AISES Adventures Family Night - FREE

Interactive financial education that empowers Native students while providing a fun, family engagement experience.

Partner with us to host an AISES Adventure Real Life Simulation for your Native American students and their families.

This interactive family night builds financial literacy while honoring cultural perspectives.

About AISES Adventures Family Night

AISES Adventure Real Life Simulation is a hands-on program where Native students, along with their family, explore the real-world responsibilities of adulthood. Participants are given a career, salary, and family scenario, then make decisions about housing, childcare, transportation, and other expenses—learning what it takes to balance a monthly budget.

This culturally responsive, research-based experience strengthens financial literacy, decision-making, and career planning skills while enhancing family engagement and preparing students for success beyond high school. Through a recent grant, AISES is providing two Minnesota schools near the Twin Cities with the opportunity to host this unique program, expanding access to real-world learning for Native youth and families.

What’s Provided to Indian Education Programs/School to Offer This Simulation

✔ Consultant to support with planning and coordinating the experience (see section "What 4DECS Provides" for more insight)

✔ $200 towards incentives for participants (end of simulation "prize" and/or station supplies)

✔ Gift Cards for 15 volunteers to support the simulation ($50 gift cards)
✔ Funding for family night meal to students and their families

✔Complimentary AISES Financial Cents simulation kit to host future events

Helpful Insights

Eligible Locations: Schools and Indian Education programs in the Twin Cities metro and western Wisconsin are eligible. See the RED shaded area on the map for supported cities. Minneapolis and Saint Paul schools will be supported at the AISES National Conference in Fall 2025.
Event Duration: Most simulations run 60–90 minutes. Allow an extra 30 minutes if serving a meal.
Group Size: Works best with 20–40 students/people per event session.

How It Works

Interested schools should contact 4DECS to express their interest in hosting this one-night experience. Thanks to a grant from AISES, only two Minnesota schools will receive this opportunity at no cost. Once those schools have been identified, the free option will close. Other districts and Indian Education Programs are encouraged to explore our AISES Adventure Real Life Simulation Paid Option to bring this experience to their communities.

Once selected, Indian Education Programs/schools will need to sign simple agreement to collaborate with 4DECS to offer the event.

Programs/schools will collaborate with a 4DECS consultant through 2–3 planning sessions (in person or virtual) to create a customized project timeline. Together, we will review logistics, identify staff/volunteers, and prepare all materials needed to deliver a smooth and engaging event.

Schools will have until April 2026 to implement their Family Night. This gives districts the flexibility to align with existing events such as parent nights, Indian Education gatherings, or college readiness programming. By offering this simulation, schools provide Native students and families with a culturally responsive, interactive learning experience that strengthens financial literacy.

📩 Contact 4DECS today to reserve your spot

—only two free opportunities are available.

What 4DECS Provides

When you partner with 4DECS to host the AISES Adventure Real Life Simulation (FREE option), we will provide:

Expert facilitation & coordination led by an experienced simulation facilitator.
2–3 planning sessions (in person or virtual) to develop a smooth project timeline.
Complete station kits & materials including budget sheets, signage, and facilitator guides.
Access to a volunteer sign-up platform, if needed.
Room layout plan & event run-of-show to ensure an organized flow.
Student and family reflection prompts and AISES survey plus take-home resources to extend learning beyond the event.
Post-event summary report, including photos and key highlights for your program records and school reporting.

What Schools Will Need To Provide

To successfully host the AISES Adventure Real Life Simulation, schools/Indian Education programs are asked to provide:

Event point person to coordinate details with the 4DECS consultant and attend 2–3 pre-event planning meetings.
Event host to welcome participants and read opening instructions (while 4DECS trains volunteers simultaneously).
Event space with 10-12 rectangle tables for stations, each with 2 chairs for volunteers.
Staff/volunteers (minimum 12, maximum 15) such as teachers, counselors, community partners, or family volunteers to run stations.
Family outreach, using email/flyer text, and social media.
Group discussion space for debriefing with students and families after the simulation.