Nation’s Oldest Port® Maritime Archaeology Field School

Since 2007, the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP), the research arm of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, has provided professional and educational maritime archaeology training nearly every summer through our Nation’s Oldest Port® Field School.

Field school is a foundational component in the education of any student pursuing a career in archaeology. Each year, our professional archaeologists oversee an intense, five-week accredited program that provides undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experience in maritime archaeological research.

In addition to methodological instruction and academic lectures, students gain real-world experience in all aspects of archaeology, including site set up, excavation, documentation, data management, and public outreach. We have partnered with Flagler College to organize and implement this four-credit course. Students may also set up course credit through their own university.

As an official American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) Organizational Member, we are proud to offer AAUS Scientific Diver Training – run in conjunction with the field school.

Please see below for information on the upcoming 2026 field school. 

LAMP Diving Conditions & Requirements

2026 Field School Application

Student Applications for 2026 are OPEN!  > 2026 Field School Application

Please submit your application by May 8th, 2026 [the application period has been extended from April 3rd] for the best chance of acceptance. Any application received after this date will only be considered as remaining space allows. Once all spots have been filled, the application form will close and the website will be updated.

Upon acceptance, you will be contacted for completion of other field school requirements (diver medical exam, dive/medical insurance, etc.,). If you need an earlier acceptance due to funding or academic scheduling, please reach out. 

Field School Background:

Dates: June 29th – July 31st, 2026

Research Focus:

The research focus for this year is the Anniversary Wreck, a merchant vessel that wrecked in 30ft of water – just off the coast of St. Augustine, FL. Recent tests have dated the site to 1760-1800, suggesting either Spanish or British in origin. Two other shallow river shipwreck sites will also be investigated, TBA.

More site details to follow on our website.

Skills, Procedures & Lectures:

This field school includes intensive archaeological and AAUS Scientific Diving training. 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.

Students who already have AAUS Scientific Diving training will not need to attend the dive physics and physiology lectures, nor need to take the final Scientific Diver exam.

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

Requirements:

  • Students must hold an Open Water SCUBA certification and EITHER qualify as a Scientific Diver through AAUS (American Academy of Underwater Sciences) OR qualify as a scientificdiver-in-training. These 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.

  • Upon acceptance, students must have DAN diving accident insurance covering at least $125,000 for skin and scuba diving injuries, or an equivalent policy.
  • Students must provide their own transportation to and from St. Augustine, Florida.

Housing:

LAMP has a new Field House on our off-site property – 15 mins from the Lighthouse. Expect dormitory-type conditions. The house is furnished with air conditioning, multioccupancy bedrooms with bunk-beds, a common space with a TV, multiple restrooms and individual shower rooms, laundry, and a fully-operational kitchen with a dining area.

Students should provide their own bedding (sheets, pillowcase, blanket or sleeping bag, etc.).

A refundable $30.00 deposit is required for a field house key.

Meals:

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.

Fees:

The fee for the field school is $4,000 without credit. A $250 deposit is due upon acceptance, and the remainder is due before arrival (no later than June 26th); all fees are payable to LAMP. This fee includes housing, weekday 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.

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. We will reach out to those applicants who wish to pursue this option, as noted on the application.

Scholarships are available through the Archaeological Institute of America. Click here to apply. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum need-based scholarships will be announced soon.

Please reach out to us if you are interested in the field school but need funding support.

Graduate or undergraduate 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.

Tuition rates TBA.

Dive Gear:

Our Diving Program has rental gear available to all field school students at no additional cost.

  • BCDs (Backplate & Wing)
  • Regulators
  • Depth and pressure gauges/dive computers
  • Weight belts
  • Weights
  • Limited sizes of wetsuits (3-5mm)
  • Tanks and gas fills

If you have your own gear, you are welcome to use it as long as records of professional servicing are provided to our DSO before arrival. The following pieces of equipment and personal gear are NOT provided by LAMP and will need to be brought by each student.

Please reach out to us if you have any questions regarding what to bring.

  • Mask
  • Snorkel (please bring a foldable/pocket snorkel)
  • Fins (NO split fins, force fins, or freediving fins allowed)
  • Booties
  • Personal wetsuits (3mm with additional hood recommended)
  • Recommended but notrequired – dive shorts with large pockets or the like.

2026 Field School Supervisor Application

Supervisor Applications for 2026 are OPEN! 

2026 Field School Supervisor Application

LAMP will select at least two Field School Supervisors for the 2026 season. Supervisors must already be an AAUS Scientific Diver with prior experience assisting with archaeological fieldwork and an interest in developing leadership and mentoring skills.

Supervisors serve as on-site leaders and mentors, supporting daily field operations both on the vessel and on land, coordinating student crews, and helping ensure that fieldwork, data documentation, and field house operations run smoothly. When not in the field, supervisors also act as intermediaries between the students and LAMP staff.

Supervisors will also:

  • Present one academic lecture (topic to be approved before the start of the Field School)
  • Plan and lead one weekend group excursion (museum, archaeology site, historic site, etc.)
  • Assist with training stations during the initial week of field school

Please note that there is no paid compensation for this position, but room and board are provided. Supervisors will need to arrive two weeks before the start of field school.

For questions, please email LAMP at the contact information below.

Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program

81 Lighthouse Avenue
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
lamp@staugustinelighthouse.org
Phone: 904-829-0745, ext. 203