Gordon Ford College of Business News

The Center for Financial Success (CFS) at Western Kentucky University is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 2024 Personal Finance Summer Camp targeted towards rising 10th-grade through 12th-grade students. Thanks to the generous and ongoing support of Abound Credit Union, the camp will provide a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in personal finance education and campus life.

Abound Credit Union's commitment to financial education has been exemplified through their continued sponsorship of the Personal Finance Summer Camp. Since joining forces with the WKU Center for Financial Success in 2022, Abound Credit Union has expanded its support, recognizing the positive impact the camp has on students. In 2023, the Credit Union pledged a 3-year sponsorship totaling $75,000 to further empower students with essential financial skills.

“We know the value in laying the foundation for these students,” said Ray Springsteen, President/CEO Abound Credit Union. “This camp will always provide opportunities for students hungry for success. It’s an honor to support it and prove to these students (early on) that we are here for their journey,” said Springsteen. 

The multi-year sponsorship not only supports the camp's operational costs but also provides critical scholarships for attendees, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder students from participating in this transformative experience. Additionally, the funding expands the camp's programming, enhancing the overall educational impact.

The Personal Finance Summer Camp is scheduled to take place from June 9^th to June 13^th. During the five-day program, campers will reside on the WKU campus, engaging in a variety of activities such as personal finance workshops, leadership training, guest speaker sessions, and a financial plan case study competition. The case study requires teams to construct a financial plan for a mock client, culminating in a presentation on the final day. Campers will also have the opportunity to visit local financial firms, where advisors will serve as valuable resources for the case study competition. Throughout the camp, WKU finance students will act as counselors, providing guidance and support.

“The WKU Personal Finance Summer Camp is one of the events we look forward to most each year., said Andrew Head, Director of Center for Financial Success. Not only does our team get to educate campers about lessons and habits that they will use their entire lives, but it is also genuinely fun for everyone involved. We are beyond grateful to Abound Credit Union for all of the support they provide to help make this actually happen!”

To register or learn more about the Personal Finance Summer Camp, please visit https://www.wku.edu/program/fincamp. The Early Bird Deadline is April 15^th.  Don't miss this chance to equip Kentucky's youth with crucial financial skills for a successful future.

WKU’s Center for Financial Success (CFS): The Center for Financial Success is housed in WKU’s Gordon Ford College of Business in Bowling Green, KY. The Center provides resources to aid the university and regional community in becoming financially informed and independent by utilizing a combination of faculty expertise, peer-to-peer coaching, and applied financial planning education. 

Abound Credit Union: Abound Credit Union, a leader in financial education, has been providing valuable banking solutions to help hardworking Kentucky families thrive for 70 years. We’ve grown over the years and now have 18 locations, $2 billion in assets and over 115,000 military and civilian members. The Credit Union was named 2021’s Best Mortgage Lender and Best Financial Institution in The News-Enterprise Readers’ Choice Awards and has been recognized for its leadership in financial education at the state and national level. Abound Credit Union is also proud to be one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky. It’s simple to become a Member, visit our website at www.AboundCU.com to see how you may be eligible.