Last week, more than 120 juniors from Abbotsford High School and Colby High School participated in Test Drive … Next Stop Reality® (Test Drive), a hands-on financial education event presented by the Royal Credit Union Foundation (RCU Foundation).
The RCU Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting education, the arts and health in the communities served by Royal Credit Union, presented the interactive financial simulation to help students build essential life skills and understand real-world financial decisions.
Supported by over 50 community volunteers, the annual event marked its third year in the Abbotsford and Colby communities. Test Drive is an immersive financial education simulation designed to prepare high school students for what it takes to make it on their own as a 25-year-old.
During the simulation, students choose their education level and career, are randomly assigned a family status, and calculate their net monthly salary. They then manage a budget by paying common monthly expenses and making financial decisions within each category, with the goal of making it through the month without running out of money. Through the experience, students gain a better understanding of personal finances and how to prepare for their future.
“Financial education plays a critical role in helping students prepare for life after high school,” said John Sackett, president of the RCU Foundation. “Test Drive gives students the opportunity to apply financial concepts in a realistic setting, helping them better understand the responsibilities and decisions they will face as adults.”
The program’s interactive format allows students to “test drive” adult responsibilities in a safe, educational setting. By collaborating with educators and community partners, the RCU Foundation aims to reach students at a pivotal time, before they enter the workforce or pursue higher education.
“This is such a great opportunity for our students to experience a real world ‘adulting’ simulation,” said Nichole Homeyer, Colby High School business education teacher. “The questions, discussions, and ‘aha’ moments that come out of this event each year make it something truly beneficial for our students and our community.”
By investing in programs like Test Drive, the RCU Foundation reinforces its commitment to building stronger communities through financial education. The program is presented in partnership with sponsoring organizations. To learn more, visit . For information about the RCU Foundation, visit .