Rather than spend a school vacation day taking it easy, Scouts from around New Hampshire spend a day at the nation’s first credit union earning a merit badge.
 
St. Mary’s Bank has 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,” comments 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.”


Laurie Langevin, Sales & Service Representative, shows Scouts the vault

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,” explains 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.


Michael Beck and Elizabeth Stodolski lead Scouts in a discussion of the types of investments.

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.
 
After a full day, Scouts wrap up their time at St. Mary’s Bank equipped with real-world knowledge that will help them make better decisions about their futures.
 
About the Daniel Webster Council
The Daniel Webster Council of the Boy Scouts of America provides services and youth-development programs to families and community organizations in New Hampshire. Five key focus areas ensure outstanding opportunities for youth and adult members: leadership, achievement, character, service, and outdoors. Learn more about the Daniel Webster Council.

Related Resources
St. Mary's Financial Services
Community Outreach
History of St. Mary's Bank
Financial Literacy