Mary Winchell, Education Coordinator for the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo at Flatts Village, suggests that the Aqua Camp programme is an excellent learning experience for primary school children.

What are the aqua camps about? Mrs. Winchell, explained: "Aqua Tots is a week-long, half-day programme, 9 a.m.-12 noon, for children who will be starting school in September. The camp takes place in the Discovery Room with visits to relevant exhibits each day and includes art/craft activities, stories, poems, games and interaction with animals. A different group of animals is focused on each day. Fruit juice and snack is provided. Fourteen children are in each group with a teacher and assistant. All activities are carefully supervised.'' The course costs $50.

"Aqua Kids & Aqua Fun Camps are week-long programmes, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students from Primary 1 and 2 (Kids) and Primary 3-4 (Fun). Through the use of games, poems, plays, art/craft and science investigations, the children are engaged in learning, in a `fun' way, about their environment and the animals at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.'' Swimming/wading/snorkelling take place each day; two field trips a week are included in the programme. All activities are carefully supervised. There are 18 students in a group with a teacher and an assistant. Cost: $100.

"Aqua Zoo Camp is a week-long programme, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., for students from Primary 5 and 6. The programme includes, microscope investigations, the study of a marine habitat, art and craft activities, field trips and some animal husbandry.

"The focus is on the marine environment with the children snorkeling each day. We recommend that the children be reasonable swimmers. All activities are carefully supervised. There are 18 students in each group with a teacher and an assistant.'' Cost: $100.

After camp care is available for an additional $6 per day, from 3 p.m.-5.30 p.m.

The camps will begin on June 29 and will run through August 28, 1998. The deadline for applications is 4.30 p.m. on Friday.

Aqua camps are open only to members of the Bermuda Zoological Society, with a minimum of a family membership. Your membership must be current for the 1998-99 membership year (valid until 31 March 1999) at the time of application. The membership fee will increase after April 1.

ships may be included in the same cheque. For further information, telephone Mrs. Winchell at 293-2727 ext. 116.

AQUA TEACHER -- Mary Winchell, education coordinator at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo in Flatts Village, gives lectures and plans the summer Aqua Camp Programmes which cater to children of primary school age.

Graphic file name: WINCH