"The way we built" is the theme of the series of history camps organised by the Bermuda National Trust this summer, and young people between the ages of eight and 11 are offered opportunities to explore the particularly Bermudian way of building ships and houses, and the furniture that went in them. They also dig deep into the construction of the 19th century forts that feature so prominently in the Bermuda landscape.

When the Young Observer caught up with the youngsters on July 22 at Verdmont, they were finding out what it was like to dress "back in the day," an experience eight-year-old Larrissa Simmons described as "nice. I could feel what people wore in the past."

The St. George's Preparatory student was signed up for the camp by her mother, but was more than happy to participate, "because you can learn about all the stuff that happened to Bermuda a long time ago."

The highlight of her week was a visit to the Deliverance, recently restored by the St. George's Foundation, as part of the St. George's experience that also included a visit to the St. George's Historical Society's Mitchell House and the press in Printer's Alley. "I've never been inside it," Larrissa explained. "We saw where people slept and the galley where they cooked. We saw the flag - the cross was red - and I learned more about the Sea Venture."

The visit to St. George's is the Tuesday adventure in the week-long camp sponsored by Axis Capital Holdings that is running for six weeks throughout the summer.

Trust Education Officer Tania Stafford, who is supported by keen adult volunteers, outlined the week's activities, which begin at Waterville in Paget. There, members of the Bermudian architectural community are invited to introduce the key features of Bermudian domestic architecture to the campers. In the afternoon, the young people, supplied with bamboo poles, palmetto fronds, string and a pair of scissors, must construct their own shelter large enough for each team to sit under and strong enough to last the night.

Wednesday sees the young people at Verdmont in the morning, where they can take a closer look at 18th century lifestyles, including fashions and furnishings, and Ronnie Chameau's scale model of the house. In the afternoon they build their own model houses, incorporating some of the architectural details they have learned about.

In addition to exploring the Deliverance to learn about shipbuilding and Bermuda's maritime economy, the campers take advantage of the beautiful exhibition "We are sailing" currently at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. They have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with a fitted dinghy, and make artwork inspired by their favourite painting.

Friday, "the big fun day", cements the children's learning with a visit to Fort Hamilton, where they can see keystones, vaulted ceilings and moats, key features of many fortifications, and think about the changing use of many of our historic properties. An afternoon of old fashioned games closes out the week's activities.

The learning is all well and good, but the element that featured most in the minds of the young people interviewed was "fun."

Hayley Dill chose to attend because she had been at two previous BNT camps "and I thought it was really fun, so I wanted to come back again." The nine-year-old elaborated, "I liked it because you get to learn things about Bermuda's history and see the places." For her, the treasure hunt in the grounds of Waterville was the most enjoyable activity.

Though not keen to live in the past, Taury Cox, "eight, going nine next month," was happy to learn "how Bermuda was made and what it was like in the past", and above all "playing with my friends."