Captain Cash

Captain Cash is an engaging and interactive educational program designed to teach elementary school* students essential financial management skills. This dynamic curriculum was developed to address the following critical issues:

• Money behaviors learned in childhood affect financial habits in adulthood.
• Children absorb money management messages from their home environment, community, television, and other media which shape their values, attitudes, and future money habits.
• Individuals and families are not able to respond to economic disruptions because they have not learned critical money management concepts and skills.

The Captain Cash program consists of four enrichment sessions, each lasting 30–45 minutes. These sessions focus on four core financial topics: earning, saving, spending, and borrowing money. Students are introduced to essential vocabulary and fundamental economic concepts in a way that is both engaging and practical. To reinforce learning, each session incorporates interactive games, hands-on activities, and take-home materials designed to extend the lessons beyond the classroom to involve families in the learning process.

In addition to promoting financial literacy, the program helps students develop vital life skills such as communication, decision-making, problem-solving, resource management, planning, and organization. These skills are woven seamlessly into the curriculum, preparing students for long-term financial independence.

By empowering students with knowledge and tools, Captain Cash lays the groundwork for a future generation that is better equipped to make informed financial decisions, adapt to economic challenges, and achieve self-sufficiency.

IMPORTANT! If you would like to buy the Captain Cash program and your school/organization resides outside the state of Indiana, once you purchase the program you will be able to share the Captain Cash files with any other organization/academic unit/ Extension office for no additional charge within your home state. You will not, however, be able to pass the program on to anyone outside of your state where your organization resides. Please click the “Add to Cart” button to proceed. If your school/organization is located inside the state of Indiana, please click here to be connected to your county Extension educator to have Captain Cash presented for free.

*In the state of Indiana, Captain Cash is taught to third grade students to meet the state’s academic standards, but the program is successfully presented to students in grades two through five.

What is Included with the Program's Purchase?
• Cloud-based program files for all four lessons including presenter scripts
• Map file (with both male and female Captain Cash), clip-art, and customizable advertising materials
• Pre/post program and teacher surveys
• Resources to enhance Captain Cash presentation success

Materials are delivered in a downloadable zip file approximately 250 MB.

This product is final sale; no refunds will be issued once order is complete.