Rags to Riches: Personal Finance Camp

The Mission to Manhood "Rags to Riches" Personal Finance Camp Program is a focused three-day initiative designed to provide youth aged 10-18 with essential financial literacy skills. This program educates participants on making a budget, understanding the value of a dollar, and the basics of investments, empowering them with the knowledge and skills necessary for financial independence and responsibility.

On Day 1, the camp begins with an introduction to budgeting, covering what a budget is and why it's important. Participants engage in an interactive workshop on tracking income and expenses, followed by a hands-on activity where they create their own monthly budget. In the afternoon, they learn strategies for managing personal finances, the importance of saving, and how to set realistic savings goals. A role-playing activity helps them practice making financial decisions within a budget. The day ends with participants sharing their budgets, receiving feedback, discussing common budgeting pitfalls, and writing down personal financial goals.

Day 2 focuses on understanding the value of a dollar. The morning session introduces basic economic principles and how money works in the economy, with discussions on earning money through allowances, chores, and part-time jobs. An interactive game, "Money Matters," teaches the consequences of financial choices. The afternoon session covers the concept of needs vs. wants, strategies for smart shopping, and avoiding impulse purchases. Participants plan a shopping list and budget for a hypothetical scenario. The evening session introduces money management tools and apps, with a demonstration on how to use them, and a group discussion on tips for better money management.

Day 3 introduces participants to investments. The morning session explains what investments are and why they are important, covering different types of investments like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate. An interactive workshop allows participants to simulate stock market investments with a mock portfolio. The afternoon session emphasizes the power of compound interest and long-term investment strategies, discussing the importance of starting to invest early. Participants create a simple long-term investment plan. The day concludes with an overview of financial goals, such as education, buying a home, and retirement. Participants outline their financial aspirations and the steps needed to achieve them.

The "Rags to Riches" Personal Finance Camp runs for three consecutive days and is held at local community centers or schools. It is open to young males aged 10-18 who are part of the M2MP initiative. The program aims to equip participants with practical skills for budgeting and managing money, teach the value of a dollar and the importance of financial decisions, and introduce the basics of investing to foster long-term financial planning. The Mission to Manhood "Rags to Riches" Personal Finance Camp Program is dedicated to fostering financial literacy among young males, providing them with the tools and knowledge to make informed financial decisions and achieve their financial goals