MANCHESTER, N.H.–Scouts from around New Hampshire spent a day at the nation’s first credit union earning a merit badge.
St. Mary’s Bank partnered with the Daniel Webster Council to host Scouts as part of the Merit Badge Pro Series. This series enables Scouts to go into businesses to interact with and learn from professionals while earning badges.
“When Scouts go to St. Mary’s Bank, they get an up-close-and-personal view of how a financial institution works, but they also get to see where credit unions started,” said Sam Rushia, Merit Badge Workshop Coordinator at the Daniel Webster Council. “It’s not every day that they get to see where an entire industry was born and how far it has come.”
St. Mary’s Bank has hosted Scouts from Troops 22 (Amherst), 77 (Contoocook), 136 (Epping), 162 (North Hampton), 292 (Hooksett), 312 (Northwoods), and 402 (Derry) for the Personal Management merit badge. Scouts learn how to manage their time, manage their money, and think about their futures.
“As a credit union, financial education plays an important part in what we do,” said Elizabeth Stodolski, Director of Marketing at St. Mary’s Bank and mother of two Scouts. “We teach financial literacy to adults who aren’t always properly equipped to manage money effectively. At a much younger age, these Scouts gain the financial knowledge that can set them up for future financial success. That’s an invaluable life skill.”
As Scouts lay the foundation for that success, they have the unique opportunity to learn from Certified Financial Planner Michael Beck, with the St. Mary’s Financial Services division of St. Mary’s Bank. He helps Scouts understand the difference between investing and saving and the concepts of risk and return.
Stodolski then leads lessons in budgeting, time management, and project planning, and members of the Human Resources team guide Scouts through career exploration. Scouts end the day by learning the history of America’s credit union movement and enjoying a walking tour just up the street to see America’s Credit Union Museum, the birthplace of American credit unions and St. Mary’s Bank’s first home.