Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield honoured her Ministry?s 64 summer students with a reception at the Botanical Gardens Visitor?s Centre on Thursday.

?I just wanted to bring all of the students together,? she said. ?They are from five departments in the Ministry of the Environment ? Parks, Conservation Services, Planning, Environmental Protection and Ministry Headquarters.

?During the course of the time that they are here with us we may not be able to greet them all. Therefore, we felt it was very important that we bring them all together here at the Visitor?s Centre to socialise and share about the things they are doing in their various summer jobs.?

The event was a first for the Ministry ?and we sure would like to do it again,? Ms Butterfield added.

?What better way to get to know these young people that work for the Government than to have a nice little gathering like this.?

The Ministry offers a wide range of areas of work to its summer interns and students spoke with on Thursday offered glowing reviews of the programme.

Mercedes Dowling liked the programme so much she has returned for a second summer in the Planning department.

?I basically want to work there because it?s something different,? she said. ?I want to be a paediatrician but it?s something to fall back on.

?I?ve learned a lot ? it?s really taught me how Planning works and I want to learn more.?

Berkeley Institute graduate Murricea Iris, 18, is spending her summer working in the office at Parks Department. ?Everyone in Parks is very helpful and welcoming,? she said. ?Even if I don?t come back next year, I?ll be back to visit because of the bond that I was able to create with the other staff.?

?Basically, if the opportunities are there seize them because you never know what will happen for you,? Murricea added.

Kyla Smith, 19, has been a summer student at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo for three years.

Her job falls under the Department of Conservation Services. ?I do most of the maintenance in the tank (North Rock Exhibit) while I dive,? she said. ?I also do the dive talks for the tourists.?

Kyla, who clearly loves her job, said the summer student programme is great for anyone interested in marine animals or marine maintenance. Her plan is to become a marine biologist.

Bermuda?s lifeguards also fall under the summer student programme.

Emily Leitch, 21, has worked as a lifeguard with the Parks Department for five years.

She and fellow lifeguard Daniel Woods, 16, were previously on local swim teams.

Both followed older siblings into the programme but also thought the job sounded like a fun way to spend the summer.

Each year, being a lifeguard requires a re-certification in CPR, first aid and a physical fitness test.

?It is a rewarding job and knowing that I am qualified in CPR, that I can save someone?s life, is good feeling,? Emily said.

The summer student programme is open only to students of high school and university age. Students must fill in applications at the Labour and Training Department no later than early December in order to register for the programme for the following summer. Applications allow students to state their preferred area of work as well.