GETTING TO BIZ CAMP Students can obtain applications for the Bermuda Biz Camp from Bank of Bermuda branch locations, the Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce or from the Babson Alumni Club's web-site at: www.geocities.com/bda--babson--alumni Students interested in going into business for themselves are being called to apply for a spot in a summer camp for young entrepreneurs.

The idea for the camp, which will run in August, was launched last year when the Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce Advisory Board (ECAB) began looking at possible ways to educate and inform the public about E-commerce.

After researching the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship's (NFTE) Entrepreneurial Business Camp in the US, the Ministry determined that young people in Bermuda would benefit from a similar opportunity.

So the Babson College Alumni Club of Bermuda, in conjunction with the ECAB Education Sub-Committee and the Bermuda College have arranged for NFTE to develop a new camp on the Island coined the Bermuda BizCamp programme.

Fashioned after the camp held at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., the camp will educate and inform young people about E-commerce and will be sponsored by the Bank of Bermuda.

Young people between the ages of 15 and 19 are invited to apply for a place in the programme by July 28.

And 18 students will be accepted into the free week-long trial programme that will begin August 7 and culminate with a business plan competition on August 11.

The trial run will assess whether such a programme is warranted on the Island and gauge whether Bermudian teachers should teach the NFTE curriculum.

If this year's project is successful, the camp will run for two to three weeks in future summers.

Doug Selley, vice president and business banking manager at the Bank of Bermuda, stressed that the camp was an excellent opportunity for a young person.

"This is a unique camp which will provide 18 young Bermudians with background on one of Bermuda's fast-growing fields of E-commerce, as well as the entrepreneurial framework indigenous to Bermuda.

"Education is such an important part of a young person's development, and we are pleased to be sponsoring such a topical camp.

"We encourage any young student who may be going into business for themselves to apply for this opportunity.'' Mr. Selley also noted that young people considering going into business for themselves must prepare for their futures early in advance.

"It is important that potential entrepreneurs plan well ahead for any new business venture they may be thinking about,''he said.

And Marisa Hall, chair of the ECAB education sub-committee and co-founder of the Babson Alumni Club of Bermuda, said the camp would provide another option for vacationing students.

"The end objective is to make this a familiar and fundamental option during the summers for secondary and college students.'' President and co-founder of the Babson College Alumni Club of Bermuda, George Jones, added that it was imperative that Bermuda embrace E-commerce.

"We believe that the entrepreneurial and business skills that are the focus and hallmark of a Babson education are ideal for helping us help ourselves and our beloved Island to continue to provide the pivotal role in international business that it has held since the sinking of the Sea Venture ,'' he noted.

Students can obtain applications from Bank of Bermuda branch locations, the Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce or from the Babson Alumni Club's web-site (www.geocities.com/bda--babson--alumni).