Heritage Trust FCU Makes Financial Literacy Fun for Area Youth
August 4, 2016
CHARLESTON, SC (August 3, 2016) Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union is utilizing technology to make financial education fun for area youth. Through its interactive online video game Coindexter, children are able to create their own avatar and become immersed in the educational virtual world of Econopolis. As part of the game, children work through modules to earn, save, spend, manage and even invest money in order to help Penny Parker, the president of the Coindexter Club, unlock obstacles within Econopolis.
Heritage Trust expanded on its financial education gaming platform by unveiling a new learning format on July 28th and 29th at the credit union"s Coleman Boulevard and Park West branch locations in Mount Pleasant. The branch community rooms were the site of a new, interactive experience called Camp Coindexter.
Camp Coindexter is a 2-hour financial simulation that places children into teams to compete against various interactive financial challenges. Sessions featured learning modules modeled after actual Summer camp games and activities focused on earning, saving, spending and giving. A camp�director used animated digital assets, combined with printed field guide books, game cards and other materials to guide the campers through each topic in sessions that were educational and entertaining.
The Coindexter Financal Literacy partner program is a product of Applause Learning, Inc. Jim Lawrence is the company"s president. "The membership of Heritage Trust FCU is fortunate to have a credit union that is committed to youth financial literacy. The staff at Heritage Trust understands the importance of educating children at this age level and the role their financial education will play in becoming financially-responsible adults. When a well-respected organization such as Heritage Trust delivers a dynamic learning program to caring parents, the results are always promising. As our programs continue to gain increased influence with this generation of children in the greater Charleston market and beyond, we"ll eventually see smarter consumers, smarter investors, and smarter personal money managers. We realize that the objective of educating children is a long-term effort that yields positive effects for years to come."