From an article in the Anderson Independent-Mail:
While most students go to camp to perfect their tennis swing or cheerleading skills, a group of about 30 teenagers from across the country spend last week at Clemson University learning more about economics.
Thatâ??s right — economics summer camp.
Itâ??s designed for exceptional incoming seniors with a passion for public policy and economics. Thanks to a grant from BB&T, the students attend the camp for free and even make some money for going. They are reimbursed 45 cents for each mile they have to travel up to $300.
Steven Shiflett, a 17-year-old Belton-Honea Path High School student, said he was paid about $50.
On paper, the camp sounds boring, but the studentsâ?? eyes lit up when they got started talking about Ayn Randâ??s “The Fountainhead,” one of two books they were supposed to read before camp. After only the first two days, they were explaining how free trade affects the textile industry and BMW Manufacturing Co.â??s effects on the Upstate.
“Off the top of your head, youâ??d be like â??Economics camp? Thatâ??s whack,â?? ” said Atif Choudhury, 17, of Irmo High School in Columbia.
Mr. Choudhury plans to be a doctor, and Mr. Shiflett, who was in his small discussion group, wants to study aeronautical engineering. But they agreed the week of economics education was fun and would be useful in the future no matter what their career.
“You should always just have a background in economics,” Mr. Shiflett said. “You never know when itâ??ll be useful.”
See the full article for more.