GET
IN THE
GAME
Earn a $500 real trading account through community service. Trade it during camp. Pass the exam and earn $750 more. Win the 6-month competition and take home $5,000.
STUDENT ROSTER
Camp begins June 8, 2026 · 17 Students · Grand Prize: $5,000
| Student | Status | Pre-Camp | Acco |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Kaytra | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 2Eddy | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 3Finley | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 4Maggie | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 5Nolah | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 6Grace | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 7George | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 8Lotus | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 9Hunter | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 10Siri | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 11Otis | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 12Jack | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 13Sacha | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 14Kashlynn | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 15Kayla | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 16Sadie | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
| 17Hunter | Enrolled | Community Service In Progress | $500.00 |
NOT A
SIMULATION.
Every other finance program hands you fake money and calls it learning. We don't. Students trade real capital, face real consequences, and build real conviction. That's what makes Finance Camp unforgettable.
Real Money
Students trade actual capital in live markets — not a simulator.
Real Stocks
NYSE, NASDAQ, real tickers, real price action, real decisions.
Real Stakes
Earn a $500 account, pass the exam for $750 more, then compete 6 months for the $5,000 grand prize.
Real Access
Mentors with 40+ years on Wall Street. Connections that matter.
5 Days.
5 Levels Up.
From zero to portfolio in five intense, exhilarating days. No finance background required.
Markets 101
- How markets work
- History of stock exchanges
- Major crashes & panics
- Brokers, bankers & buyers
- Bull vs. bear
- Your first trade
Fundamentals
- Reading financials
- Reading balance sheets
- P/E, EPS, Revenue
- Sector analysis
- Build your thesis
Risk & Strategy
- Diversification
- Stop-loss logic
- Position sizing
- Market psychology
- Using AI to aid your research
- Lunchtime etiquette
Live Trading
- Full trading day
- Real-time decisions
- Is cryptocurrency for you?
- Pitch your picks
- Mentor Q&A
Championship
- Final portfolio review
- Reading earnings reports
- Exam — 75% earns $750 bonus
- Investor mindset
REAL MONEY.
EVERY STEP.
Finance Camp is the only program where students earn, trade, and compete with real dollars — from day one through year end.
RON
SPEAKER
Ron Speaker's finance career began humbly in 1985 with a $5-an-hour internship in the mailroom at Janus Capital. What he didn't know was that he'd joined a rocket ship. Over the next two decades, Ron witnessed and contributed to Janus's explosive growth from $600 million to over $330 billion in assets under management as the firm rode the tech boom.
Rising through the ranks from mailroom to securities analyst to portfolio manager, Ron eventually managed several billion-dollar fixed income funds within the renowned equity house. Throughout this remarkable 21-year journey, he had the privilege of learning from some of Wall Street's most legendary figures.
After leaving Janus, Ron founded and operated his own investment firm for 15 years before transitioning to administering a private family foundation for one of his cherished mentors. Driven by the transformative mentorship he received, Ron now pays it forward through Finance Camp — teaching teens to harness the power of compounding early in life.
After leaving Janus, Ron founded Equus Private Wealth, his own investment firm, which he operated for 15 years before transitioning to administering a private family foundation for one of his cherished mentors.
Ron is also a guest columnist for Mid-Life Male magazine, where he writes the finance column — bringing Wall Street wisdom to everyday investors navigating the second half of life.
He has been happily married for 22 years and is the proud father of twin boys. Ron and his family are deeply rooted in Carbondale, Colorado, where he remains active in the Roaring Fork Valley community.
NEWS &
PRESS.
Stay up to date on Finance Camp announcements, press coverage, and camp news.
Finance Camp Opens Applications for Summer 2026 Session
The Finance Camp, the only teen bootcamp in the country where students trade real money in live markets, has officially opened applications for its Summer 2026 session in Basalt, Colorado. Spots are limited and the program is 100% free to attend. The top performer takes home $5,000.
2025 Champion Takes Home $5,000 Grand Prize
Last summer's Finance Camp champion grew their $1,250 account the most over the 6-month post-camp competition, earning the $5,000 grand prize.
Finance Camp Featured in Roaring Fork Valley News
Local media spotlights the Finance Camp's unique approach to financial literacy — putting real money in the hands of teens from day one.
Finance Camp Est. 2023 — Recap of Our First Two Years
Founder Ron Speaker reflects on two years of Finance Camp, the lessons learned, and what's ahead for the most unique teen finance program in the country.
READY TO
INVEST?
Earn a real $500 trading account through community service. Trade it during camp, pass the exam for $750 more, then compete through year end for the $5,000 grand prize. Applications close April 15th.
Summer 2026 In Process — Camp Begins June 8thAges 13–18 · No prior finance experience required · Basalt, Colorado
FOLLOW THE
JOURNEY.
Get behind-the-scenes content, student highlights, market insights, and camp updates. Join the Finance Camp community on Instagram.
