Reality Store is a real world financial simulation for youth.
During this hands-on experience, high school students are given a hypothetical family situation with a career and family. Based on that information they make spending decisions for their household.
Reality Store is designed to:
Seven stations are set up to represent monthly budget categories:
Reality Store is designed to:
- Give youth a glimpse of their future
- Help youth become aware of the need for basic skills of financial planning, decision making, and goal setting
- Motivate youth to examine attitudes about their futures and careers
- Motivate youth to stay in school
Seven stations are set up to represent monthly budget categories:
- Housing (utilities, insurance, furniture)
- Transportation
- Groceries
- Shopping mall (communications, clothing, entertainment, etc.)
- Family Care (child care, health care)
- Career Services
- Financial Center
Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H has been leading the Reality Store in Loudoun County since 2003.
In 2019, the Store successfully delivered the program to the following schools:
In 2019, the Store successfully delivered the program to the following schools:
- Greenway Academy
- Stonebridge High School
- Dominion High School
- Camp Real
- Riverside High School
- Claude Moore Community Builders
- Freedom High School
Interested in booking a program? School responsibilities include:
Contact Priscilla Godfrey for more information:
- Provide 16 tables and 35 chairs; set up tables and dismantle after event (can be rented thru Facilities)
- Assist with recruitment of volunteers providing 15 - 20 volunteers. Invite Parent Teacher Association to participate
- Involve student groups in promoting “Reality Store” (i.e., Student Council Association, Senior Officers, DECA, etc.)
- Provide pencils, laptop, projector, screen and microphones for both Orientation and Debriefing events
- Provide assistance with Store set-up (i.e., parents, student organizations, etc.) Tables/chairs set up by staff
- Provide students or other volunteers for the morning of registration table and parking area guidance
- Provide teacher support in transitioning students on the day of event
- Provide breakfast or light refreshments for volunteers (optional): coffee, pastries, or yogurt, fruit.
- Return completed 4-H Group Enrollment form to VCE office at least two weeks after Store
Contact Priscilla Godfrey for more information:
