For Parents & Guardians
A safe, free way for your teen to learn investing
The Papyrus Summer Trading Challenge is a six-week financial-literacy competition for high schoolers. Your teen builds a portfolio with $100,000 in virtual cash and competes on a leaderboard — learning real investing skills without a cent of real money involved.
No real money — ever
Every dollar is virtual. There are no deposits, no withdrawals, no brokerage account, and nothing your teen can lose. It's a simulation.
Free, with no payment info
Entry is completely free. We never ask for credit cards, bank details, or any payment information — from you or your teen.
Minimal data
We collect only what's needed to run the contest: a name for the leaderboard and a sign-in email. Your email is optional and used only for occasional updates.
Genuinely educational
Participants learn how markets work, how to research companies, and how to think about risk — by doing, in a safe, consequence-free environment.
What your teen will learn
- ✓How the stock market actually works — prices, returns, and diversification.
- ✓How to research real companies and ETFs before investing.
- ✓Why steady, disciplined decisions usually beat impulsive bets.
- ✓How to handle ups and downs without real-world consequences.
Safety & privacy
The contest is open to participants 13 and older. We deliberately keep data collection minimal — a display name, a sign-in email, and optional details like grade and school that help us understand who's taking part.
During enrollment, your teen can add a parent or guardian email. It's optional, and if provided we'll use it only to send you occasional updates and the final standings — never marketing, never shared or sold.
Because this is a simulation and not a financial product, your teen is never exposed to real markets, real losses, or any real financial risk.
Questions? Read the full rules for exactly how the contest and its prize work. Enrollment opens June 17, 2026.