I had such an interesting experience today. I was asked to help out with a junior high "reality town." In this activity the kids are given money and a career based on their GPA. So, some of them were doctors with a 7,000 income per month, others were other jobs with 1,700 a month. They had to go to each booth and make a transaction. They all had kids and spouses assigned at random. I was lucky to be able to share this experience with my mom, which was a lot of fun. We were the "entertainment" place. The kids would get to us and want to go on a cruise, but ended up only being able to go camping and some of them had to make payments on even that. I think it was such an eye opening experience for them (I think some of them were a little depressed with "reality"). It was interesting though that they didn't even take into account substance abuse or going out to eat. These are also things that take a lot of people's money. How in the world do people survive!?
Here are some of the other booths. The kids remarked a lot about how far money DOESN'T go. I have to agree with them. It seems like so much at the beginning of the month until you pay for all that you have to and then there is only a little left for the "fun" things.
Here are some of the other volunteers. I really think that people are pretty great. So many people are willing to help with whatever. I have loved being around volunteers so much.
This really was such an interesting activity. I was one of the last people that the kids went to and I would always feel bad when they didn't have enough money for the things they needed. But I guess it really is reality.
3 comments:
That looks like so much fun!! Good for you!
I was able to help out with Reality Town at the Jr High I work at. It is such a neat experience. I have helped out for the last 3 years with this and have loved it. I think it is such a learning experience for these kids.
What a great idea! I think EVERY school should do this! What an eye opening experience!
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