Well, the Hawaii Council on Economic Education wants to show teenagers that that doesn’t have to be the case. 

The council is inviting Hawaii high schoolers to apply for its second annual Summer Economics Academy, which runs June 19 through July 18 at Maryknoll School. The academy is replete with field trips to local businesses in industries such as manufacturing, tourism and real estate. Only two days of the week are spent in the classroom, and those sessions cover relevant topics including entrepreneurship, gross domestic product and the banking system. 

Public school students can also earn up to one credit for their  graduation requirements. 

From a press release:

Led by nationally award-winning economics teacher Lance Suzuki, students will learn economics and financial literacy concepts first-hand by taking behind-the-scenes tours of local businesses and developing personal financial plans integrating college and career choices. 

Classes run Mondays through Thursdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuition is $350 per student, though scholarships are available for students who submit a letter of recommendation from an educator and a two-page essay. Applications are being accepted through the end of May can be found at hcee.org.

Courtesy of 401(K) 2013.