Throughout the 2016/17 school year, mountain communities will visit Denver to participate in Junior Achievement’s JA Destination Success program. Students will visit three Denver-area businesses to gain insights into the workplace and the skills needed to succeed. Steamboat Springs Middle School students, for example, are partnered with Comcast, Noble Energy and Root Sports. Professionals from these organizations will take students on a tour of their companies, introduce them to a variety of people who work in different roles, share the goals and challenges of their businesses and answer students’ questions. A variety of Denver businesses will participate in the program throughout the year.
After participating in the job shadow experiences, students will go to JA Finance Park where they’ll learn about personal financial management. They will be given life scenarios and asked to establish a budget and make financial decisions about everything from housing, energy and food, to education, entertainment and savings.
“JA Finance Park is one of JA’s most popular and interactive learning experiences,” says Sally Messinger, JA’s district manager of mountain communities. “JA Destination Success is a wonderful opportunity for students from outlying communities to go to Denver and participate in JA’s full middle school program suite through a two-day immersion and an overnight stay at a downtown hotel. The experience empowers teens to make tough decisions about how to best prepare for their educational and professional futures.”
Students spend their second day in Denver participating in JA Start it Up at the Auraria Campus. Auraria is home to the University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver and Community College of Denver. Students also will tour the campus and get a feel for college life.
“Steamboat Springs Middle School is looking forward to experiencing JA Destination Success,” said Jerry Buelter, principal of Steamboat Springs Middle School. “They will come away from the program with hands-on experience in personal financial management, and will gain exposure to business leaders, career possibilities and the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and future.”
Students are scheduled to participate in JA Destination Success at the following times:
Eagle County School District, middle school students in the AVID program: Nov. 17 – 18
Steamboat Springs Middle School: Oct. 20 -21, January, March and May
Summit Middle School: January 25-26
