Raising Money‑Smart Kids at Colorado’s Young Americans Center

Maybe you’ve heard about a field trip to Young AmeriTowne, or a child opening up an account at Young Americans Bank, but did you know that the Young Americans Center offers so much more than that?!

The Young Americans Center is a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to giving kids real‑world financial skills in ways that feel fun, empowering, and hands‑on. Each year, more than 67,000 young people (under 22 years old) participate in its programs, learning everything from budgeting to entrepreneurship to global interactions. As stated on their website, “Young Americans was founded with one bold purpose: to prepare youth to take charge of their financial futures.”

Take Charge of Your Business!

YouthBiz is all about sparking the entrepreneurial spirit in kids and teens. Through workshops, competitions, mentorship, and real sales opportunities, young entrepreneurs learn how to develop ideas, create products, and run their own businesses. Many participants go on to launch successful ventures, and collectively, YouthBiz kids generate tens of thousands of dollars in revenue each year.

Would your child love to make and sell products? Do they have that entrepreneurial spirit? Help them take charge and register for a workshop today!

Take Charge of Your Learning!

ChargeLab is the Young Americans Center’s brand new digital learning hub designed to help kids “take charge” of their financial education anytime, anywhere. It offers fun, interactive modules where students make real‑life money decisions and immediately see the impact of their choices, which keeps them engaged and builds true understanding. Currently offering online courses for grades 4 – 8 with future plans for grades K – 3 and 9 – 12.

The platform includes age‑specific tracks covering personal finance, entrepreneurship, free enterprise, and global economics, all in ways that feel more like a game than a class. ChargeLab is self‑paced, accessible, and built to meet Colorado’s digital accessibility standards. Kids can learn independently while still giving teachers and parents the tools to track progress.

Take Charge!

The Youth Advisory Board at the Young Americans Center gives teens a meaningful purpose in our community. It empowers them to shape programs, represent their peers, and build real leadership skills. Members meet regularly (one Saturday morning per month) to discuss issues that matter to young people, provide feedback on Center initiatives, and help guide the direction of youth‑focused financial education. It’s a hands‑on opportunity for students to practice collaboration, public speaking, and decision‑making while contributing to something bigger than themselves.

Would your 8th – 12th grader like to take part? The application for the 2026-2027 Youth Board is available here between April 1st – June 26th.

Take Charge of Your Finances!

Money Matters is a classroom‑based financial literacy program that brings real‑life money skills directly to students from preschool through high school. The curriculum is practical, engaging, and age‑appropriate, covering everything from basic saving and spending to budgeting and credit. Money Matters helps kids build confidence with money early on and gives them a strong foundation they’ll carry into adulthood.

Topics cover budgeting, saving, spending, credit, philanthropy and more!

Take Charge of Your Future!

Young AmeriTowne is the program most families have either heard about or attended. This immersive experience allows 4th–6th graders to run an entire town for a day. Students spend several weeks preparing in the classroom before stepping into their jobs. They may be the Snack Shop Manager, Bank Teller, Doctor, or even serving as Mayor or Judge. It’s one of the most memorable field trips of elementary school and teaches teamwork, responsibility, and financial literacy in a way kids never forget!

Take Charge of Your World!

For middle schoolers, International Towne takes the learning global. Whereas Young AmeriTowne is split up into businesses, International Towne is made up of four fictional regions, representing 16 countries from around the world. Students “travel” between countries, using a passport, and practice exchanging currency, explore global business customs, and build financial confidence.

I love that the Young Americans Center makes money skills feel doable and fun. Whether kids are running a shop in Young AmeriTowne, dreaming up a business idea with YouthBiz, or learning the basics of budgeting through Money Matters or ChargeLab, they walk away a little more confident and a lot more capable. It’s one of those rare programs that actually sticks with them. If you’re looking for ways to help your kids build real‑world skills they’ll use forever, this is the place to start!

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