Hours: 5 (includes 1-hr orientation)
Grades: 4th-6th
Small Group size: 5-10
Fun: Guaranteed
Impact: Immeasurable!
Volunteer Arrival and Training
Volunteers are asked to arrive at JA North in St. Paul one hour prior to student arrival for an onsite volunteer training, facilitated by our Experiential Learning Center staff. JA staff will get volunteers set up in their assigned JA BizTown businesses, meeting with each to run through the unique features of each business.
Can't attend the onsite training? Please email volunteer@janorth.org to request a recording of the onsite training.
JA staff are available to assist and answer questions throughout the entire day!
Student Arrival
Upon student arrival, students will enter the Learning Lab and gather together as a large group for a Student Welcome. JA Staff will review the students' goals for the day and cover a few ground rules. Students and volunteers will then break off to their individual businesses to start the day.
JA Staff will be in charge of the schedule, including transitions and announcements, to ensure that the day runs smoothly.
See below for an example schedule of a typical JA BizTown day:
Morning Staff Meeting (~20 minutes)
Students will be in their shops, with their small business groups (4-8 students per shop). All students will attend their Morning Staff Meeting with their small group
Volunteers will greet the students, pass out lanyards and debit cards, and then help their student CEO lead the Morning Staff Meeting; using the script provided in the volunteer manual
Extra time may be used by students to preview their job clipboards
Opening Town Meeting (~20 minutes)
All students attend a full-group meeting in the center of BizTown. The mayor will be sworn into office, and the CEO's of each business will give a short speech about the products and services their businesses provide.
Volunteers are encouraged to watch and support the students
Business Startup Time (~20 minutes)
Students will return to their shop and start preparing their business to open; entering payroll information, receiving and pricing retail items, and reading their job clipboards.
Volunteers will support their small business group in their shop, providing advice and encouraging students
Work/Break Rotations #1 (~90 minutes)
Students deposit their paycheck and have lunch during their assigned break.
There are three (3) break rotations, corresponding to the color lanyards that students are given
Volunteers are encouraged to take their lunch break during this time
When not lunching, volunteers should stay in their business shop and serve as mentors to students who are not currently on break. Cheer them on and help them to problem-solve!
Mid-day Staff Meeting (~10 minutes)
All students return to their business for a brief Mid-day Staff Meeting
Students receive their second paycheck via direct deposit
Volunteers assist their student CEO with leading the Mid-day Staff Meeting script provided in the volunteer manual
Work/Break Rotations #2 (~60 minutes)
Students have a second round of shorter breaks, during which they can go shopping, vote, and enter raffles to win prizes at the end of the day
Volunteers stay in their business shop and serve as mentors to students. Cheer them on and help them to problem-solve!
Clean-Up and Final Staff Meeting (~10 minutes)
Students are tasked with tidying up their shop, making any final business loan payments, and helping make BizTown ready for the next day
Once satisfied with the overall cleanliness of the shop, volunteers can lead the Final Staff Meeting with their student CEO using the Final Staff Meeting script in the volunteer manual
Closing Town Meeting/Awards Ceremony (~15 minutes)
Students gather in the center of BizTown for a final town meeting. Select citizens give short speeches about their day, and raffles for prizes are held. The mayor also hands out a variety of awards celebrating the JA BizTown day!
Volunteers are encouraged to attend and support the students. Once the ceremony is over, volunteers are free to leave.
Check out our parking options and learning labs!