INDIANA Jones has nothing on Bermuda's kids. This summer 49 children aged eight to 14 attended two camps run by the Bermuda National Trust that were rich in archaeology and history, introducing the newest generation of Bermudians to the oldest continuously settled part of their island, the parish of St. George's.

The Treasure Seekers History Camp and the Time Travellers Archaeology Camp had the youth of Bermuda captivated as they learned about their history in a hands-on way - by digging for, washing, sorting and cataloguing artefacts and working alongside archaeologists as they excavated test pits in a property neighbouring St. Peter's Church.

They also learned to crochet, plant seedlings, construct tissue paper flowers, bake banana bread, make mint tea and flavoured ice cubes, practice leaf rubbings, dress clothespin dolls, sew cedar sachets and try to make palmetto shelters.

Dr. Nicola O'Leary, education director of the Bermuda National Trust, said: "The Treasure Seekers History Camp is in its seventh year and the archaeology camp has been run five times now.

"Brent Fortenberry, a Ph.D. student at Boston University, is the head archaeologist of the site that we've hired to come in and help with our ongoing survey of St. Peter's Church grounds and do some archaeology digging in neighbouring properties looking for 17th, 18th and 19th century artefacts."

The Treasure Seekers History Camp's themes rotate each year and are "The Way We Lived", "The Way We Worked" and "The Way We Built. Each theme illuminates different aspects of our heritage by telling stories from Bermuda's history and allowing youngsters to learn from tradition-bearers of today. This year's theme was "The Way We Lived".

The campers explored the town of St. George's, visited old houses and learned about life and communities in olden-day Bermuda.

East End residents such as Esther Zuill and Micky Smith shared their knowledge and skills with the History Campers and they were able to interview the St. George's Town Crier, David Frith, to better understand the Crier's role in old Bermuda. Mrs. Spencer at St. Peter's Church also helped the History Campers understand the historical importance of the church and the part it plays in being part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The History Campers also got a chance to visit the Bermudian Heritage Museum, Tucker House, Mitchell House and the forts at Ferry Reach. These on-site visits helped campers understand how different people from yesteryear lived and contributed to the Bermuda of today.

Tania Stafford, education officer for Bermuda National Trust, said: "Each day the history camp had its own theme. The first day it was community and old houses, the second day was gardening and planting, the third day was clothing, the fourth day was communication where we went to Mitchell House and saw the old print machine in operation, and the last day we went to the forts at Ferry Reach."

With the Time Travellers Archaeology Camp the goal of the project this summer was to examine the origins and evolution of St. Peter's Church, survey the churchyard, provide archaeology training to local volunteers and promote archaeology locally. Thanks to sponsorship from the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, a team of archaeologists under the direction of Brent Fortenberry were able to spend a month in Bermuda to accomplish these tasks.

Dr. O'Leary said: "Archaeology is a process of investigation and that's part of what we wanted to do was take the children through a process. The first step is to investigate and research. Find out what the significance of the site is, what you want to accomplish and achieve and then comes the digging. Most of the campers really love that thrill of discovery for themselves in their very own hands. They do the digging, the sifting, the sorting, the washing, more sorting and cataloguing. We tried to take them through the whole process to get to a place where you know what you found, and what stories the artefacts tell about people long ago. The last step is getting to a point in archaeology where you can display the artefacts to the public. And that happens this Saturday. On August16, there is an open day from 12 to 4 p.m. at St. Peters Church Hall in St. Georges on York Street where people can view the artefacts unearthed by the children."

The junior archaeologist campers were able to unearth pottery, animal bones that had been cut by an olden day butcher, shells, glass, metal objects, a musket ball and a small porcelain doll's head.

Dr. O'Leary said: "The children in Time Travellers camp were able to work with not only Brent but also with the student archaeologists who came with him. For Bermudian children it was a wonderful opportunity to work alongside people who have that passion. Amongst the group the children got to work with there was a volunteer Bermudian, Deborah Atwood, studying at the University of Bristol. The children were able to rub shoulders with those who have chosen it as a career and it's an invaluable experience."

The children who attended the camps had a great time and were enthusiastic, willing to learn and eager to dig. One camper said: "I think it's a great opportunity for discovering and exploring and trying archaeology. This camp was fun and educational all in one."

Dr. O'Leary was very positive about the camps and had this to say about their sponsor: "This programme would not be possible without sponsorship from Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. Their support has really helped us build and continue this program in a value based way for youth to learn their own history and archaeology. They really allow the camp to function, be sponsored, and grow."

People wishing more information on the Bermuda National Trust or their camps may go to www.bnt.bm