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The Exchange City Day
Children arrive at Exchange City with their job assignments complete, their government officials selected, their laws finalized, and their business plans complete. After a brief welcome and orientation, they begin to organize and start up their businesses. Work is organized, bank loans applied for and sample products designed and produced.
At the morning’s town meeting, the Mayor describes the City’s services, and the Judge reviews the laws and fines for violations. Each shop owner makes a brief presentation to announce their business name and location, the goods or services available, and the applicable prices.
The City begins to hum as payroll checks are delivered, and the children begin to take their assigned breaks, deposit their paychecks, and visit the Snack Shop for lunch. They will shop, and may custom order an item from one of the retail shops. News reporters sniff out story leads, the police patrol Exchange City’s streets, and the Broadcast Center play tunes, reads its sponsors’ ads, and makes announcements.
As the day wears on, each business owner works with his or her accountant to assess the shop’s financial condition. Are goods and services being sold at the projected pace? Will we be able to pay off our bank loan and make a profit? Who is late coming back from break? How do I deal with a disgruntled customer?
Each business group meets again to review their progress against their business plan, and make adjustments in strategies as needed. Each business has an adult volunteer who helps the children define their problems and successes, and to focus their problem-solving efforts. The volunteer consults and advises, but it is up to the children to carry out the day’s activities.
Exchange City closes with another town meeting. The Mayor and Judge give speeches to inform the citizens of the day’s activities, the City Engineer reports on energy usage, and the Bank President presents certificates to the businesses that paid off their loans. The Newspaper distributes the paper, and the citizens prepare to go home.
Follow-up Activities
Children will reflect upon their experiences, and reconcile their personal and business bank accounts. They will review their business plan and consider its successes and problems. Were our prices too high or too low? Was our advertisement catchy and clear? Have our career interests been changed or reinforced by the experience? How do we use what we have learned?
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