In the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District, a group of elementary school students huddle around tablet screens, deeply focused on something unexpected: budgeting worksheets. This isn’t your typical summer camp with crafts and outdoor games. It’s Money Matters, an innovative financial literacy program designed to equip children as young as seven with essential money management skills many adults still struggle to master.
“We’re seeing a critical gap in financial education nationwide,” explains Carmen Rodriguez, the program’s founder and former fintech executive. “Most children receive no formal financial education until high school—if at all. We’re changing that narrative by starting early.”
The five-day camp blends play-based learning with practical financial concepts. On my visit, I observe third-graders enthusiastically participating in a mock farmers market where they must make purchasing decisions with limited “camp cash.” What strikes me most is how naturally the children grasp concepts that many adults find challenging.
“Kids are incredibly receptive to financial concepts when presented at their level,” Rodriguez tells me as we watch a group debate whether to spend their remaining funds on stickers or save for tomorrow’s activity. “They haven’t developed the emotional relationships with money that often complicate adult financial behaviors.”
According to research from the University of Cambridge, money habits and attitudes begin forming as early as age seven. Yet the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority reports that only 21 states require high school students to take courses in personal finance. This educational gap has real consequences: the average American carries over $96,000 in debt, per the Federal Reserve’s latest data.
The Money Matters curriculum addresses this gap by teaching age-appropriate lessons in earning, saving, spending, and even basic investing. “Yesterday we learned about stocks!” eight-year-old Amelia proudly tells me, explaining how her team invested virtual dollars in companies they recognized, like Disney and Apple.
Technology plays a central role in the camp’s approach. Children use simplified banking apps designed for educational purposes, allowing them to track spending, set savings goals, and visualize financial choices. While some may question introducing digital financial tools to young children, Rodriguez defends the approach.
“These kids are digital natives who will manage money primarily through technology,” she explains. “We’re teaching responsible digital financial habits from the beginning rather than trying to retrofit them later.”
The program also emphasizes ethical dimensions of money management. During my visit, campers engage in thoughtful discussions about distinguishing needs from wants and understanding how purchasing decisions affect communities and the environment.
Parents report seeing immediate behavioral changes. “My daughter now asks about the price of things and whether purchases are ‘needs’ or ‘wants,'” says Michael Chen, whose nine-year-old is attending for the second year. “She’s even started a small business selling homemade bookmarks to earn money for a goal she set.”
The camp isn’t without critics. Some early childhood experts caution against introducing financial pressure too young, while others question whether concepts like investing are developmentally appropriate for elementary students.
Dr. Elisa Sharma, developmental psychologist at UC Berkeley, offers a balanced perspective: “Financial literacy education for children should focus on foundational concepts like delayed gratification and thoughtful decision-making rather than creating stress around money. When done correctly, early financial education can be extremely beneficial.”
What makes Money Matters particularly noteworthy is its accessibility. While the weeklong program costs $350, nearly 40% of participants attend on full scholarships funded by local businesses and financial institutions. This commitment to economic diversity enriches the learning environment.
“We deliberately create economically diverse cohorts,” Rodriguez explains. “Children learn that regardless of their starting point, smart money management can help them reach their goals.”
As summer programs nationwide focus predominantly on academics or recreation, San Francisco’s Money Matters camp represents a growing recognition that financial literacy deserves equal attention. With expanded programs planned for five additional Bay Area locations next summer, this model could soon influence similar initiatives nationwide.
For the children building miniature budgets on a foggy San Francisco morning, money isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about developing the decision-making skills that will serve them throughout their lives. And that might be the most valuable summer lesson of all.
