LAMP Maritime Archaeology Field School

Location: St. Augustine, FL

Season: May 29, 2023 to June 30, 2023

Session Dates: Single Session, 5/29-6/30

Application Deadline: March 15, 2023

Deadline Type: Contact for Details

Website: https://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/explore-learn/research-archaeology/maritime-archaeologytraining-and-education/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Project Director:
Chuck Meide

Project Description:

An intensive five-week maritime archaeology field school delving into the underwater world of a 19th Century shipwreck.

This field school focuses on intensive archaeological and scientific diving training for both beginners and professionals alike! This includes scientific diving procedures, archaeological recording and excavation, the use of hydraulic probes and induction dredges, artifact collection and documentation, and historical research. Classroom aspects include ethics, maritime archaeology history and theory, emergency care/first responder training, dive safety and operations planning, dive physics and physiology, etc. Please note that our Diving Program has rental gear available to all field school students at no additional cost. Please see the brochure for more information.

Additionally, the field school will host an ongoing lecture series with instructors and visiting professionals from various public, private and academic institutions throughout Florida.

Period(s) of Occupation: Colonial Period, 1750-1800. Either Spanish or British in origin.

Notes:
Please complete and submit your application by May 1st, 2023 for the best chance of acceptance. Any application received after this date will only be considered as remaining space allows. Participation in the Field School can be competitive depending on the number of applicants, which has been increasing each year. While not required, you may submit a resume and/or letters of recommendation with your application (to lamp@staugustinelighthouse.org). Applicants will be notified of a decision no later than May 5th, although strong applicants may be contacted sooner. Any student that needs an earlier deadline, please send us an email after completion/submission of your application and we can discuss your timeline needs. Upon acceptance, you will be contacted for completion of other field school requirements (diver medical exam, dive/medical insurance, gear requirements etc.,). If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us at lamp@staugustinelighthouse.org or 904.829.0745 ext. 203 __ Fees: The fee for the field school is $3,400. A $250 deposit is due upon acceptance and the remainder is due by May 24th; all fees are payable to LAMP. This fee includes housing, food (except on weekends when you are responsible for your own meals), most dive gear (please see list below), air fills, and pool/classroom/laboratory facilities. Details on Payments Processing will be included on final acceptance. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum need-based scholarships will be announced soon. Please reach out to us if you have any concerns or are looking for funding support. For those applicants planning to receive course credit (either through our partner institution or your own university), a $400 discount is offered to help offset the additional cost of credits.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 5 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: 1. Students must hold at least an Open Water SCUBA certification 2. Students must qualify as a Scientific Diver through AAUS (American Academy of Underwater Sciences) OR Qualify as a scientific-diver-in-training through LAMP’s Diving Program. Those requirements include a specific medical exam to be completed prior to field school and a swim test to be conducted upon arrival. (Please do not complete the medical exam until after you have officially been accepted into the program. These documents will be available to review once accepted.) 3. Upon acceptance, students must have Divers Alert Network (DAN) diving accident insurance covering at least $125,000 for skin and scuba diving injuries or an equivalent policy.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Room: LAMP maintains a Field House on five acres of rural property just outside St. Augustine. Expect dormitory-type conditions. The house is furnished with air conditioning, two bathrooms and a fully-operational kitchen. Students should provide their own bedding (sheets, pillows, blankets, etc.). A refundable $30.00 deposit is required for a field house key. Board: Meals are communal and prepared each day by the field school participants on a rotating basis. Each student is assigned to a weekly Galley Crew. The budget for purchasing food is derived from the field school fee charged to all students. Students are responsible for their own food on weekends.

Academic Credit:
Students may receive 3-4 credit hours for completing the full five-week program. Tuition must be paid separately through the university issuing credit and the tuition cost is separate from the Field School fee payable to LAMP. College credit is available through our partner institution, Flagler College, or through your own institution if appropriate arrangements are made. Tuition rates TBA.