Local schools requested the 4-H Reality Store program.  The 4-H Reality Store program is a real-life simulation that allows the student to see how their financial choices in relation to their salary based on their career path will affect their overall financial situation.

Freshman and Senior business students from the Letcher County Area Technology Center recently had an amazing opportunity to serve as student leaders for the Letcher County 4-H Reality Store event held at the Letcher County Extension Office. The role the business students had was to help guide middle 7^th and 8^th grade school students through real-world financial decisions and budgeting scenarios. This was the first time that the Area Technology Center had business student help with 4-H Reality Store.

From recent community assessment survey’s the public feedback showed that many youth did not have the financial knowledge and skills to make healthy sound financial decisions. Having both money management skills and career path options help the development that is important in our area and needs to be addressed among our youth population, so they are better equipped to make healthier financial decisions.

363 participants were reached during this program.

The Letcher County Extension 4-H Agent collaborated with both school systems the County Schools and the Independent School system middle school family resource youth services coordinators, teachers and community members from local businesses/organizations to bring this event to four middle schools during the 2024-2025 school year. To date, the agent worked with the schools to complete lessons in financial management prior to the event in four schools and one additional school will continue with the program this Spring.  

In one of the lessons covered with students was evaluating career choices. Most schools have a career fair in coincidentally after the lesson this was prior to Reality Store.

80% shared they felt their knowledge of budgeting money increased after the program.

88% shared they increased their knowledge of making wise financial decisions.

76% shared they increased their knowledge of how much money it takes to raise a child.

75% shared they better understand the need for saving for the future.

 Students said that their career choice would change after the experience. Some had to have multiple jobs just to make it.

One student of the students said that “I had no idea how much money it takes to have a house, car, kids, food, clothes, how do my parents afford three kids, raising kids is expensive.”

One of the teachers from Letcher County Area Technology Center said “A big thank you to the Letcher County 4-H  for providing this valuable leadership experience for our students.”