The all-day camp is a financial management camp created specifically for Kansas middle school students. It is designed to offer this specific age group training in sound personal financial philosophies and practices in a fun environment that enhances leadership and teamwork skills. Students will engage in specific workshops regarding topics such as Money & Choices, Budgeting, Saving and Goal-Setting and Cash and Credit. Money$mart was developed in partnership with the Kansas Credit Union Association.

"Financial education is vital to the success of our state's citizens and it must begin with our youth," said State Treasurer Jenkins. "The MoneySmart Financial Management Camps are a perfect way to bring this invaluable information to young people so they can begin to understand how to make responsible decisions with their money."

This is the first time the Money$mart camp has been offered in El Dorado. It will be held during the school day to allow all 7th grade students in to participate. Thanks to the efforts of Ms. Vides, the Money$mart camp at El Dorado Middle School was made possible.

"We truly appreciate the support we are receiving from the school district," said Treasurer Jenkins. "They understand the importance of teaching financial literacy to kids at this age."

The program materials will be taught by college students in the SIFE program at Wichita State University along with volunteers from local credit unions. Money$mart organizers have found that students teaching students is an effective way to instruct the program.

"The SIFE team has been working with the Kansas State Treasurer's Office and the Kansas Credit Union Association for four years teaching the MoneySmart Program to middle school students," said Sheersty Rhodes, Wichita State University's SIFE financial literacy project manager. "We are excited to be expanding the reach of this great financial literacy program to El Dorado to reach even more of Kansas' youth."

In addition to Money$mart, Treasurer Jenkins has instituted several other financial education opportunities to encourage Kansans to take a pro-active approach in handling their finances. Statewide programs offered include "MoneyWise," a free monthly financial newsletter and "Save@School," a savings program at local elementary schools. Visit www.KansasStateTreasurer.com and click on "Get Smart about Money" to learn more about the Financial Literacy programs available to Kansans.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is a worldwide collegiate organization with the mission of uniting college students to impact our world through increased service and knowledge of the global free market economy. SIFE students work on a local team to recognize needs in their community and develop sustainable projects that address these needs. Projects are designed within the 5 SIFE criteria to teach and practice 1) market economics, 2) success skills, 3)entrepreneurship, 4) financial literacy, and 5) business ethics. For more information about SIFE go to www.sife.org. SIFE's new Take Charge website (www.wsutc.com) also educates people on financial and credit issues.

Jenkins, a former State Representative and Senator from Topeka, was re-elected to her second term as Kansas State Treasurer on Nov. 7, 2006. During her time as Treasurer, Jenkins has expanded investment options in Learning Quest and oversaw the re-bidding of the program, returned an average of $9 million a year in unclaimed property to Kansans, initiated multiple financial literacy programs, and eliminated the reliance on state general fund dollars to operate the office. She is a Certified Public Accountant and former small business owner.