On July 18, Wheelhouse Cards will host an activation of the National’s Youth Collector Clubs Initiative in Wayne, Pennsylvania, inviting young collectors to explore the intersection of hobby and finance.
The event marks the first expansion of a program founded by veteran educator Samuel Evans, which originally launched in Chicago in 2025 and has since been piloted in schools, after‑school programs and live hobby events.
Designed to teach financial literacy, entrepreneurship, negotiation and community development through card collecting, the initiative uses the simple act of gathering cards as a springboard for practical learning.
Participants will learn what drives a card’s value, how to interpret sales trends, and why building a collection around personal passion can become a pathway to entrepreneurship.
Cultivating Collectors of Tomorrow
Samuel Evans, who spent years in the classroom before turning his attention to the collectibles market, says the initiative is about more than nostalgia; it is about equipping the next wave of collectors with tools to navigate an increasingly complex industry.
By framing card collecting as a micro‑economy, the program invites youths to think like investors, to negotiate trades, and to appreciate the cultural history embedded in each card.
The expansion into Pennsylvania underscores a growing recognition that card stores can serve as community classrooms, turning casual hobbyists into informed participants who understand both the sentimental and economic dimensions of their collections.