Margo Peyton

My Ultimate Dive Buddy

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Dive buddy, Sasy program, kids sea camp

A dedicated dad’s ultimate dream comes true at  Kids Sea Camp.

“My kid’s a diver!” Shouting these words from a mountaintop has been a dream for 11 long years. The day my daughter, Hailey, was born, I began fantasizing about sharing my deep passion for the ocean with her. I couldn’t imagine a better dive buddy — swimming along, hand in hand, discovering the secrets of the sea. Throughout her toddler years, some dads in my circle of friends lamented that their adventurous pastimes would have to take a back seat to parenting. “What a cop out,” I thought.

The plan was simple

Make travel and diving irresistible to her. I started early, with each bedtime story focused on fantastical sea creatures, miraculous mermaids, and amazing underwater adventures. As she grew, we watched every kid-friendly dive-related movie  I could find. Soon she was naming marine life,e and swimming in the ocean became second nature. When I spoke to her third-grade class on career day about being editor of Sport Diver magazine, I watched her beam with pride. The plan was working, albeit far too slowly for my impatient heart. Then Kids Sea Camp (KSC) changed everything.

The Patron Saint of family diving, Margo Peyton

Our introduction to Kids Sea Camp, a unique family dive vacation that combined everything an ocean-loving family could ask for, was at Cobalt Coast Resort in the Cayman Islands. Hailey was then 4 years old. KSC offered world-class diving for adults, kid-tailored activities for kids aged 4-17,  PADI certifications, and specialty courses. They also provide daily educational, cultural, and social events for all. KSC’s SASY program was the perfect indoctrination into the dive life for Hailey. Being around diving kids, hearing their stories, and making new friends from around the world fanned her spark of interest into a flame. It didn’t hurt that KSC founder and patron saint of family diving, Margo Peyton, made a point of spending personal time in the ocean with Hailey.  Thanks to Peyton’s irresistible enthusiasm for training the next generation of divers, once timid Hailey gained enough confidence, and the hook had been set.

Joining the dive tribe

A few years later, we returned to Kids Sea Camp at Buddy Dive Resort on Bonaire, where 8-year-old Hailey joined the PADI Seal Team program. The mini scuba rig gave her the experience of a diver, breathing through a regulator. She completed all 5 aqua missions, and I enjoyed my first dive with her under the dock.   What a breakthrough. I continued her momentum, freediving on family vacations and spending as much time as possible getting to know the ocean. When she was 10, ready to become a Junior Open Water Diver, we booked KSC’s Thanksgiving week at Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia. This exquisite and secluded luxury resort with an onsite PADI 5-star dive operation, Scuba St. Lucia, was perfect for the entire family. The time was right for Hailey to join the dive tribe.
I’ve always believed that anticipation is one of the best things about travel. Adding a life-changing event like Hailey’s certification only intensified that joy. Months before we began putting together her first scuba kit, we tried on wetsuits, fit-tested the Scubapro masks and fins, all provided by KSC. I was her dive buddy with gear. A few weeks before takeoff, we dove into the PADI E-Learning materials, watching her absorb the physics of diving and safety protocols was as much a learning experience for me as it was for her. When the venerable dive table came into play, I broke out in a cold sweat. Thankfully, Hailey helped me remember my fundamentals, and she passed with ease.

Anse Chastanet

Arriving at Anse Chastanet is a rejuvenation. Surrounded by 600 acres of thriving rainforest, the intimate 49-room resort spills down a lush mountainside to a pristine volcanic beach embracing a crystalline bay that shelters a rich marine reserve. Fragrant tropical flowers adorn trees, tables, and the staff. The view across the bay from our room, framing the island’s famed twin peaks, Gros and Petit Piton, against the Caribbean sunset, defies description. This experience would surely set Hailey’s dive trip expectations to impossibly high levels. Then again, that’s what Kids Sea Camp is all about. (See our Calendar of KSC events)
One of my favorite things about Kids Sea Camp is the relaxed, family vibe. Strangers don’t stay that way for long, especially the children. Friendships form instantly when you’re diving headfirst into new adventures together. Plus, there are lizards to chase, beaches to comb, stars to count, and cannonballs to launch off the top deck of the dive boat. When training begins, the kids slip into a blissful routine of discovery, both underwater and inside themselves. Over 30 years of organizing group travel events around the globe, Margo has created a unique and valuable culture in the diving world. She is building a tribe of like-minded families from different walks of life who share a common love for the ocean — and kinship.

Kids Sea Camp makes travel simple

Traveling to exotic locales with children and grandparents in tow can pose many challenges. Kids Sea Camp makes it simple, safe, and sanguine. There’s a reason why we consistently meet families on their third, sixth, and even eighth KSC adventure. Bonding is an understatement. Relationships born here endure for years. The experience is just that powerful.
On this trip, we invited my mother-in-law, Marsha, a newly certified diver herself, to join us. The possibility of a three-generation dive could not be missed. So, as Hailey was completing her final confined water dive under the careful guidance of Scuba St. Lucia’s instructors, we achieved the trifecta. Loose on the house reef after her required skills were completed, parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters joined for their first dive together.
Holding Hailey’s tiny hand as we toured the reef was euphoric. She led the way, pointing out colorful reef fish and hidden critters while Marsha and I followed, enraptured by the experience. Near the end of the dive, Hailey and I shared a moment alone, kneeling in the sand, practicing signals. I am not ashamed to admit that I shed a few manly tears of joy.

I finally had my dive buddy.

My long-awaited fantasy had become a reality. But there was one unexpected and equally wonderful side effect. Heather, my wife of more than 26 years, has long suffered an unrealistic fear of marine life, despite being a competitive swimmer and water polo player in her youth. Nothing proved more powerful than watching her own daughter become a diver. During Hailey’s final open-water check-out dive, with parents joining, Heather followed the group on a snorkel. When we surfaced, the most surprising words came out of her mouth: “I’m ready to try scuba diving.” To my good fortune, Margo was within earshot. Hugs ensued. (And a few more manly tears.) Guess who’s getting certified at Kids Sea Camp next year?
By Eric Michael

I could be a parent and diver at KSC

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Mom and daughter divers, Bonaire, Kids Sea Camp

Kids Sea Camp is a dream come true

Like many divers, my dive adventures paused once I had kids. It wasn’t until I learned about Kids Sea Camp that I discovered I could be a parent and go diving. The entire trip itinerary was crafted around experiences that focused on fun and learning for the children. All the while, the parents were out exploring the ocean. When I learned my 10-year-old daughter could also get Junior Open Water certified and become my dive buddy, it was like a dream come true.

As luck would have it, Kids Sea Camp was celebrating its 25th anniversary at Buddy Dive Camp. The resort itself was also celebrating its 45th anniversary in Bonaire this August 2025. My daughter and I embarked on the ultimate mother-daughter adventure.

ATHENA DIVES IN

We landed on a Caribbean island located about 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Athena and I were excited to explore the gemstone-blue ocean. I knew this time together, just the two of us, was a tremendous gift. What we didn’t yet know was that Kids Sea Camp wasn’t just a dive vacation; it was a supportive community. The whole itinerary was intentionally crafted for connection.

It was apparent from the opening dinner at Blennie’s restaurant, where we were introduced to th, Woody (a police officer from Connecticut who was also a dive instructor), and later, to the hilarious M.C. Woody (a police officer from Connecticut who was also a dive instructor), and we later learned at karaoke night, a talented opera singer. As we settled into our chairs, unsure of what to expect, Woody passed around a mic to have all the families share “two truths and a lie” about themselves, and the rest of us had to guess the lie. It was an entertaining way to get to know our fellow travelers from the moment we arrived.

The mic was passed to us, and I recognized Athena’s nervousness mixed with excitement as she stood before the crowd to speak. She sat back down, smiling proudly as the guests clapped encouragingly. It was the first of many moments at Kids Sea Camp when we stretched ourselves, and getting out of our comfort zones helped us feel more connected to ourselves and each other.

More than diving

What a sunset sail. A brave act for me was hopping on a swing without a belt and pushing off over the open water. And where Athena joined the rest of the kids at the end to jump off and swim back to shore (it’s a KSC tradition). There was learning to ride a blow-kart (like a go-kart but with sails added, so it is purely wind-powered). The poetry contest where Athena wrote and then performed her poem. Kids Sea Camp karaoke! I didn’t want to be my thing, but I did it anyway when my new friend Jessica. She asked me to join her to sing “I Will Survive” because I couldn’t leave her hanging. I’ll admit, it was kind of fun despite my being terrible. Tom came up to me afterward with a big grin and said, “See, it’s not just about diving.” He was right.

A business built on friendships

One of the best parts of Kids Sea Camp is the friendships made. Margo and Tom set the tone by building the company around relationships. For example, they’ve been coming to Buddy Dive Camp for 20 years because of their longstanding friendship with the Dutch owners, Paul and Michelle, who have young children of their own who also now dive. The KSC staff are largely friends and family, such as Woody, the dive instructor, and Bigs, one of our photographers in Bonaire, who also hosts KSC at her dive resort in the Philippines.

Athena made fast friends with another 10-year-old girl in her Junior Open Water course named Hadley, who was on her second KSC. Apart from being dive buddies, they made plans to meet for dinner and at the pool after the PADI instruction was over, and before the trip ended. We even made plans with Hadley’s parents, Jessica and Bryan, to meet at another Kids Sea Camp in 2026.

The KSC bubble

Our cell phones and iPads languished because we were so immersed in the world that Kids Sea Camp created. A world of exploring nature, stretching ourselves, playing, learning, and making real connections. Honestly, it felt like a bubble from the outside world, where living an online life, cruelty, and polarization seemed normalized.

It was a glimpse into what is possible, the kind of world we might create if only we put more intention into connecting, more focus on being curious about the world and each other, and make it a point to give back where we can (KSC gives dive scholarships and grants through Ocean Wishes, which Margo co-founded).

We made it to the end of the week, and I got to join Athena on her first open water dive after she had completed days of instruction leading up to that moment. She squeezed my hand underwater and then swam over to give her dive buddy, Hadley, the “OK” sign to let her know she was there.

Becoming a dive buddy

My chest tightened. I realized it’s a balance between being hands-on and giving another person room to grow, stretching one’s limits without going too far, to build a girl who wasn’t so little anymore. As a mother, I was realizing how it’s a balance between being hands-on and giving another person room to grow, stretching one’s limits without going too far to gain confidence and discover one’s potential. And it struck me that there was so much mothering energy baked into Kids Sea Camp. I saw it in so many ways.

Take, for example, Margo, a Woman Diver Hall of Famer who received the PADI lifetime achievement award for dive education for kids, who seemed to have energy for everyone, especially when they are in the water. Her vigilant watch over the guests (kids and adults alike), checking gauges and gesturing for us to see the underwater creature she had discovered, was unwavering.

Or when my dive buddy C.P., a trailblazer who became the first woman publisher of a dive magazine in the 80s, shared her best dive tips with me and brought me her extra dive skins because she knew I got cold the day before. I saw it in big ways. Like when Tom and Margo shared their partnership with the Reef Restoration Program to help restore the coral. Kids Sea Camp is all about care.

That’s precisely the kind of energy the world needs right now.

Lost in my thoughts, I felt a hand on my arm. It was Athena, giving me the “OK” signal to see how I was doing. I flashed her a smile, signaled “OK,” and gestured towards the surface.  It was time for us to go back up.

By Holly Corbett

More than just a vacation

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Margo Peyton, Kids and diving, Family Scuba Vacations, Family Scuba Diving Vacations, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving, Kids and scuba

Dear Fellow Parents, Grandparents, and Fellow Ocean Adventurers

As I reflect on the journey that led me to create Kids Sea Camp 25 years ago, my heart swells with a mix of joy, gratitude, and a touch of nostalgia. This isn’t just a business to me. Kids Sea Camp is a love letter to my own children, Robbie and Jennifer. And now to my precious grandson, amazing Zayne.

When I first held Robbie and Jen in my arms, I looked into their innocent eyes and saw my own reflection staring back. In that instant, I knew I had to be better, to do better, for them. Motherhood wasn’t just a role. It is a calling to instill the values that matter most—love, life, family, respect, and kindness. But back then, I never imagined how they would graduate from high school, head to college, and build lives of their own before they spread their wings. They have graduating high school, heading to college, and building lives of their own. Those moments of them learning to crawl, walk, ride a bike, swim, snorkel, and dive? They blur into a beautiful haze, leaving us wishing we’d savored every second.

Kids Sea Camp, the living classroom

That’s why I founded Kids Sea Camp: to create a “living classroom”. Where families could unplug from the everyday chaos and reconnect in the most profound way—through the ocean’s embrace. I wanted Robbie and Jen to see the world beyond our doorstep. To gain a global perspective that fostered open-mindedness and dissolved judgments. We traveled to places like Yap, where stone money holds value and villages thrive without electricity or running water. And yet children play joyfully with handmade toys from nature. In Fiji, they experienced ground ovens and communal living. In Utila, simple schools where books sparked imagination.

These destinations weren’t just vacations—they were lessons in humility, showing how happiness blooms in simplicity, how diverse customs, governments, and spiritual paths all revolve around the ocean’s vital role. I wanted my kids to understand their impact from across the sea. As we cut back on plastic and pollution, eat sustainably, and create less waste. To see that we all share the same needs—homes, clean water, food—and the same desire to connect, regardless of culture, religion, or background.

A very large family reunion

Kids Sea Camp is different because it’s born from this personal passion—in a world of cookie-cutter vacations, we stand apart by curating experiences that prioritize unity over division. On our trips, it doesn’t matter what you do for a living, where you’re from—we come together to dive, to cherish the ocean, and to have fun with our kids and grandchildren. For a magical week, we find common ground in our shared love for adventure and family. It’s a reunion of family you never knew you were waiting to meet, where strangers become lifelong friends, and the ocean becomes the great equalizer.

What sets us apart even more is our commitment to safety, education, and heart. We’ve been training with PADI courses and kids programs for 25 years. Customizing our kids’ programs like SASY and Seal Team, turning learning into play, and other games that build confidence without pressure. For older kids, PADI Jr. Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, and specialties like PADI Fish ID, Underwater Photography, Coral Restoration, Wreck Diver, Night Diver, Rescue, and Peak Performance Buoyancy open doors to deeper exploration. These aren’t just certifications—they’re pathways to becoming ocean ambassadors who teach kids (and adults) about marine ecosystems, shark conservation, and sustainable practices.

Hand-picked resorts

We’ve certified over 8,100 youth divers, with thousands more pursuing continuing education alongside their parents and grandparents. Our handpicked destinations—Bonaire’s calm shores, St. Lucia’s vibrant reefs, Belize’s biodiverse waters, and liveaboards to the Galapagos, Raja Ampat, or the Red Sea. All are chosen for their family-focused environments, where safety is paramount, and every dive feels like a shared discovery. (See our Calendar of events)

At the core of Kids Sea Camp beats a team with hearts as vast as the ocean. Our instructors—passionate experts are more than teachers; they’re mentors who adapt to every child’s needs with kindness and fun. (See our dive team)

Turning 60

Now, at 60, Tom and I are embracing grandparenthood with Zayne (who is not even a year old yet). I realize time is our most precious gift. I’m already dreaming of his first dive, showing him coral reefs I pray will thrive. The years with Robbie and Jen flew by, but those summers diving together—unplugging, laughing, exploring—created memories that sustain us. Robbie’s upcoming wedding to a fellow diver from Nairobi, Kenya. And Jen’s life with her husband from a small town reminds me how these experiences opened their hearts to the world.

Kids Sea Camp is the big unplugged

Kids Sea Camp is the best choice because it’s designed to give you those irreplaceable moments. In a fast-paced world, Kids Sea Camp quiets the noise. We are allowing peace to settle as families learn to be dive buddies—not just in the water, but in life. Kids put down their phones, present in the moment, while parents rekindle laughter and friendship. It’s where grandparents witness wide-eyed wonder, siblings forge unbreakable ties, and everyone emerges wiser, more connected.

If you’re a parent or grandparent yearning to share the best of the world with your loved ones, join us. Let’s create a sustainable future together—one dive, one family, one memory at a time.

I like to remind people that children are 20% of our population; they are 100% of our future. And in that future, let’s focus on what unites us: love for each other and our big blue ocean.

Margo Peyton, Founder, Kids Sea Camp Inc. (see link)

Decades of diving with Kids Sea Camp

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Kids Sea Camp, Scuba and kids

REFLECTIONS ON KIDS SEA CAMP’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

When you’re invited to an anniversary celebration, you expect memories to be shared, jokes to be cracked, and glasses to be raised. I wasn’t prepared, however, for just how nostalgic I would become. Or for how much I’d want to reminisce with anyone. Anyone who would listen about the years that became decades spent on the Kids Sea Camp journey.

Buddies with Buddy Dive

Since we were also celebrating the partnership with Buddy Dive Resort in Bonaire, I found myself retelling the story of the delightful and decisive dinner we had with owner and patriarch Martien van der Valk 20 years earlier. It was there that Margo shared her vision, and he embraced it wholeheartedly (good wine was involved). The concept of a Kids Sea Camp centers on diving experiences for the whole family. The idea was far from a “no-brainer” at the time. It wasn’t long before women found their place in diving, let alone children! And as much as everyone talked about growing the sport of scuba diving, adding women and children to the plan was a big leap of faith for most. (See KSC calendar of events)

It wasn’t until the 1980s that we moved from NAVY Dive table calculations to dive computers, from “horse collar” BCs to BCDs, and from basic black to colored dive equipment and wetsuits. Underwater cameras were large, and strobe lights were larger. And you had 36 opportunities to get the shot with one roll of Kodak film. Dive operations were just beginning to partner with resorts to offer dive travel opportunities with more creature comforts than divers were accustomed to locally. This transformative time for diving was accomplished primarily face-to-face, on landlines, and with 800 numbers (online searches and bookings, social media, WhatsApp, and Zoom were Many years away). (See KSC gallery)

Martien van der Valk sees the vision

But forward-thinking entrepreneurs like Martien and his family understood the vision. It helped that we all had young children of our own. We were in the dive travel industry and wanted to share what we loved with them. Were there other parents who wanted to continue diving and traveling but didn’t want to leave their kids behind? Would they be interested in “giving them a week they would remember forever”? Well, it turns out, yes, there were, and yes, they would!

PADI also saw the potential and began offering more and more age-appropriate kids’ dive courses and certifications that focused on safety, learning, and fun. The kids were our real-life, real-time market research. So, on the very first Kids Sea Camp dinner, when they formed their own kids’ table, when they sprang out of bed early every morning, when they kept in touch with their new friends, and when they told their parents where they wanted to meet up the following summer, Margo knew she was on to something!

Time in the bottle

Inspired by the old Jim Croce song about saving time in a bottle, I titled one of my early articles accordingly. I knew the moments were precious. I knew that the days were long, but the years would fly by. And my six-year-old daughter somehow became a 32-year-old mother of three today. I honestly cannot wait until they, too, will enjoy these foundational experiences that will become an integral part of who they are.

It’s not just the underwater adventures that open their little minds up to a whole new world. It’s getting out of their neighborhood bubbles and meeting families from different worlds who share a global humanity. Their love for our water planet that they may not find among their friends at home. I am blown away by the stories of how Kids Sea Camp has become a life-changing experience for other kids.

From 7 kids the first year to over 8,100 kids certified by the 25th year. You can only imagine the ripple effects felt in every corner of the world. Over 50 of these kids have become PADI divemasters, 30 dive instructors, and counting. These KSC alumni will be training the next generation of divers for decades to come. Margo has also been a consistent mentoring presence in too many young lives to mention. I am particularly inspired by the number of young adults she engages in various roles over dozens of weeks each year, as interns, instructors, and contributors in their particular areas of expertise.

Tom sees the larger picture

Each one has carved out a special place in the Kids Sea Camp Family, which also features VP and founder of Ocean Wishes, a 501(c)(3), and husband Tom Peyton. Tom never lets us lose sight of the big picture in every little moment. Especially when leading karaoke nights or afternoon volleyball challenges. Son Robbie has risen through the KSC ranks to become a PADI OWSI, MSDT instructor, and technical diver. He’s been involved in sales and training at KSC for years. But to me, he’ll always be Young Robbie. Showing his friends how you can be just as fun-loving and safe playing underwater as you are on land.

I so enjoyed this special week, when Martien’s granddaughter Noortje pursued advanced certification, and Granddaughter Pleun began her PADI Jr. Open Water course. There were 100 attendees enjoying their 1st, 10th, or 20th Kids Sea Camp adventure during one of two back-to-back weeks. I was particularly taken with a 10-year-old girl named Athena. She was so very enthusiastic about getting her PADI Jr. Open Water certification during her very first Kids Sea Camp. A mother/daughter trip that I knew would be a special “time in a bottle” moment for her diving/journalist mom, Holly. So here I was, a Gramma, with over 40 years of diving under my belt. I was bonding with a pearl of a girl—the whole world her oyster.  I couldn’t help but wonder what she might have to say about Kids Sea Camp on their 50th Anniversary!

By Carolyn Pascal

Visit kidsseacamp.com for more information or click on the link to Athena’s beautiful story, “Becoming a diver.”

25 Years of Family Dive Adventures.

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Kids Sea Camp, diving with Kids, diving with family, Margo Peyton

The Kids Sea Camp Legacy: 25 Years of Family Dive Adventures.

In 2001, Margo Peyton launched Kids Sea Camp out of a mother’s passion for sharing the ocean with her kids, Robbie and Jennifer. Starting with her first trip to Curacao, Kids Sea Camp has grown into the #1 family dive travel company, voted best by Scuba Diving Magazine since 2015.

Over the past 25 years, we’ve connected 300+ families annually to 13 countries, certifying over 8,000 youth through PADI programs. Kids Sea Camp isn’t just vacations—it’s a “bunny slope” for diving, making it safe and fun for ages 4-17. Our all-inclusive trips include PADI courses like SASY (for 4-7 year-olds with snorkel quests) and Seal Team (building skills through games). For older kids, we offer Jr. Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and specialties like Fish ID, Underwater Photography, and Coral Restoration. These programs foster environmental stewardship by teaching about marine ecosystems and shark conservation through PADI Shark Aware.

Our unique approach

We seek out boutique, locally owned PADI resorts for their trust and authenticity. Destinations like Bonaire’s calm shores or St. Lucia’s vibrant reefs provide “living classrooms” for bonding. Families unplug, reconnect, and create lifelong memories—grandparents diving with grandkids, parents witnessing their child’s first bubble ring. With a world-class team of kid-friendly instructors, we ensure safety and fun. We’ve contributed to 60+ PADI Divemasters and 40+ Instructors from our alumni, including through IDCs at Buddy Dive Bonaire. For empty-nesters, try our division: Empty Nester Adventures or Family Dive Adventures for luxury FIT trips to Tahiti, Indonesia, or the Red Sea—perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, or reunions. Join us and discover why Kids Sea Camp is one-of-a-kind: Human touch, phone support, and travel teams on-site. Book today at familydivers.k-dushi.com/ and create memories that last a lifetime!

Kids Sea Camp dive training for kids of all ages

PADI Kids Programs at Kids Sea Camp: Safe, Fun Paths to Ocean Exploration. As a PADI MSDT Instructor with 36 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how PADI programs empower kids to become confident divers and ocean ambassadors. At Kids Sea Camp, we’ve customized these for 25 years, introducing 8,000+ youths to scuba in a “bunny slope” environment—gentle, educational, and fun. For ages 4-7, SASY and SEAL Team are gateways.

SASY uses surface-supplied air for snorkel-like quests, teaching buoyancy and marine life. Seal Team dives deeper with missions like wreck exploration games, building skills without pressure. At 10, kids advance to Jr. Open Water—our Cayman Islands trips are perfect for certifications and feature calm waters. We offer specialties in Fish ID (spotting trumpetfish in Bonaire), Underwater Photography (capturing turtles in Belize), and Coral Restoration (planting in the Philippines). These foster stewardship, such as PADI Shark Aware, by educating about marine ecosystems. Safety is paramount: Our team (e.g., Woody Tinsley, Rob Peyton, and Kiley Thueson) is an expert in kid-friendly teaching, adapting to each child’s pace. We’ve turned 12-year-olds into Jr. Advanced Open Water divers, with courses like Night Diver and Peak Performance Buoyancy.

The impact?

Alumni like my kids Robbie and Jennifer became PADI Instructors, paying it forward. Families bond through shared discoveries—parents diving with kids creates lifelong connections. PADI’s global standards ensure quality, with 36 million certified divers worldwide. At Kids Sea Camp, these programs aren’t just training—they’re adventures in 13 countries, from Arenui liveaboards to Belize reefs. Ready to start? Explore our programs at familydivers.k-dushi.com/dive-training/ and book a trip today!

The connections beyond our immediate family.

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Family diving, Kids Sea Camp, kids and scuba

The connections we have all forged extend far beyond our immediate family.

When I booked my first family vacation to Roatan with Kids Sea Camp over 20 years ago, I had no idea that it would become the cornerstone of our most cherished memories. Before becoming a parent, I had spent many years working in the dive industry. However, after having children, I found it increasingly challenging to continue diving and traveling. I wasn’t sure if I would ever pursue my passion for diving again. But when I discovered Kids Sea Camp, everything changed. What began as a simple desire to introduce my children to the wonders of the ocean quickly evolved into a series of adventures that would shape who we are, both as individuals and as family connections. 

Around the world with Kids Sea Camp

Over the years, Kids Sea Camp has taken us to some of the most breathtaking corners of the world, from the vibrant coral reefs of the Caribbean to the remote islands of the Pacific, such as the Cayman Islands, Utila, Bonaire, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Yap, Palau, and Fiji. But more than the places we’ve visited, it’s the bonds we’ve forged, the lessons we’ve learned, and the growth I’ve witnessed in my children that stand out most vividly.

Our journey with Kids Sea Camp began in the turquoise waters of Roatan. It was there, surrounded by the vibrant coral reefs and the gentle rhythm of the Caribbean Sea, that my family first dipped our toes into what would become a lifelong love for the ocean. The trip was filled with excitement and curiosity as my children experienced the underwater world for the first time. 

The first KSC trip

That first trip also marked a personal milestone for me. Having once been an avid diver, life’s demands had caused me to set my passion aside. But Kids Sea Camp reignited that spark, allowing me to resume diving and, more importantly, to introduce my children to the underwater world that had captivated me for so long. It was also on this trip that we met the Barrett family, who quickly became like family to us. Our children together coined us the “Severetts,” a blend of our last names, marking the start of many shared adventures and a deep, enduring friendship.

As our journeys with Kids Sea Camp continued, it became clear that these trips were about far more than just exploring new destinations. They were about deepening the bonds within my family and with the new friends we made along the way. 

Deepening the family bonds

Each adventure brought us closer together, as we learned to rely on one another, share in the joys of discovery, and create memories that would last a lifetime. Our annual trips with the Barrett family, both underwater and on ski slopes, became a cherished tradition that enriched our lives and deepened our friendship. Over two decades of traveling with Kids Sea Camp, one of the greatest joys was witnessing my children’s remarkable growth.

It took several years and many Kids Sea Camp adventures, but when each of my children turned 10 and earned their certification, we officially became a family of divers. From their first tentative steps in the ocean to becoming confident, accomplished divers, each trip marked a new chapter in their development. My oldest child was certified as a diver in the stunning waters of Fiji at the tender age of 10—a milestone made possible by the nurturing environment at Kids Sea Camp. 

Our kids and dive training

The experience and care shown by Margo and her team ensured a safe and inspiring certification process, one that I trusted completely despite the young age. Similarly, my twins embarked on their own diving journey, achieving their certifications in the rich, diverse waters of Palau when they were just 10 years old. Their prior experience with the program’s Sassy and Seal courses gave them not only the necessary skills but also the confidence to dive into deeper adventures. These early certifications were not merely about learning to dive; they were about building a foundation of confidence, responsibility, and environmental stewardship that they would carry with them for years to come.

Family that dive together, kids sea camp, Margo PeytonThe experience of diving with my children has been nothing short of magical. Witnessing their transformation from novices to skilled divers who often outperform adults has been a profound joy. The exceptional training they received not only made them competent but also confident and respected divers, accustomed to the intricacies and responsibilities of exploring marine environments. Their prowess underwater is a testament to the high-caliber training provided by Kids Sea Camp, where safety and respect for the ocean are paramount. 

My son Max’s journey to becoming a Dive Master through KSC is a testament to the profound influence these experiences had on him. He started as a young child with wide eyes and a bubbling curiosity about the marine world. He embraced every opportunity to learn and explore. His progression from participant to leader was not just about acquiring diving skills, but also about developing responsibility, resilience, and a deep respect for the ocean. 

Underwater talents

Similarly, my daughters, Quin and Sydney, found their own paths through these adventures. Whether it was learning underwater photography, participating in marine conservation projects, or overcoming fears of sharks, they both carved out a niche that reflected their unique passions and talents. 

 An equally important aspect of their growth was the formation of meaningful relationships with children from around the world. These relationships have endured over the years, long after these trips have ended. This global network of friends has enriched their lives, offering diverse perspectives and ongoing connections spanning continents.  

Cherished friendship

The connections we have all forged extend far beyond our immediate family. Tom and Margo have become dear and cherished friends, and relationships with other KSC families have grown deeper with each trip. We were part of a larger community, connected by our love for the ocean and our meaningful memories with our children. They make it feel like you’re not just a group of travelers – you’re part of their family.  

Diving alongside my kiddos, watching them grow to navigate the waters with grace and experience, fills me with pride and amazement. These moments underwater are not just dives; they are treasured experiences, shared breaths of life that deepen our bond with each other and our connection to the underwater world. 

Family Connections

One of the most cherished outcomes of our two decades with Kids Sea Camp has been the deep and enduring friendships we’ve formed, particularly with the Barrett family. Our family connections went beyond shared dives and travel adventures; they extended into our daily lives, with long drives to spend holidays together and countless celebrations that have cemented our bond over the years. The synchronicity of having children the same age, including twins who were only a year apart, created a unique and profound connection. Our children grew up together, sharing not just vacations but life milestones. The Barrett family became more than friends; they became an integral part of our extended family. This kinship provided a support system built on mutual understanding and shared experiences, enhancing the joy and helping us overcome the challenges of raising our children.

Reflecting on two decades of adventures with Kids Sea Camp, it’s clear that these experiences have been far more than just holidays; they’ve been life-shaping adventures that have brought my family closer, broadened our horizons, and deepened our respect for the ocean and our planet. Even now, with my children in their 20s, they still eagerly ask if we can plan another Kids Sea Camp trip. This enduring enthusiasm is a testament to the lasting impact of these experiences.

Empty Nesters

As many of us long-time Kids Sea Campers are now Empty Nesters, we’ve seen our children grow up, and it’s been another incredible part of life, embarking on the new opportunities offered by Family Dive Adventures and their empty-nester group trips. Personally, having embarked on over 30 trips with Tom and Margo, I have found these adventures to be a significant part of my life. They not only keep me diving but also allow me to reconnect with many familiar faces, explore stunning new destinations, and continue diving with my adult kids.

The Galapagos

Galapagos, Liveaboard, Empty nesters TravelersThis summer, Max and I went on a mother-son trip to the Galapagos with Family Dive Adventures, a Kids Sea Camp extension for grown families. At 25, Max joined me for one of our first adult-focused adventures, diving in the open ocean where hammerhead sharks circled, whale sharks glided, and humpback whales breached nearby. The Galapagos’ wild currents demanded advanced skills, but we were true buddies. Max looked after me, checking my gear with care, but his awe was palpable. “Mom, you’re an incredible diver,” he said, watching me navigate a drift dive with ease. “You’re the best dive partner.” That moment—swimming side by side, marveling at a school of sharks—cemented a new bond. For Max, the advanced diving was inspiring, sparking excitement for more adventures with me. “I can’t wait to dive with you again,” he said, his eyes bright with possibility.

Moving forward, I plan to continue diving with them. Each trip offers a chance to rekindle old friendships and create new memories in the world’s most beautiful underwater environments. I have enjoyed empty-nest trips with Margo and Tom to Africa and the Philippines, and I am looking forward to Borneo and beyond.

Whether by myself or with my family, the call of the ocean is irresistible. The camaraderie of Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures is irreplaceable. 

Janet Severo is a lifelong diver and mother of three, whose family has explored the world’s oceans with Kids Sea Camp for over 20 years. Learn more at familydivers.k-dushi.com/.

If I Had A Boat

by

If I had a boat

I’d host the Kids Sea Camp

And if I host Kids Sea Camp

I’d show ’em how I’d float

And we could all be together

Go out on the ocean

I said me and Kids Sea Camp on my boat

And if I were Luigi

I’d own the Arenui

I’d have all the nicest wood without fail

Oh, it’s just be Mei and me.

We’d ride through Indonesia

We bought a boat, and on the sea we’d sail.

And if I had a boat

I’d host the Kids Sea Camp

And if I host Kids Sea Camp

I’d show ’em how I’d float

And we could all be together

Go out on the ocean

I said me and Kids Sea Camp on my boat

Well, our Italian host was smart

He got himself a Dino

‘Cause Dino did the dirty work for free

But Dino was smarter

One day, someone said, “Boss man, sir!”

“Kiss my ass, I bought a boat, I’m going out to sea.”

And if I had a boat

I’d host the Kids Sea Camp

And if I host Kids Sea Camp

I’d show ’em how I’d float

And we could all be together

Go out on the ocean

I said me and Kids Sea Camp on my boat

And if I were like Tom and Margo

We’d live for the ocean breeze

We’d go and dive wherever we pleased

And we’d teach kids in Bonaire

And we’d teach ’em in Belize

And kids everywhere would learn to dive with ease

And if I had a boat

I’d host the Kids Sea Camp

And if I host Kids Sea Camp

I’d show ’em how I’d float

And we could all be together

Go out on the ocean

I said me and Kids Sea Camp

by Brian Dewan (sung to the melody of the Lyle Lovett song…apologies, Lyle!)

​Becoming a diver

by
Kids Sea Camp, becoming a diver, Kids and dive training

Is Kids Sea Camp a dream?

By Athena Gennone, age 10

Pale rays of tropical daylight filter through blue-tinted water as a ball of thin silver fish passes me by. Underneath, long streaks of flourishing orange corals stretch out, trees planted into the sandy floor. Is this a dream? No, it’s Kid’s Sea Camp!

My mom and I are at Buddy Dive on the beautiful island of Bonaire. It is more than a tropical family dive vacation; it’s a mother-daughter adventure that changed my life.

Here’s my experience of becoming a diver at the Kids’ Sea Camp!

I woke up on August 10 with the excitement of this new world in my eyes. This wasn’t a regular vacation day; this was the day I started my PADI Jr. Open Water (JOW) course at Kids’ Sea Camp!

When I was dressed and ready, I walked out of our brightly colored orange-and-yellow room, which stood out vibrantly against the surrounding turquoise water. I see the unearthly, gentle water lapping at the wooden dock to the left. My mom and I walked past the Blennies restaurant, enjoying the turquoise views, before turning toward the staircase to the dock below.

Meeting my instructors

As we walked down the steps, we saw the Kids Sea Camp and Buddy Instructors (Vanessa, Madi, Sven, Joe, and Mark), who waved to us from beside a round wooden table, topped with a large umbrella and a sign that said “JOW class.” They were warm, welcoming, and as lovely as anyone could ever be. They were helpful and kind, always lending a hand, but also allowed me to be independent and gain experience doing things on my own.

Before I did the open-water dives in the ocean, I had to complete my confined training dives in the pool. The Camp this week had a full JOW class of 12 kids, ages 10 to 15, with 4 PADI Instructors and other divemaster assistants.

The first day was challenging

On my first day, I learned how to set up and use my dive gear, including my BCD (buoyancy control device), regulator and gauges, air tanks, fins, mask, and snorkel. The first day was challenging, and I felt as though I’d never get it, but as the course progressed, I was required to take apart and reassemble my gear many times, and I began to understand. Over the three days of the course, I had it memorized and was ready to go each morning. My excitement towards the end of the week was to show my mom that I could get my gear set up and ready to jump off the dock and enjoy a dive with her.

During my course, I learned PADI diving skills and basic hand signals that evolved as we progressed toward becoming a diver.

Kids Sea Camp, becoming a diver, Kids and dive trainingFloating in divine heaven

The very first morning, I remember sliding my fins on and stepping into the shallow end of the pool with my gear on. We were split into our four groups, always with our instructors and buddies. We were practicing the pool skills we would use again in the ocean. My first breath underwater felt as if I was floating in divine heaven, the sun rays glimmering like golden gates through the water in front of me.

My excitement is bubbling inside me

On the day of my first open-water dive, we finished setting up our gear, had a dive briefing, and then a snack of green grapes. I remember my excitement bubbling inside me as I walked down the metal staircase that led into the calm, clear ocean.

The weight of the shiny grey tank decreased as I slipped into the water. I slid my long fins onto my feet as tiny waves lapped at my chest. My BCD, inflated with air, helped me stay afloat as I paddled over to my buddy, who waited patiently for the rest of us to join.

I dipped my face into the salty seawater and saw a bright teal parrot fish scuffling among the white sand and chipped pieces of coral that lay upon the bottom. My vision was a bit clouded by a light fog that blanketed the inside of my mask’s glass.

I learned to equalize my ears

When my head bobbed back up, Madi was looking at me expectantly. “Sorry,” I mumbled silently as she began to speak. The instructors briefed us on what we would be doing underwater. After we discussed the dive plan and signals, we held our deflator hose in the air and descended. I learned to equalize my ears.

I watched my buddy’s face light up as a small school of sparkling fish swam underneath us. One of them stopped to examine my fin, then kept swimming. My buddy Hadley was already ahead of me, waving for me to pull myself away from the extraordinary sights that I wanted to enjoy more of.

Signaling underwater

The other instructors and kids were diving alongside in their buddy teams as we headed to the training area. Vanessa turned to check on me as I had stopped again to observe two little angelfish swimming side by side. She asked, “Okay?” by making the okay sign with her hands. I nodded, making the same signal back to her.

As we passed a thicket of colorful coral, a huge yellow spotted eel emerged from its hiding place. Vanessa pointed to it, gave the diving group time to look, and we moved on. Another group of KSC kids, recognizable by their Scubapro dive gear, followed, their fins kicking through the water eagerly as they passed us by.

We descended to 20ft. I equalized my ears again. My buddy looked at me with a bit of concern in her eyes as she, too, equalized and then signaled, ‘Okay?’ I signaled back to her. We then watched a school of silverfish part as they swam past us.

UGH! The mask skill

My instructor, Vanessa, stopped again to check on us, then turned to point out a tiny spotted drumfish in a cleft within a piece of coral.

We finally reached the training area, and my instructor signaled to me to demonstrate the mask removal and replacement skill. If I didn’t have a regulator in my mouth, I would’ve groaned louder than the blue whale calls. This was not my favorite skill.

I had practiced taking my mask off many times in the pool, but I reluctantly nodded and peeled my mask off my face. Squeezing my eyes shut tight to keep out the salt water that would soon surround my face. My instructor’s hand was gently holding me so I could put my mask back on. Grabbing my scuba mask strap and pulling it over my head, pressing my mask against my face at the top, looking up, blowing air from my nose, and clearing my mask. When the flooding salty seawater had been emptied out of my mask, I opened my eyes.

Vanessa gave me an enthusiastic high-five and continued to ask the other students to remove their masks one by one. This was how we did each skill, one at a time, with big high-fives after each of us completed one. After our skills were done, Vanessa would take us on a short, fun dive.

Diving is so mesmerizing

She pointed into crevices to show us an octopus, and we saw white Spotted Drumfish and little fish called Sargent Majors. Vanessa loved pointing critters out to us, and we would bundle around her to peer at them, creating a pod of young divers. After the fun dives, although only for a few minutes, we would head back the way we came. My heart always sank as we came closer and closer to the end of our precious dives. I was snapped out of my thoughts one dive when my buddy rapidly tapped me and pointed to something exciting, like a long, white, and yellow-spotted eel dancing on the sand below.

On another dive, I looked up to see a massive silver fish with dark silver stripes jiggling out from its stomach and back; it was almost bigger than me. A Tarpon! My blue-gray eyes widened, and I signaled “cool” to my buddy, falling behind in the group as I stared at the Tarpon, its long fin disappearing into the water. Diving is so mesmerizing.

Time flies underwater

Twenty minutes could fly by, and it felt like twenty seconds. At the end of each dive, we headed to the Buddy Dive metal staircase that spiraled out of the water and up to the dock in front of us. Vanessa signaled “Okay?” to the diving group and instructed us to ascend slowly. We all gave her a final “Okay” as she lifted her inflator hose above her head, and we followed her like clones to the surface.

I inflated my BCD, feeling my weight lighten as I stopped kicking. Vanessa, taking her regulator out of her mouth, congratulated us on a class well done, and she climbed the stairs to the dock. She waved for us to follow, and I removed my regulator from my mouth. “That was so awesome!” I exclaimed happily after every dive.

Thank you, Mom and Kids Sea Camp

On Friday afternoon, while walking back to our room, past the Blennies restaurant and the turquoise water and white-sand beach, the colorful lizards scuttling along our path, the tropical birds singing melodies from the palm trees rising toward the still-bright sun, I shared my day with my mom. I thanked her for this experience, as it would stay a fond memory in my head and create a special place in my heart forever.