The Youth Capital Initiative Summer 2025 course, themed Investire, crescere, ducere — Invest, Grow, Lead, is an eight-week virtual program designed for students aged 12–16. Held weekly on Mondays at 6:00 PM EST from June 23 to August 11, the course introduces foundational financial literacy in an engaging, age-appropriate format through interactive Zoom sessions.

 

The program begins by exploring the concept of money—what it is, why it matters, and how to distinguish between needs and wants—culminating in an activity where students build a dream budget. In the second session, participants learn smart saving habits and spending strategies, including a $100 Savings Mission challenge. The third week dives into banking fundamentals, the differences between debit and credit cards, and the concept of interest through a game called “Bank or Bust.”

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Students are introduced to investing in week four, covering stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrency, followed by a hands-on activity using simulated investments. Week five builds on that by teaching the principles of risk, reward, and diversification as students construct mock portfolios.

 

In session six, students explore entrepreneurship by identifying strong business ideas and learning from teen-led ventures. They then apply their knowledge in week seven by analyzing a real company, like Nike or Roblox, using fundamental, technical, and income analysis tools. The course concludes with a final reflection session featuring a recap quiz, optional project submissions (budget, portfolio, or business plan), digital certificates, and a group celebration. This summer experience empowers students to build financial confidence and leadership skills for life.