Lewis County Central, Garrison, and Tollesboro Elementary 4^th and 5^th grade students participated in the 4-H Dollars and Sense program during the month of October.  The program was offered by the Lewis County 4-H program and the Family Resource Centers at Tollesboro and Central Elemetary.  There were approximately 317 students from the three schools that participated in the program and 30 volunteers from the community to help with the program.  Dollars and Sense is a program that teaches youth money handling skills and the ability to budget money.  

     Students visit fourteen booths where they must purchase at least one item from each booth.  The Bank was the first booth student’s visit.  They opened a savings account and deposit at least $20.00.  This is to teach them that they should pay themselves first and should save at least 10 percent of all money they receive from either gifts or a job.   The next booth was taxes and this booth is included since we pay taxes on almost everything we purchase.  Another booth is transportation, at the transportation booth students must purchase a form of transportation.  Their choices include a skateboard, bicycle, or ATV.  

     Other booths include Fast Food, Health and Grooming, Bedroom Décor, Candy Store, Pet Care, Veterinarian, Entertainment, Charitable Contributions and Chance.  The favorite booth of almost every participant was the Candy Store where they actually received candy with their purchase.  There is also a SOS booth to help students in case they run out of money.  

After the program was completed, a survey was given to participants.  Of the 131 students that participated in the survey, 119  participants(91%)  said they understood managing money better and 114 participants (87%) said they think they are better at counting money after participating in the program.