More than 200 youths at the Boys & Girls Club of Massillon took part in a financial education course June 24.

The session offered tips on income savings, paying bills and money management.

First Commonwealth Bank hosted the finance event.

MASSILLON – More than 200 local kids got a taste of young adulthood during an interactive learning session aimed at making sound financial decisions.

First Commonwealth Bank hosted a financial education event June 24 at the Boys & Girls Club of Massillon, offering kids tips on money management, mortgage and utility payments and income savings. The goal was to have some fun, too.

“We’ve got some high-energy kids here. They’re very engaged,” Anna Frank, financial education program coordinator for the bank, said during a midday course break.

In four classes separated by age groups, kids in grade school through high-school simulated a month in the life of a young working adult, making budgeting decisions for responsibilities such as housing costs, transportation and personal debt.

Many of the older participants were assigned a mock job, such as a construction manager, web designer or mechanical engineer, said Frank. They balanced monthly earnings with expenses and purchases.

Kids spent about 10 minutes in specific stations related to employment, utilities, food and clothing, cell phone or iPad, vehicle purchases and housing.

“At the end of each (one-hour) session, they added up (how much money) they made and spent to see how they did,” Frank said.

Adrienne, a 7-year-old Boys & Girls club member, called the class “very good” and said the phone station was her favorite part.

“I learned how to spend money and pay bills,” she said.

Alex Williamson, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls club, lauded the presentation and First Commonwealth for hosting the course.

“We wanted to jump all over this event when (First Commonwealth) brought it to our attention,” he said.

Massillon Boys & Girls Club lessons

The Massillon club is the sole Boys & Girls center in western Stark County.

The center, which started in 1936, serves approximately 1,000 youths in Stark and Wayne counties, ranging from 6 to 18 years old, helping them to achieve academic success, build character and live healthy through mentorship programs.

More than 400 kids are enrolled in the club’s summer program, Williamson said.

The financial education session was part of First Commonwealth’s mission to help improve the financial independence of its neighbors, customers and their businesses, Frank said.

Reach Steven Grazier at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE