KAPAA — Students at Kapaa Elementary School are learning to save over summer break.
It’s part of the Building Savers Field Trip offered at Gather Federal Credit Union, which teaches keiki financial literacy with games and other kid-friendly activities.
Kapaa Elementary School kicked off their summer program with a visit to the Kapaa branch, bringing 93 students to learn about credit unions, do mock deposits and play financial literacy games.
Kids also got to go on a treasure hunt and got some goodies to go.
Stephenie Brown, business development manager at Gather FCU, said the field trip makes it fun to learn about money. She’s noticed, too, that kids on the field trip follow a pattern.
In the beginning, they’re usually hesitant and unsure about the credit union, but that changes once they start learning what it’s all about.
“By the end of their excursion, they’re singing, dancing, giving out high-fives and hugs,” Brown said. “When I was a child, the bank was a place where only adults would go. It was dark, quiet and uninviting. I can see how the experience changes their mindset with financial institutions, and rightly so.”
The program’s goal is to make keiki feel comfortable and welcome in and around financial institutions, and to instill healthy financial habits for the future. The goal is also to expand the program and welcome students from every school on Kauai into Gather FCU so they can learn about money management.
The credit union also donated $200 to teachers at Kapaa Elementary for school supplies and other necessities as they gear up for the start of the new school year.
Info: Brown, 246-1262 or sbrown@gatherfcu.org
