Rural AmeriTowne is a hands-on lesson in free enterprise that introduces students to the principles of our economic system by allowing them to run their own life-like town of ten businesses in a rural setting. The program was designed to provide young people with relevant work and life skills.
Before the field trip, Holyoke fifth grade students prepared with interactive lessons in the classroom that focused on banking, civics, free enterprise, advertising, laws, job interviews and more.
During their day at Rural AmeriTowne, students put into practice what they have learned in the classroom. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and swearing-in of elected government leaders marked the official Towne opening. Then students-turned-citizens went to work in the positions they were ‘hired’ for, working together with their co-workers to successfully run their business. As producers and consumers in their own economy, students recognized that their decisions affects their personal and business finances.
