Students awarded opportunity by completing Alec Ingold Money Mini Camp
Alec Ingold Money Mini Camp financial education series in partnership with the Junior Achievement nonprofit organization.
Local students got to meet Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold and tour Allegiant Stadium recently. The lucky 35 received this opportunity from a lottery of several hundred 8th through 12th graders who completed the Alec Ingold Money Mini Camp in partnership with Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada and the nonprofit organization’s financial literacy curriculum.
Ingold hosted several student groups for the experience. They enjoyed a behind-the-scenes journey through Raiders history, including the move to Las Vegas, and the Allegiant Stadium field and the Raiders locker room. Additional stops included the Al Davis Memorial Torch, private suites and clubs, the Raiderettes locker room, Ubeo Press Conference Room, and photo opportunities.
“I’m excited for the kids to get the opportunity to check out where my teammates and I work on Sundays, and hope they use the curriculum and this event to push them to new heights,” said Ingold, during the tour, where he also was recognized for his efforts to promote the importance of financial education to youth. “I believe that financial literacy is the key to reducing the wage gap in America. Every kid should have the opportunity to learn how money works and build strong financial habits at an early age. I’m honored to be recognized by Junior Achievement for something that I love and strongly believe in. Junior Achievement is such a great platform to try and help kids realize the importance of making smart decisions for their future today.”
Ingold turned his passion for finance and football ‒ honed from his University of Wisconsin personal finance degree and football experience ‒ into success on the field and in the community. In addition to scoring the first touchdown at Allegiant Stadium, he was the Raiders’ 2020 nominee for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Given Junior Achievement’s existing curriculum and reach, he joined forces with the nonprofit this year to offer his new Money Mini Camp 14-part virtual series to 8th through 12th grade students throughout the state. It shares important financial life skills and ties various non-football career pathways within the sport by exposing students to ways they can be part of the team that makes game day happen, such as accounting, marketing and public relations. Students hear about these options and the education tract to achieve them, education expectations for job opportunities, managing finances and related lessons. Ingold recruited some Raiders teammates and other league athletes to join him by sharing their personal experience about the series’ various topics in 12 short video lessons, which supplement teacher-led or self-guided materials.
Money Mini Camp culminated in the partnership with JA Finance Park Virtual, Junior Achievement’s interactive online personal financial planning exercise. Ingold hosted a “Tips Before You Play the Game of Life” virtual video session with students before they played the JA Finance Park Virtual Game. During this simulation, students received adult personas, a role within a football organization, income, marital status, credit score, and even kids of their own. Students were tasked with balancing a budget that incorporated more than 26 different financial decisions and bills that are part of managing a household.
Ingold also provided the keynote speech at the JA Inspire online and interactive career exploration program in May, also for 8th through 12th grade Junior Achievement students.
“We’ve been thrilled to partner with Alec. His Money Mini Camp and Raiders affiliation creates a more personal, interesting and realistic way for students to relate to various career opportunities, while gaining real-world financial literacy lessons that will benefit them and ultimately their families,” said Michelle Jackson, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada. “It’s a perfect complement to our financial education programming, and we’re pleased to recognize him for his advocacy and investment in Nevada students at his Raiders home and in front of some student beneficiaries.”
The Alec Ingold Money Mini Camp was offered to students through their schools completely free of charge. For information on next year’s program, teachers or school representatives should call Kelly DeGuzman at Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada at kelly.deguzman@ja.org or 702-214-0502.
About Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada
Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, Inc. was founded locally in 1996. The organization is dedicated to providing financial education to students K-12, with a curriculum that spans from budget management to economic principals, workforce skills and credit. Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada reaches more than 20,000 students annually in the Las Vegas area with the help of 285 businesses and 6,800 business role models. For more information visit https://jasnv.org/ and follow on Instagram and Facebook.
About Junior Achievement USA® (JA)
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches 4.5 million students per year in 115 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.8 million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.
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