Fayetteville, NC — In a powerful step toward equipping the next generation with essential
money management skills, Money Box Academy Inc., in partnership with the City of
Fayetteville, ACT, and the FTCC Innovation Center, proudly presents the first-ever High
School Financial Literacy Boot Camp for Cumberland County students.
This groundbreaking initiative was designed to combat the alarming statistic that more than
54% of Gen Z feel unprepared to manage their finances after high school (National
Financial Educators Council, 2023). With many young adults falling into cycles of debt,
challenged credit, and limited savings due to a lack of financial education, this Boot Camp aims
to shift the narrative.
Spanning multiple days, this program offers high school students real-world financial
knowledge tailored to their future. “The goal is to ensure students don’t graduate and
immediately get caught in the traps of financial instability just because no one ever taught them
how to budget, manage credit, or make smart financial decisions,” said Crystal McLean,
Founder of Money Box Academy. “As a first-generation college student on both sides of my
family, I know firsthand how much can be lost—money, peace of mind, and time—simply from
not knowing. This program is what I wish I had growing up.”
Immersive Real-Life Simulation
The culminating day of the Boot Camp is a dynamic financial simulation where students take on
roles based on their self-identified career aspirations. Community partners—including
professionals in insurance, banking, entrepreneurship, and investing—will represent real-world
responsibilities and obstacles. Students will be challenged to make financial decisions that
mirror adult life, such as paying rent, managing credit cards, handling emergencies, and
balancing budgets.Each simulation is customized, offering career-aligned scenarios and presenting unexpected
financial curveballs, encouraging students to problem-solve using the knowledge they’ve gained.
Local Leaders, Real Stories
Students will also engage in a live panel discussion featuring local employers, entrepreneurs,
content creators, skilled trades professionals, and investors who will share candid stories of their
own career and financial journeys. These testimonies will highlight the importance of resilience,
budgeting, and adaptability in today’s economy.
Community-Driven, Student-Focused
This Boot Camp is the first of its kind in the region and a reflection of what’s possible when
education, innovation, and community come together. Supported by major local institutions and
fueled by a mission to make financial intelligence the norm—not the exception—this initiative
marks a new era for student readiness in Cumberland County.
To learn more or to partner with this initiative, contact Money Box Academy at
connect@moneyboxacademy.org or sign your High Schooler up at
https://moneyboxacademy.info/mbahsbootcamp while seats last.
