(TOPEKA, Kan.) - Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, CPA, invites Kansas' seventh and eighth graders to spend the weekend with her learning about leadership and gaining money management skills all the while making new friends at the second annual MoneySmart Financial Management Camp, Sept. 23 to 25 at Rock Springs 4-H camp near Junction City. The camp is a partnership between State Treasurer Jenkins' Kansas Financial Education Foundation and the Kansas Credit Union Association.
"Last year we had a great time," Treasurer Jenkins said. "We thought we were going to do the camp again, but once we received evaluations from the campers, we decided that we HAD to do it again!"
"Responses from campers were terrific ranging from 'Great time! Perfect!' to 'Totally fun, I learned new things,'" Jenkins added.
Like last year, campers will spend the weekend learning valuable money management and teamwork skills, riding horses, canoeing and a number of other fun activities. The camp, open to all seventh and eighth graders in Kansas, includes interactive workshops on topics such as "Money & Choices," "Budgeting," Saving & Goal-Setting," and "Cash & Credit."
Being a part of the camp is quick, easy and inexpensive to parents. Visit www.KansasStateTreasurer.com and click on the MoneySmart link or call Mary Lou McPhail at 785-296-0645 to apply. The cost is $50 per student, which includes food, shelter and materials.
"Helping our children grow into productive citizens is every parent's goal," Treasurer Jenkins said. "My hope is that this camp starts the kids down that road to success."
In addition to MoneySmart, Treasurer Jenkins has instituted several other financial education opportunities for Kansans so that they may take a pro-active approach in handling their finances. Statewide programs offered include free financial planning seminars; "MoneyWise," a free monthly financial newsletter available at www.KansasStateTreasurer.com; and "Save@School," a savings program at local elementary schools.
"I am excited to offer these unique programs to Kansans," Treasurer Jenkins said. "Having the tools necessary for a financially secure future is critical to our state and all its residents."
The Kansas Credit Union Association was organized in 1934 to promote the welfare and interests of credit unions and to assist in the organization of credit unions; to act on behalf of credit unions; and to carry on essential business functions for the common benefit of all member credit unions. The Association's mission is: To assist member credit unions in meeting the needs of their members and potential members in order to further the success of Kansas credit unions. The Association takes leadership roles in: fostering the credit union philosophies of democratic control and "people helping people"; promoting safety and soundness of its member credit unions while giving full support to the credit union cooperative system; developing and maintaining favorable legislation and regulation for credit unions, providing enlightened educational opportunities, generating healthy credit union growth strategies, and making available other credit union programs and services.
Jenkins, a former State Representative and Senator from Topeka, was elected Treasurer on Nov. 5, 2002. She is a Certified Public Accountant and former small business owner. Since being sworn into office in January 2003, Jenkins has expanded investment options in Learning Quest, initiated multiple financial literacy programs, and eliminated the reliance on state general fund dollars to operate the office.
