Reimagining Financial Education for Young Learners
Kingston Youth Financial Literacy Symposium – St. Lawrence College / Enactus SLC
Role: Dan Hendry
Year: 2018–2019
While working at St. Lawrence College and supporting Enactus SLC, I helped spearhead a project focused on making financial education more accessible, engaging, and relevant for young people. In 2018 and 2019, that idea took shape through the Kingston Youth Financial Literacy Symposium, a multi‑year initiative designed to rethink how middle‑school students are introduced to money management.
At the time, I was serving as Manager of Community‑Based Learning & Innovation and as an advisor to Enactus SLC. My role was to provide the strategic guidance and mentorship needed to help transform a student‑led idea into a large‑scale community event. I worked closely with post‑secondary students to bridge academic learning with real‑world application, supporting them as they took increasing ownership of the project.
My involvement spanned every phase of the symposium’s development. I supported the Enactus team in building a clear project plan capable of coordinating multiple activities, partners, and learning objectives. A key focus of my role was mentorship—helping students design interactive, age‑appropriate activities that presented financial literacy in ways that felt approachable and fun for younger participants. Rather than relying on traditional classroom instruction, the symposium emphasized hands‑on games and breakout sessions to explore topics such as budgeting, spending choices, and financial decision‑making.
Photos Supplied by: CBC Website
I also guided the team’s marketing and communications efforts, supporting outreach to local schools and community partners to clearly communicate the value of the symposium. During the events themselves, I was on site to support logistics and ensure smooth coordination across activities, helping students manage transitions and facilitate engaging experiences for participants.
Strong communication and partner coordination were central to the symposium’s success. We worked closely with local financial institutions, whose staff contributed accurate, practical insights that grounded the activities in real‑world financial contexts while remaining appropriate for a middle‑school audience.
Photos Supplied by: Global News Video
The symposium functioned as a short, immersive introduction to financial literacy—a focused “crash course” that met students where they were. By stepping away from lecture‑based teaching and prioritizing interaction and participation, the project created space for meaningful conversations about money before students entered high school.
This experience reinforced a belief that continues to shape my work: when students are trusted with real responsibility, supported through mentorship, and connected with strong community partners, they can lead initiatives that deliver lasting educational impact well beyond the classroom.
Related Links: A crash course on money management for tweens | CBC News
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