Senior Ashley Park attended the Foundation for Teaching Economics camp this past summer at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. The camp is a one-week economics and leadership program offered to incoming seniors from all across the country. To apply for the camp, interested students must write an essay on leadership.

Park went to the camp to have her first college-type experience and meet new people.

"I liked everything about the camp," she said, "I met a lot of new people that I still keep in touch with."

In July of 2007, Park's sister, Andrea, went to the FTE Boulder camp in Boulder, Colorado, which was also Ashley's first choice. However, she did not get in and went to her second choice.

Thirty three students and teachers from all over the United States and one student from Hong Kong, China attended the camp in July. College professors and high school teachers taught courses on economics to the students in the mornings. In the afternoons, the students participated in various leadership activities, such as a blindfolded walk led by a partner. When not in an economics class or participating in a leadership activity, the students had recreational time which was usually spent playing soccer.

When asked if she would recommend the camp to other students, Park said, "I would definitely recommend it to anyone that is interested in looking to meet new people and have new experiences." She also adds, "You do not need any experience in economics, and you don't have to be interested in pursuing a career in economics. The things you learn are useful no matter what you plan on doing in the future."

Anyone interested in attending the camp can find more information at www.fte.org.