4-H Camp and will cost $150-200 per student with each attending student asked to pay $50 for participating. The League said fundraising for the camp will continue until June. CUs from across the state, said the League, would be “contributing money and pledges to underwrite the cost to sponsor the camp.” Jenkins said last fall she chose to involve CUs in the “Kansas Youth Financial Management Summer Camp,” as it is officially known, because she knew of work being done by the League and CUs in improving financial literacy in the state. Jenkins, who said as a youngster she was interested in economics and would have enjoyed going to a camp with an emphasis on the subject, said the camp at Rock Springs will also have horseback riding, swimming and other outdoor sports in addition to the study of “handling finances.” Jenkins office said it has retained consultant Ron Alexander to oversee the planning and organization of the camp. Alexander was director of the Governor’s Center for Teen Leadership and will be working with the KCUA staff on the camp in reviewing student applications, fundraising, and “camp development.” -