unique experience for some of Bermuda's pre and early teenagers this summer.

Appropriately, the vacation camps will be entitled `Shipwrecked' and will focus on Bermuda's maritime heritage and introduce the Island's youngsters to the magical world of underwater archaeology.

The Bermuda Maritime Museum, which is arranging two, week-long camps for the first time, has decided to target 10-14 year-olds. "This is an age group that seems to have been a bit neglected up to now,'' says biology teacher Cesare Filice, who will be running the camps.

Designed to be both entertaining and educational, participants will participate in a range of activities, ranging from field trips to various sites around the Island, exploring wrecks, researching with graduate students of archaeology, water games and an overnight stay with a scavenger hunt and barbecue.

"We are planning to cover three areas'', says Mr. Filice. "These include maritime history, in which we will be using the museum and library, an introduction to underwater archaeology with Clifford Smith in the snorkel park, and some kind of contribution by the kids to the Maritime Museum. These will be at different levels, but each child will receive crests, badges or certificates acknowledging their contributions. They may,'' he adds, "help to restore or repair something in the museum or on the property. Then, through `role-playing', we hope to show children, in a practical sense, what it would be like to be an archaeologist. For instance, they will `find' various items, such as pieces of pottery or glass, or a telescope, and we will give them special implements so that they can write and sketch underwater.'' Mr. Filice, who first met director of development Jacqueline Horsfield through his volunteer work at the Aquarium, says "She contacted me because the Maritime Museum is keen to develop an educational wing and we thought this could be a pilot scheme to set up an educational programme which could then be expanded.'' Asked if he thought archaeology may seem a remote and academic topic for children, Mr. Smith who is director of conservation and underwater archaeology at the museum comments, "Archaeology is romance! We uncover the secrets of our unwritten history. We are where we are today because of what has happened before our time. Our culture is based on everyday decisions and that's precisely what archaeology discovers. History was written about the elite in society -- not about carpenters, sailors, convicts, indentured servants and slaves. Archaeology represents the common man -- and that's an important thing for young people to understand.'' Mr. Smith, who was born on Nantucket Island, the son of a dragger captain, says that his entire heritage relates to the sea, boats and island life.

With 42 places available for the `Shipwrecked' Camp, Mrs. Horsfield says that first preference will be given to Maritime Museum members, but anyone interested is urged to contact her for further details at 234-1333. Cost is $154 for each `berth' (plus $40 for Museum Family Membership). Deadline for registration is June 4 and the Camps will run from August 10-14 and August 17-21 inclusive.