8th Grade  Reality Store®

History of INFBPW/Crawfordsville Reality Store®

In 1994 the 1st Reality Store® in Crawfordsville was held in the 4-H building.

The reaction of students and teachers (the INFBPW Reality Store® is now in partnership with The Indiana Department of Education) left no doubt that we had a unique teaching tool that enhanced the school curriculum. It is a work in progress. In 2002, we added a voting booth, which was well staffed by the League of Women Voters who effectively explain the importance of voting in elections and the basic mechanics of voting.

How It Works

There are three components to the Program.
1. Classroom Preparation – a manual for the classroom helps students prepare for the Reality Store® experience.
2. Reality Store® Event – Students are to “pretend” they are 28 years old. They will visit a series of stations at which they will spend their projected monthly income on living expenses. INFBPW/Crawfordsville members and area business people and/or parents staff the stations.
3. Follow-up – Students complete an evaluation form as they leave.

Financing

We receive money for the Store through grants, fundraising and donations. Our cost for the last few years has been slightly under $2,000.00 per year and has been covered by soliciting donations from many different sources. The community is very generous with their time as well as monetary contributions.
For more information contact our Reality Store® Chair  to see how you can be a part of this wonderful experience.

Volunteers

If you would like to help out we can always use the extra help. Once you have spent a day at the Reality Store® you can’t wait until the next year. It is very rewarding and eye opening to help the leaders of tomorrow get a dose of Reality!

“Now I know why my Mom says money doesn’t grow on trees.“

” I’m going home and apologize to my mother – immediately,” from Tuttle Middle School student in 2009.