On Friday, December 16, the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and City National Bank hosted a Real Money Business Bootcamp at Jungle Island in partnership with Communities in Schools. The event brought together 70 students from Miami Beach Senior High and Miami Northwestern to help future leaders understand the importance of saving and smart spending. With the help of station sponsors, students traveled around to different areas to participate in a real-life simulation and learned to their own financial decisions.
Students learned to make choices towards a career path as they leave for college as well as the financial implications of paying for their education, housing, transportation, entertainment, fitness, and insurance, and the skills to manage their credit and banking accounts.
“We are delighted to partner with the Miami Beach Chamber for this important educational event,” City National President and CEO Jorge Gonzalez said. “Community is vital to us, and we take immense pride in helping to educate future community leaders on the responsibilities and management of their financial futures.”
The Bootcamp began with fitness guru, Michael Moore, from Hiperfit, and 18 Best Buy volunteers escorting the students off the bus at 8:30 a.m. After a welcome and special treat from Jungle Island, students entered into the Real Money Business Bootcamp in the Garden Out Post section of the jungle. The students each started with a set amount of income and spent 10- 15 minutes at each station making sure to end up with a balanced budget. The different stations included the Florida International University Career Station, The Continental Group Realty Housing Station, Warren Henry Auto Station, Best Buy Entertainment Station, Florida International University College Skills Station, Hiperfit Fitness Station, City National Bank Account Station, State Farm Insurance Section, and City National Bank Credit Station. Based on their appreciation for education and their eagerness to excel, the students were given “bonus money” to spend throughout the day. The experience and education provided by the station volunteers helped each student come out ahead of the game.
Throughout the next month, the student will be asked to complete a one-page essay about their experience. The top three winners will be chosen to receive scholarship money, which will be provided thanks to sponsor donations.
“The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to participate in this educational initiative,” Jason Loeb, Chairman of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, said. “We believe that by supporting these initiatives, we are contributing in the development of our business community and our city.”
The leadership of the Chamber through its 501(c)3 Miami Beach Education Foundation along with City National Bank look forward to working with the community in the future, hosting this event biannually. This is a program that brings together the strengths and resources of the community to support the needs of public education in Miami Beach, which is the mission of the Chamber’s foundation.
