Dream Vacation: “From Arizona to Anse Chastanet: A Dream Dive Adventure”

If you’re reading this, our family’s story may resonate with your own. My name is Heather Shell, and I’ve been a certified scuba diver for over 30 years. Thirteen years ago, when I met my husband, Andrew, I gifted him a PADI Scuba Diving Course for his birthday. It would be an excellent way to grow closer through a shared passion for diving.

However, living in Arizona meant his initial dives took place in Lake Pleasant, which wasn’t ideal for showcasing the beauty of diving or a dream vacation. Nonetheless, he persevered, and over the next few years, we took diving trips to Mexico and Roatan. Our son, Ari, was very young, and we were unaware of programs like PADI SASY and Seal Team, so we left him at home during these trips. We longed for family vacations, so we set aside diving for pursuits we could enjoy together. Consequently, when we considered enrolling Ari into a Scuba Camp at age 11, my husband and I hadn’t dived in eight years.

Last Hanukkah, we decided Ari wouldn’t attend another summer camp. Instead, we were envisioning a diving vacation together. We considered the impact of his missing summer camps with his friends against an incredible family diving experience.

Consulting a travel agent, I initially thought Europe might be our starting point for diving adventures. However, planning a dream vacation there quickly became overwhelming with challenges beyond just acquiring passports. I admit arranging family trips is stressful, especially with Ari’s Celiac disease. The fear of limited gluten-free options, language barriers, and explaining cross-contamination risks at each meal could quickly spoil our travels.

One evening, over dinner with friends Dirk and Amy Leverant, I expressed our struggles about organizing a trip that accommodated our dietary needs. They recommended a company they’d traveled with called Kids Sea Camp. Dirk and Amy shared their many family travel experiences with Kids Sea Camp, having explored places like Roatan, The Cayman Islands, and Curacao. They spoke of their children’s enduring love for scuba diving and the unforgettable memories made on these trips, emphasizing how easy and stress-free Kids Sea Camp made the planning process.

Amy sent me a link to kidsseacamp.com, and the next day, I spoke with Margo Peyton, the owner, and her son Robert. They suggested we join the dream vacation on the St. Lucia trip in July 2024. Margo explained that she selects PADI 5-star resorts and thoroughly vets both the dive shops and their staff to ensure they are family-friendly and adhere to best practices for kids and diving. Kids Sea Camp has an on-site team coordinating with hotels, restaurants, transfer companies, food and beverage managers, activity directors, and dive operations to provide a seamless vacation.

Kids Sea Camp proved to be ideal for all our family needs. As Ari got his PADI Jr. Open Water certification at age 11, the camp offered a safe, inclusive environment where Ari could interact with peers of similar age and skill levels. Meanwhile, Andrew and I enjoyed adult diving time with other passionate parents. In the afternoons, we reconnected as a family, sharing the experiences of our day. We reveled in Ari’s morning adventures and enjoyed family activities and dives in the afternoon.

We stayed at Anse Chastanet, a romantic luxury resort with black sand beaches, beautiful Piton views, and three restaurants catering to our dietary needs. It was everything Margo promised a true dream vacation. The roomy, beautiful accommodations offered breathtaking views.

Kids Sea Camp prioritized safe and enjoyable diving experiences and catered meticulously to dietary needs. On our first evening, we met the dive shop staff, Sea Camp team, hotel crew, and, crucially, the head Chef, who assured us they were well-informed of our needs and had carefully planned each meal. They even arranged a special gluten-free birthday cake for me.

Dirk and Amy’s recommendation for our family vacation couldn’t have been better. The KSC staff ensured our experience was inclusive and carefree from arrival to departure. Margo and her team were always welcoming, capturing photos so we wouldn’t miss any moments. Margo & Tom spend months organizing these dive trips, collaborating closely with local teams, and bringing in presenters and educators like Cristina Zenato and her husband Kewin to engage young campers, enhancing our understanding of Caribbean ecosystems.

Tom Peyton famously says, “What makes Kids Sea Camp special is the relationships that are built,” and we witnessed this firsthand. We met Ken & Jacqueline Langen, who were on their second Kids Sea Camp adventure with their three sons: Ben, 16; Walter, 11; and William, 14. Our families connected quickly, sharing meals and excursions while our boys bonded at the beach. We discovered two of their boys and Ken also had Celiac, deepening our connection. We were already planning next year’s trip together by the week’s end.

Our choice of Kids Sea Camp has left us beyond satisfied, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of the Kids Sea Camp community!