Students checking out the Chevy Volt included Jonathan Samsel, front left, Catherine Nguyen, Michael Fialkowski and Remington Hill. In the back row are Lane McConnell, Cameron Williams, Destiny Bishop, Christine Parker, Kathryn Sullivan, Mark Barbino, Alexis Rye and Kenneth Howard.

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The Financial Skills for Teens camp at CSM introduced kids 11 to 14 to financial issues and responsibilities.
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Submitted photos Michael Fialkowski at the wheel of a Chevy Volt along with Kenneth Howard, left, Cameron Williams and Jonathan Samsel.

Students checking out the Chevy Volt included Jonathan Samsel, front left, Catherine Nguyen, Michael Fialkowski and Remington Hill. In the back row are Lane McConnell, Cameron Williams, Destiny Bishop, Christine Parker, Kathryn Sullivan, Mark Barbino, Alexis Rye and Kenneth Howard.

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Financial Skills for Teens camp held through the College of Southern Maryland’s Kids’ and Teen College was more exciting than some campers initially thought.

“I thought that this was just a boring class that my parents put me in but it’s a lot better than I thought it would be,” Remington Hill, 12, said in a news release from CSM.

The five-day camp for kids 11 to 14 covered a range of financial skills essential for living responsibly and independently, presented by Christine Parker, a certified financial planner, personal finance writer, instructor and president of Parker Financial LLC in La Plata.

Parker was named one of the greater Washington, D.C., metro area’s “Top Financial Planners” by Washingtonian magazine in 2010.

Lessons included an examination of the basics of financial management, from understanding credit card agreements and credit scores to financing college.

Students were introduced to car financing and lease agreements, federal and state taxes, health, auto and life insurance policies as well as the importance of discipline and organization, particularly as it relates to financial management.

In addition to the nuts and bolts of finances, students learned about social and cultural expectations including language and dress in various social circumstances, such as the job interview process.

As students were learning to compare advantages and disadvantages of hybrid cars, they were visited by Mark Barbino of Ken Dixon Automotive who brought a Chevrolet Volt for students to check out.

Sitting behind the steering wheel, Milton Somers Middle School seventh-grader Michael Fialkowski learned that there is no key or ignition switch.

When a sensor chip is within three feet of the steering column the car will start with the simple push of a button.

“This is so worth it,” Michael said.

“To have a financial planner of Ms. Parker’s caliber as a Kids’ and Teen College instructor is amazing. The lessons these children learn on saving money will help set the stage for a lifetime of financial responsibility. Our hope is that they are also sharing what they learn with siblings and friends maybe even their parents,” CSM Youth Program Coordinator John Terlesky said in the release.

Michael said that he learned about credit cards and bank accounts and “really cool high-tech stuff,” as well as the economy of hybrid cars.