Financial literacy summer camp · Grades K-6:One money topic, explored in depth over a full-day week
Summer camp runs Monday to Friday, all day. Each week takes one topic, such as saving or spotting a scam, and goes deep: games, team relays, building projects and a guest speaker, finishing with a ceremony on Friday.
Who it is for
- Children in grades K-6, with activities pitched to each grade band.
- Schools, camps and community sites with at least 10 children each week.
Length and cadence
- A camp week is Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- One topic each week. A site can host one week or several, each on a different topic.
- Camp weeks run between late May and late July.
What a week looks like
Monday
Welcome and introduction
Children meet the week's topic away from the screen, log in, and take a short starting check.
Tuesday
The week's first game
Children learn and play the main game for the topic.
Wednesday
Mid-week check-in and relay
A quick check of what has stuck so far, then a team relay that puts it into practice.
Thursday
The second game
A second game, or the second part of the topic, builds on Tuesday.
Friday
Ceremony and guest
A guest who works in banking talks about their job, and the week ends with a ceremony and certificates.
Every day mixes screen time with time away from the screen: movement games, team relays and hands-on building with cardboard, tape and markers.
The camp weeks
A site chooses which weeks to host, one topic per week. Every week builds toward Friday, when families come to see what the group has made. Weeks on credit, fraud and claims are for grades 3-6.
Camp week · Grades K-6
Counting and change
Someone has to keep track of money, and this week the group is the bank.
In the room
Children work teller shifts, run a team relay on Wednesday and build a cardboard teller window with badges and balance books. At Friday's ceremony, families make deposits and withdrawals at the window with play money.
The idea to take home: Count carefully, keep the balance, and say no when the numbers say no.
Camp week · Grades K-6
Spending and budgeting
Every amount of money has a limit. Children compare what they get for the money, and pay for needs first.
In the room
Teams set up a pop-up market from blank boxes with price tags and better-deal labels, and make a family budget poster. At Friday's ceremony, families shop the market on a budget.
The idea to take home: Add it up, compare what you get for the money, and pay for what you need before what you want.
Camp week · Grades K-6
Saving
Choosing later over now, and knowing how far away a goal is.
In the room
Each child fills in a goal thermometer from a daily pretend payday that is the same for everyone, and the group builds a game-show wheel with puzzles they wrote. Families play the game show on Friday.
The idea to take home: Pick a goal, work out the gap, and know the words adults use for saving.
Camp week · Grades 3-6 only
Credit and borrowing
Borrowing has a cost, and the cost is the extra, not the total.
In the room
The group designs its own "Borrow or Save?" board game, using whole amounts only, and a quiz board of its own clues. Families play both at the ceremony.
The idea to take home: Borrowing costs something; find out how much before you say yes.
Camp week · Grades 3-6 only
Fraud and safety
Look before you use it, keep your PIN private, and know when to stop and tell someone.
In the room
Children become safety inspectors: they build a cardboard mock cash machine with removable "tampered" parts, inspect each other's, and each make a field guide.
The idea to take home: Look before you use it, keep your PIN private, and if something looks wrong, stop and tell an adult or the bank.
Camp week · Grades 3-6 only
Claims and evidence
Write down the claim, do the maths that tests it, and ask who made it and what they want.
In the room
The group runs a detective agency: an evidence wall, a case file for every child, and a made-up advert from each team with its own fact-check.
The idea to take home: Write down what it claims, do the maths that tests it, and ask who made it and what they want.
Camp week · Grades K-6
Health and home
A household plans for looking after the people in it, and that planning is part of the budget. Children in grades K-2 cover first aid and everyday supplies only.
In the room
Each team makes a household readiness plan and fits it into a budget. Medicine is treated only as something grown-ups keep and give, and there is no health or diet advice.
The idea to take home: A home keeps what it needs ready, and that is part of the budget.
What happens on screen
Part of each session is a money game played in a web browser. The platform is built and run by Fundoria LLC, a separate company; Career Lab Live writes the curriculum and runs everything that happens in the room.
The industry: finance
Summer camp is set in one industry, Finance (Banking & Credit), and a guest who works in banking visits every Friday. The other industry tracks belong to our in-school field trip and are not part of summer camp.
Head job: Banking Basics
Students take on the role of a bank teller, learning to verify customer IDs, process deposits and withdrawals accurately, handle cash transactions, and print receipts. This hands-on experience teaches financial responsibility, attention to detail, and customer service skills in a banking environment.
Skills children practice
- Math: Calculate deposits and withdrawals accurately
- Communication: Professional customer interactions
- Critical Thinking: Identify potential fraud or errors
Mini-games
Fraud Finder
Identify fraudulent transactions and suspicious activity
Decimal Detective
Master decimal calculations in financial transactions
Cash Handling Relay
Race to count and distribute cash accurately
Receipt Match Challenge
Match transactions to correct receipts
Head job: Leasing Assistant
Students work as leasing assistants, learning to match families with appropriate housing based on budget, family size, and location needs. They practice reading lease agreements, explaining key clauses, and helping clients make informed housing decisions.
Skills children practice
- Math: Calculate monthly costs including rent, utilities, and deposits
- Reading: Interpret lease agreements and contracts
- Communication: Explain complex terms in simple language
Mini-games
Budget Builder
Create household budgets within income constraints
Needs vs. Wants Sorting
Distinguish between housing needs and wants
Housing Match Cards
Match families to appropriate housing options
Head job: Claims Assistant
Students work as insurance claims assistants, learning to gather necessary documentation, explain policy coverage, calculate deductibles, and guide customers through the claims process. They develop skills in organization, communication, and understanding insurance terminology.
Skills children practice
- Math: Calculate deductibles and coverage amounts
- Communication: Explain complex insurance terms clearly
- Organization: Manage documentation and follow procedures
Mini-games
Risk or No Risk?
Evaluate scenarios to determine risk level
Deductible Calculator
Calculate deductibles and out-of-pocket costs
Policy Match-Up
Match incidents to appropriate coverage types
Head job: Project Coordinator
Students take on the role of a project coordinator, learning to plan construction projects by estimating material needs, creating realistic timelines, and identifying potential safety risks. This activity develops organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills.
Skills children practice
- Math: Calculate material quantities and costs
- Planning: Develop project schedules and timelines
- Critical Thinking: Identify and mitigate safety risks
Mini-games
Tool ID & Safety Quiz
Identify tools and understand safety protocols
Material Estimator
Calculate materials needed for projects
Build Sequence Sorting
Arrange construction steps in correct order
Head job: Customer Service Associate
Students act as customer service associates, practicing conflict resolution, applying store policies accurately, and assisting customers with their needs. They learn effective communication, problem-solving, and how to manage customer satisfaction while staying within company guidelines.
Skills children practice
- Communication: Active listening and clear explanation
- Problem Solving: Resolve customer issues efficiently
- Critical Thinking: Apply policies fairly and consistently
Mini-games
Price Comparison Cards
Compare prices to find the best deals
Scan & Total
Scan items and calculate accurate totals
Return or Replace?
Decide appropriate action for customer returns
Head job: Fulfillment Associate
Students simulate the role of a fulfillment associate, accurately picking items from warehouse shelves, packing them for shipment, and applying correct labels. This activity emphasizes speed, accuracy, and attention to detail in a logistics environment.
Skills children practice
- Organization: Manage inventory and order fulfillment
- Attention to Detail: Ensure correct items and labels
- Time Management: Meet shipping deadlines
Mini-games
Pack It Right
Pack items securely for safe shipping
Weight & Shipping Cost Match
Calculate shipping costs based on weight
Route the Delivery
Plan efficient delivery routes
Head job: Pharmacy Technician
Students simulate pharmacy technicians, learning to accurately read medication labels, verify dosages against prescriptions, and understand the importance of safe refill dates. This activity emphasizes attention to detail and understanding pharmaceutical information.
Skills children practice
- Reading: Interpret medical labels and instructions
- Math: Calculate dosages and quantities
- Attention to Detail: Ensure accuracy in medication details
Mini-games
Dose Check
Verify medication dosages are correct
Label Decoder
Interpret medication labels accurately
Medicine Math
Calculate medication quantities by 5s and 10s
Head job: QA Tester
Students act as QA testers, learning to systematically test software applications, reproduce reported issues, write clear and concise bug reports, and retest fixes to ensure quality. This develops analytical and communication skills in a software development context.
Skills children practice
- Critical Thinking: Identify and document software defects
- Communication: Write clear and detailed bug reports
- Problem Solving: Verify software fixes
Mini-games
Bug Hunt
Find and document software bugs
Steps to Reproduce
Document clear steps to reproduce bugs
Severity Sorting
Classify bugs by severity level
High school pathway. Career Lab Live's programs for grades 7-12 are in development, so this track is not yet available to book.
Head job: Junior Developer
Students take on the role of junior developers, implementing small software features, using version control (Git) to commit code, and writing basic unit tests. This provides practical experience in software development workflows.
Skills children practice
- Computer Science: Implement basic programming features
- Version Control: Use Git for code management
- Software Testing: Write basic unit tests
Mini-games
Logic Puzzles
Solve logic problems to prep for coding
Sequence Building
Arrange code sequences in correct order
Bug Fix Mini-Lab
Practice debugging code with guided fixes
Head job: Budget Analyst Assistant
Students act as budget analysts, learning to balance competing priorities, evaluate bids from service providers, and present well-reasoned funding recommendations. This develops analytical and persuasive communication skills in a public service context.
Skills children practice
- Math: Analyze budgets and compare costs
- Critical Thinking: Evaluate proposals and priorities
- Communication: Present data-backed recommendations
Mini-games
Bid Comparison
Compare vendor bids for best value
Community Needs Sorting
Prioritize community needs by importance
Budget Balancer
Balance city budgets with competing priorities
Head job: Energy Analyst Assistant
Students work as energy analysts, studying usage patterns to identify areas for cost savings and efficiency improvements. They learn to analyze data and propose practical solutions for reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Skills children practice
- Data Analysis: Interpret energy usage data
- Problem Solving: Identify cost-saving opportunities
- Environmental Science: Understand energy conservation
Mini-games
High vs. Low Usage Cards
Sort appliances by energy consumption
Energy Saver Match
Match energy-saving tips to situations
Peak Power Planner
Plan to reduce peak energy usage
Head job: Cafeteria Menu Planner
Students design cafeteria menus, focusing on nutritional balance, cost-effectiveness, and incorporating seasonal ingredients. They learn about dietary guidelines, food sourcing, and menu planning principles.
Skills children practice
- Nutrition: Understand balanced meal components
- Math: Budgeting and cost analysis for food items
- Planning: Develop cohesive menus
Mini-games
Food Group Sort
Categorize foods into proper food groups
Price Match
Compare food prices for budget planning
Week-at-a-Glance Builder
Plan a week of balanced menus
Head job: Front Desk Agent
Students assume the role of a front desk agent, practicing calculating guest charges, applying hotel policies, and resolving service issues. This develops customer service, problem-solving, and financial calculation skills.
Skills children practice
- Math: Calculate charges, taxes, and discounts
- Customer Service: Handle guest interactions professionally
- Problem Solving: Resolve service issues effectively
Mini-games
Folio Fixer
Correct errors in guest folios
Reservation Role-Play
Practice handling reservation calls
Customer Scenario Cards
Respond to various customer situations
Head job: Instructional Aide
Students act as instructional aides, assisting teachers by supporting small groups, providing targeted help, and collecting quick assessments of student progress. This develops teaching support, observation, and data collection skills.
Skills children practice
- Pedagogy: Support student learning effectively
- Observation: Assess student understanding
- Data Collection: Gather evidence of progress
Mini-games
Evidence Collector
Gather evidence of student learning
Lesson Match-Up
Match lessons to learning objectives
Feedback Finder
Identify effective feedback for students
Head job: Production Line Quality Assistant
Students act as quality control assistants on a production line, using measurement tools to check parts against specifications, logging any defects found, and communicating issues for correction. This develops precision, attention to detail, and reporting skills.
Skills children practice
- Math: Measurement and tolerance checks
- Attention to Detail: Identify defects accurately
- Communication: Report findings clearly
Mini-games
Measure & Mark
Measure parts and mark specifications
Defect Sort
Categorize defects by type and severity
Corrective Action Relay
Plan and communicate corrective actions
Head job: Help Desk Associate
Students act as help desk associates, learning to categorize and prioritize IT support tickets, guide users through basic troubleshooting steps, and explain fundamental account security practices.
Skills children practice
- IT Support: Triage and troubleshoot technical issues
- Communication: Guide users clearly
- Cybersecurity: Explain basic security practices
Mini-games
Password Strength Check
Evaluate password security levels
Issue Classifier
Categorize IT issues by type
Fix-It Flowchart
Follow troubleshooting flowcharts
Head job: Emergency Communications Assistant
Students simulate emergency dispatchers, learning to classify incoming calls based on urgency, dispatch appropriate responders (police, fire, ambulance), and write concise incident summaries. This develops critical decision-making and communication skills under pressure.
Skills children practice
- Decision Making: Prioritize and dispatch resources
- Communication: Speak clearly and concisely under stress
- Information Management: Document incidents accurately
Mini-games
Scenario Sorting
Sort emergency scenarios by category
Call Priority Ranking
Rank emergency calls by urgency
Response Match
Match appropriate responders to emergencies
What a site provides
- A room with tables for every child and power within reach
- One laptop or Chromebook per child, running Chrome or Edge, and tested Wi-Fi
- A space for movement games: a gym, multipurpose room or safe outdoor area
- Lunch, snacks and water for a full day. Families send a water bottle.
- Sunscreen, first aid and emergency procedures under the site's own policy
Every group runs at a ratio of at least one adult per 15 children, with a second adult from the 16th child.
Price
$350 per child for one full-day week
Minimum 10 children per site. That is the smallest group a site can book, not the size at which a discount starts.
This is the standard rate, per child: at the standard rate, a group of 20 children costs 20 times the per-child price.
Larger groups can be discounted. Any discount is quoted for your group, case by case, and is not applied automatically. Ask for a group quote through the contact form or email team@careerlablive.org.
If cost is a barrier for your families, ask us about sponsor funding. Already running a program with us? Email support@careerlablive.org.
It all ends with a showcase
Every after-school term and summer camp ends with a showcase, run like a science fair. Children set out what they learned on display boards and present it to the people who come to see it. The entries with the most votes win prizes and rewards.
Local community members and vendors sponsor the showcase and provide the food.
Sponsor a showcase or provide the food, or email partnerships@careerlablive.org.
Questions about summer camp
How much does a summer camp week cost?
A Career Lab Live summer camp week costs $350 per child for one full-day week, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, which is the standard rate; larger groups can be discounted, and any discount is quoted for that group rather than applied automatically.
What topics can a summer camp week cover?
A Career Lab Live summer camp week covers one of 7 topics, chosen by the host site: counting and change, spending and budgeting, saving, credit and borrowing, fraud and safety, claims and evidence, and health and home.
Can younger children join every summer camp week?
The credit and borrowing, fraud and safety, and claims and evidence weeks are for grades 3-6, and the other weeks are open to grades K-6, with children in grades K-2 covering first aid and everyday supplies only in the health and home week.
What is the minimum group size for summer camp?
Summer camp needs at least 10 children per site each week, which is the smallest group a site can book and not the point at which a discount starts, and each child is priced at the standard per-child rate unless a group discount has been quoted.
What does a summer camp week look like?
A summer camp week explores one topic in depth: Monday, welcome and introduction; Tuesday, the week's first game; Wednesday, mid-week check-in and relay; Thursday, the second game; and Friday, ceremony and guest, when a guest who works in banking talks about their job and the week ends with a ceremony and certificates.
When do summer camp weeks run?
Career Lab Live summer camp weeks run between late May and late July, and a site can host one week or several, each on a different topic.
Help more children take part
Career Lab Live Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 39-3910687). Gifts help schools that could not otherwise afford a program. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.