Tom Peyton

Philippines: The jewels of the visayas sea

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Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton, Whale Sharks, Family Scuba Diving Vacations, Family Dive Adventures, The Philippines

Welcome to the jewel of the Philippines

Our children’s world has become much larger as today’s technology helps us to engage “virtually” in ways we never dreamed possible. However, beyond our smartphones, there is still a big, beautiful, real world out there. It’s filled with the kind of learning and adventure that expands our hearts and minds in a way technology cannot. The adventure in the Philippines is a jewel of a diving vacation.

When we travel with our children, we provide them with personal experiences that they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives. If you’re eager to plan your next scuba diving adventure as a family, here is the latest off-the-beaten-path treasure that Tom and I have just explored and that Kids Sea Camp has approved.

Islands in the Visayas Sea

Upon landing on the main island, Cebu, we were met with friendly smiles and helpful hands. Biggs Eggert with Sea Explorers provided us cool face cloths, bottled water, and hugs. We quickly headed to board a Banca boat, which reminded me of a giant bamboo water spider; it was spacious and smooth sailing, like a mystical chariot to our first dive location.

Malapascua has become well known as a premier dive destination fairly recently

This tiny island, just a little more than a mile long, is home to several villages that exist either directly or indirectly to support the growing dive tourism industry.

I have read that Malapascua is the only known place on Earth where one can dive with the endangered thresher sharks and, as I prefer, in a natural setting on seamount cleaning stations at Monad Shoal. Biggs said we would dive with the sharks at sunrise, and as crazy as that sounds, it was not hard at all. Jet lag combined well with the time lag, and we were wide awake and ready to dive at 5 A.M.!

Thresher sharks

Thresher sharks have been on my wishlist for many years, and seeing them on every dive far exceeded my expectations. The shoals also attract devil rays, pelagic fish, and hammerheads; more than enough to thrill any diver. Families can enjoy diving the coral gardens, coral walls as well as further-out sites including Gato Island and Kemod Shoal.

Malapascua has at least 20 dive operations and hotels situated along Bounty Beach; however, Tom and I found only two properties we would deem as family-friendly. Ocean Vida and Buena Vida both have connecting rooms, family-friendly food, and kid-friendly staff. Ocean Vida is oceanfront, and Buena Vida is right in the middle of the local village, hosting an amazing spa and restaurant that would please any palette. Gourmet breakfasts, vegan and vegetarian dishes and fresh seafood are featured.

Sea Explorers a PADI five-star IDC

Sea Explorers, a PADI five-star IDC, is our No. 1 pick for diving and island hopping throughout the islands of the Visayas Sea. Exceptional service and knowledge, smaller dive gear, tanks sized for kids, and a well-trained staff for all levels of divers. They easily accommodate big-rig photographers, single families, and large groups like ours. Each Banca boat offered hot coffee or tea, warm face cloths, fresh fruit, and baked bread upon returning from our dives. To top it all off, I never touched my gear; it was rinsed and set up perfectly adorned atop my nitrox tank, awaiting my return. Heaven! I have to say, nothing made the staff happier than to see the smile on our faces, and I guess that’s why the Sea Explorers’ tagline is “Dive with a smile,” because we certainly did.

Negros Island was our next stop

We were beyond surprised when we arrived at Pura Vida Homes. Fourteen luxurious two-bedroom villas are handcrafted with rich hardwoods and have breathtaking views of the mountains and sea. The resort sits on a beautiful beach with three infinity pools, a restaurant, a gym, a spa, and a wedding chapel.

Being that it was our 10th wedding anniversary, we could not resist the opportunity to renew our vows at sunrise. Owner Chris Heim was delighted to give me away. Biggs accepted as my maid of honor, and the local pastor presided, as his lovely daughter sang. I have no words for how special Sea Explorers made us feel throughout our trip. They treat everyone like family.

There were mountain villages to explore, and infinite pristine reefs teeming with fish to dive, like Apo Island, which provided endless views of colorful soft corals, punctuated with my favorite, turtles! We could have stayed a month and not been bored.

Whale sharks

On our way to Bohol aboard our Banca boat, Dako, we were able to dive in 35 feet of warm, clear water and observe these gentle giants feeding on krill. I had only been diving with whale sharks in the Galapagos, and it was fabulous in these much warmer waters. Kids and families can snorkel or dive anytime during their stay.

Amun Ini is a small 16-room, five-star dive resort and the most luxurious little gem we found yet. Family-owned and family-run.  Amun Ini means “This is mine,” and I can understand why, as anyone would want to claim it for themselves. A beautiful, private white sand beach, infinity pool, and large, spacious rooms greeted us at this eco-friendly, holistic, and organic scuba retreat.

Did I mention it’s kid-friendly?

The owner’s daughter and her husband are the gourmet chefs, who create local dishes that will tantalize your taste buds and make you feel like you’re dining in one of the top 10 restaurants in the world. Did I mention it’s kid-friendly? The chef’s two little girls, ages 3 and 5, joined us each day. I loved seeing the smiles on their faces when I told them about Kids Sea Camp and all the kids we would return with to play together in the ocean.

Beyond diving, I must mention the things Tom thought were more than noteworthy. Everyone in the Philippines plays basketball,  and they are really good at it too! Tom played a few games after diving with the dive team, and it was almost as good as the diving.

In addition, there are sunset massages, culinary classes, yoga, and kayaking. We also enjoyed the many hugs from some of the happiest children we encountered throughout our trip. These are humble people who prize family and each other above all things.

The diving had the most incredible, healthy, and vibrant reefs I have ever seen. Biggs asked me if I wanted to do some muck diving. I had read about this type of addictive diving, hunting for the tiniest of critters on the sandy bottom. I found tiger shrimp the size of a grain of rice, multicolored frogfish the size of a gumball, and pygmy seahorses, all well camouflaged to the eyes of any would-be predators.

Cabilao Island, our next stop via the Chocolate Hills

The hanging bridge and a zip line to stay at Pura Vida Cabilao. Another spectacular Sea Explorer resort with 2O spacious oceanfront suites, more breathtaking views, and completely surrounded by endless coral walls. The unlimited shore diving offered many opportunities to encounter a wide range of tiny critters, turtles, rays, sharks, and even schools of wild dolphins.

This boutique island resort offers a personal closeness that is perfect for small groups and the Kids Sea Camp. The dining offers a personalized touch with a menu prepared to please.

A welcoming, safe, and smile-driven island

All in all, we have given a good chunk of our hearts to the Philippines, as we found it to be one of the most welcoming, safe, and smile-driven places we have encountered to date. If you’re ready to take a break from your virtual world, I invite you to taste experience to the utmost, to teach your children to reach out without fear to explore a world that will bring their imagination to life.

Join us for an extraordinary journey to the Philippines. I encourage you to open your children’s eyes to humility, happiness, and a new way of looking at life that they will remember forever.

By Margo Peyton, President of Kids Sea Camp Inc. 

They think I’m fearless

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Whale shark, Kids Sea Camp, Palau
Diving with whale sharks is so amazing

Traveling with KSC has become my favorite family holiday, and it’s making me fearless. I was 4 years old when I attended my first Kids Sea Camp (KSC), my brother, Zebedee, was 5. My parents discovered KSC in Sport Diver magazine, reading a story just like this.

Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton kids and divingMy mom and dad are both keen divers and were hoping my brother and I would like diving as well. Luckily for them, we absolutely love it, and diving is a regular part of our family lifestyle. KSC makes sure all programs and diving are safe, fun, and interactive for our entire family. Each year, our family picks 1 or 2 different trips to attend. I have been to Curacao, Utila, Roatan, St. Lucia, Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Dominica, Fiji, Yap, Palau, and the Philippines for a grand total of 24 dive weeks with KSC. (See our KSC calendar)

I have worked my way through the PADI certifications from SASY, Seal Team, JOW, Zebedee, and I am currently both a PADI Jr. Master Scuba Diver, all through KSC. Snorkeling is rarely as interesting as diving, but snorkeling with the whale sharks of Oslob with Sea Explorers last summer in the Philippines was so remarkable and far more exciting than diving.

Margo, this is the best day of my life!

The sharks came so close that I had to keep moving out of their way because they would not move out of mine. Zeb shouted, “Margo, this is the best day of my life!” I think we all agreed. Not everyone feels about diving the way I do; some are scared. The hardest part of overcoming fear is having the courage to jump in. Once you learn the facts about marine animals and face your fears, you can really enjoy diving and snorkeling in the ocean.

Last year in Roatan, my buddy Abby, who was 11, was too afraid to perform her mask-removal skill. Being a fellow kid diver, I demonstrated for her how easy it was and told her that everything would be “Ok”. She felt so much better. With our instructor, Woody Tinsley, she then jumped in and completed the skill perfectly. I was so happy to help because we had a great time diving together all week. That experience opened my eyes to the desire to help other kids overcome their fears about diving.

I am not afraid of sharks

Many kids fear sharks because they don’t know enough about them. Most sharks are actually rare to see on a dive. I am not afraid of sharks and look forward to seeing them.

One of my greatest moments was being in the water for Abby’s first shark. Because I was so excited to see one, she was keen to see a shark too. Luckily for her, we got to see a nurse shark diving in Roatan. I reflected on the first day she dove with me when she was terrified of everything underwater. It was very inspiring to experience and influence that kind of change in Abby as she conquered her fears.

Becoming a PADI divemaster

That experience makes me want to become a PADI divemaster. I want to help more people face their fears. I would love to encourage other kids to try scuba diving and explore the ocean. I want to educate people about the underwater world so that they won’t be afraid.

Last summer, my family took us back to Palau, where Zeb got certified. I was 9 years old then and a PADI Seal Team diver. We all got to dive and see dolphins, sharks, mantas, giant clams, and nautilus, and I even snorkeled at Jelly Fish Lake. It was so superb that I wanted to go back again and experience it as a diver, and it was 10 times better than I expected! The manta and sharks showed up, as did everything else.

Diving is my passion

Diving is a passion, and that means if you want a rare opportunity to dive with Thresher sharks, as I did in Malapascua, then waking up at 4 A.M. is the time to go diving. I’ll admit, I wasn’t thrilled about 4 A.M., but watching Threshers just above my head at sunrise was so worth it! If you don’t know what a Thresher shark is, look it up. Their tail is the same length as their body, and they use that huge tail to stun the fish they eat.

KSC has given me tons of unforgettable experiences. When I tell my friends that I dive with whale sharks and snorkel right next to them, they think I’m fearless. They can’t believe how large whale sharks are or that they don’t have teeth.

Going to KSC introduces great career possibilities for young divers, too. For example, my brother Zeb is very interested in photography. KSC gives away SeaLife underwater cameras and nurtures and encourages those with a passion for underwater photography. Zebedee’s picture of a ghost pipefish from our trip to the Philippines won the RSPCA Photographer of the Year award.

KSC is a global event

Meeting kids from around the world is also a special part of the trips. In the Philippines, a group of children would greet us each morning before and after our dives. We talked with them, took pictures with them, and just had fun together. We looked forward to seeing each other daily. We played basketball and visited villages and schools. On our final day, the children ran beside our van, crying and waving goodbye. I  loved the father-daughter trip we took to Dominica for spring break, and I can’t wait for the Galapagos and Cayman Brac this summer.

Thank you, Margo, Tom, and the KSC crew, for some of the most memorable experiences of my life. I also thank the staff at the dive resorts we have visited for keeping us safe and being so much fun.

By Holly Wakely, age 14

Paul Zanelli: Diving back into life

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Special needs, Handicapped divers, Kids Sea Camp, Assisted diving, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving, Kids Sea Camp, Kids and scuba

Diving, no matter what

I am Paul Zanelli, a volunteer fireman and EMT for over 35 years, a husband, father, and now an amputee. I had spent 33 days confined to a hospital bed after crushing my right foot during a home project.

A tough morning

When I opened my eyes the morning of December 23, 2016, minus a leg. Looking up at the hospital room TV to see a one-legged superstar running a Spartan race. It was as if God were trying to show me a new world of possibilities. Christmas was spent in the hospital with my family and friends. So many people came to visit, and as much joy as that brought me, it was hard to see the pain and sorrow in their eyes. I was out of pain! Thinking to myself, I did not need them to feel sorry for me. So I became determined to stay strong and lead a normal life.

I came home from the hospital on December 27 with equal measures of hope and fear. One of the first people to reach out to me was Margo Peyton, owner of Kids Sea Camp, and her call was the start of a new and wonderful relationship with her, my family, and diving.

The KSC solution

I met Margo and her husband, Tom Peyton, the year before at Kids Sea Camp (KSC) in Roatan, Honduras. It had been a dream come true for us. Cindy Zanelli and I were avid divers for over a decade, but after having children, dive trips were replaced with Disney and water parks.

We stumbled upon KSC when the kids turned 10 and wanted to dive too. In Roatan, we dove and made friends with other adults, while the kids were getting certified and making friends of their own. It felt great for all of us to finally be diving together. We planned to dive, which is a big part of our lives, and had booked another KSC trip for Spring Break 2017 in Dominica, at the Fort Young Hotel and Buddy Dive Dominica.

While lying in the hospital bed in December, the doctors told me there was no way that I would be diving in April. It was only 4 months away, so I sadly told my wife to cancel our family vacation, and in perfect Cindy form, she said NO!

We are going diving

Keeping that trip scheduled was one of the best decisions ever. The Zanelli family needed this trip. I wanted to show my kids (and myself) that life would be as good or better than before. And what made it all come together was this unexpected call from Margo. She had been following my story on Facebook, with lots of love and prayers throughout.

Margo called to tell me she had made all the arrangements for me with a handicap room, an HSA instructor, some big, strong dive guides to help me in and out of the water, and anything else I could possibly need to make this work. She even arranged the land excursions that ensured no far walks for me or a path where I could be driven to the top of the fort or waterfalls. To top it all off,  she even purchased me a Sub Gravity underwater scooter through her not-for-profit foundation, Oceanwishes.org.

Margo the problem solver

The scooter was small, compact, and easy to use. It could be used with one or two arms. The scooter provided assistance diving if I got tired, and was a whole lot of fun. Margo loves challenges and is one of the most loving people I have ever met. She proudly proclaimed, “Paul, we got this!” and with that, launched me into getting back in shape and continuing to plan our dream dive trip to Dominica.

Margo and I connected in NJ at the Beneath the Sea Dive Show in March. She was elated to see me walking with my new prosthetic leg and introduced me to ‘Dive Heart’ to get neutrally buoyant fins to fit my new foot. I was excited about the Scuba Pro fins and meeting some great people who were already doing what I was still dreaming about.

Diving in Dominica

We arrived in Dominica just 4 months after my surgery. I was walking on my new prosthetic, carrying the underwater scooter, and a swim prosthetic (Aqua Leg) strapped to my backpack. Fort Young Hotel was beautiful and located right on the water, with our room overlooking the ocean. Buddy Dive was ready and waiting for me. I spent the first full day trying out my new Aqua leg, learning to use my new dive gear, and getting comfortable diving. Niels, who runs Buddy Dive, was ready to assist in any way, so  I jumped in for a checkout dive off the dock.  That was the greatest feeling in the world, my friends. I cannot describe the freedom and joy I felt getting back in the water and descending to depth, and diving again. After my awesome check-out dive, it was game on!

I had my family around me, and that family now included the Whites and the Peyton’s. The Zanelli family just got bigger. We were so fortunate to have the friends we met last year in Roatan, Jay & Lisa White, and their boys, reconnect with us in Dominica. They brought an extra scooter and a shared passion for hunting Lionfish. Cindy, Lisa, and Margo were focusing on underwater photography, and the kids were scootering around together and having a blast. Life was great again!

‘We Got This’ mentality.

Buddy Dive in Dominica accommodates every level of diver, and it was easy for the kids and me. We enjoyed diving with adults on our own boats in the mornings, then diving as a family in the afternoons. We had fun looking for Sperm whales, and I even jumped off the top of the Buddy Express boat with all the kids! Abby and JAZ took a digital photo class with Margo and shot some amazing underwater images. We ate fresh Lionfish fritters and ceviche each night.

Margo and Tom always put safety first, and that made our trip stress-free. It was just what my soul needed, and all made possible by Next Step Orthopedics and Kids Sea Camp’s ‘We Got This’ mentality.

It was hard to say goodbye, but we are busy planning our next KSC trip to Belize next March! The Zanelli family will be back in the water!

Story by Paul Zanelli, father, husband, diver, EMT, fireman, and all-around inspirational human being. See Paul’s profile in Sport Diver.

Wakatobi poems 2017

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Poems from the Kids Sea Camp at Wakatobi

Here are poems from the 2017 Kids Sea Camp week from the week at Wakatobi resort. 

(Sung to “My Favorite Things”)

Unknown author

Black-banded sea kraits and large tiger cowries.

Leaf fish and stonefish that scoot cross the floor seas.

Whip coral.
Gobis and yellow jawfish smiles for all,
These creatures dive traveled the miles,
Schooling black snapper and Chromis wearing jammies,
Bubble coral shrimp and anemone fish families,
Hawksbills and spotted rays that fly if, on wings, these are a few of my favorite things,
When the dive ends,
when its surface time,
when we need a break,
I can’t wait to go back to the restaurant resort to eat what the staff has baked,
Pancit and dragon fruit and fresh tuna poke,
Josh Comay’s photo tips,
our, kids singing karaoke,
sarong tying lessons and a village tour stop,
Kids Sea Camp, Wakatobi really does rock.
So if you’re thinking about a family trip and really want to dive,

Ask Margo and Tom about Wakatobi resort for an adventure to come alive.

KSC Wakatobi
By Joe Abad Santos
When you go diving in Wakatobi many feet below.
Did you check your dive tank and your buoyancy?
Get your dive mask so you can see?
We’ve got the best dive crew and made some new friends,
what else would I need?
Did you see the cool cuttlefish,
that ever elusive cuttlefish,
Diving in Wakatobi
We went exploring the reefs every day, 
3 boats dive per day,
Tiger flatworms nudibranchs, spotted rays,
nemo clownfish and a shark that swam away
So many creatures so weird and so cool,
what else did you see?
Did you see that seahorse, 
that tiny pygmy seahorse diving in Wakatobi?
Here at Kids Sea Camp, 
kids learn how to dive with friends from near and far.
Adventures and great food are guaranteed.
Margo and Tom in-charge of all that you’ll need.
You won’t have any worries,
you will have a blast,
Oh, when can I come back?
To the best diving for trip adventures of a lifetime.
Diving at Kids Sea Camp!

Kids Sea Camp news: Poetry recount!

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Poetry Recount!

A formal request for a recount comes the day after the annual poetry contest in St. Lucia.

Dateline: Columbia, South Carolina, Kids Sea Camp offices

In a rare and unusual request, an anonymous letter was sent to Tom Peyton, Vice-President of Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures, on Saturday, November 29th. The letter clearly states a feeling of discrimination from the “non-divers” by the Kids Sea Camp “all divers” panel that could possibly impact the choices made by the judges.

The poem in question was written and performed during the poetry night on Friday, November 28th. In fact, the team, in protest, would like to relinquish their prizes. This is the first time in the 15 year history of the contest such a request has ever been made.

“We are looking into the seriousness of the accusations,” Tom Peyton responded to the letter, “It is our corporate policy to look into any dissatisfaction with any of our families. Even the appearance of any prejudice would be considered a major issue for us. We have a private investigations team dealing with the issue.”

The protest letter even calls into question the accuracy of Peyton’s homemade clap-o-meter. The device, made from the Vice-President’s two arms, two hands and ears, reflects the power of the applause by the group. “My clap-o-meter, yeah, it’s part of the issue,” Peyton laughed, “We have been looking for an affordable replacement for it for years. But we have not been able to find a solution.”

When asked about changing the outcome of the contest, Peyton responded, “We believe in our contest and the outcome will not change. But, it doesn’t mean some sort of corrective action isn’t going to take place.”

Utila, Kids Sea Camp poems

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Poems from Kids Sea Camp weeks in Utila

Here are the poems from the Kids Sea Camp weeks in Utila. Kids Sea Camp has a poetry presentation every Friday night at the closing celebration.

Perfect 10

By The Ward family

Oh, beautiful Utila, what an adventure you’ve been,
Laguna Beach resort has earned a “perfect 10.”
The whole staff was so kind, the crew second to none,
Underwater or on land we couldn’t have had more fun.
Critters and creatures everywhere, with no rhyme or reason,
They even found us Whale sharks and it’s not even the season.
The mosquitoes and no-see-ums tried to spoil our dives,
But the Zombie Apocalypse had them running for their lives.
Every dive was amazing, there’s no way we couldn’t win,
Kids Sea Camp Utila, we can’t wait to do it again!

Whale Shark

By Annie Myron

Whale shark, Whale shark
What do you see?
I see a human snorkeling by me.
Whale shark, Whale shark spots to and fro,
Whale shark where did you go?

Utilean Waters

By the Schaffer family

Up from the depths of the Utilean waters,
A majestic spotted beast glides past.
Up on deck of the boat, we sought her,
Mask, fins, and snorkel put them on fast.
Jump into the water and follow her down,
Hold our breaths with cameras steady.
Aim, point, and shoot for the best picture in town
But if you blink your eyes, she will be gone already.

Passport in pocket

By The Myron family

Come, divers, come snorkels,
All family and friends.
It’s off to Kids Sea Camp,
Where the fun never ends.
Passport in pocket,
Dive bag in hand.
The adventure begins,
When our feet touch the sand.
A sweetheart named Margo,
Is there from the start.
A smile so big,
And a magnificent heart.
A bold guy named Woody,
Takes our kids for a dive.
We all think ourselves,
Please bring’em back alive.
A Whale shark, a seahorse,
Our week comes to an end.
We leave Laguna Beach resort
Having made a new friend.
She walks on four legs,
And Coco’s her name.
She surely belongs,
In the Dog Hall of Fame.

UTILA

By the Tappero family

U: Unlimited fun diving, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding and four-wheeling.
T: Terrific times seeing whale sharks, rays, turtles, eels and many exotic fish. Special Thanks to all who work for Laguna Beach resort for all the hard work and great service this week.
I: Intense pressure, learning the Zombie Dive and Water signs. Thanks to Woody and Kevin for all the hard work.
L: Landing and having fun with all the interesting families from all over the world. Hope we see you all again at another Kids Sea Camp.
A: Awesome time on a great vacation, thanks to Margo for all the hard work to make this such a wonderful vacation for all of us.

Kids Sea Camp poems from Costa Rica

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Ode to Ocotal poems in Costa Rica

Poems from Kids Sea Camp in Costa Rica at Ocotal Dive Resort.

Ode to Ocotal

By the Sutherlands family

Diving days, sharks, eels,
enormous rays,
even turtles in the haze.Hot and cold, cold and hot,
Thermoclines in every sport.
Pat Patel, rain like hell,
Can’t get a towel in Ocotal.
Neighborly sounds through the door,
Hope to god we didn’t snore.Up and down the steep incline,
could have used a zipline.Volleyball in the pool,
all the kids acting cool.Surfing beach, youngster good,
Parents doing what they could.Meeting early, leaving late,
Next time let’s just plan for eight.
Mud spa, riding horses,
Zooming down the zipline courses.
Margo home with her back,
Nanette kept it all on track.No Wakely’s here to make a rhyme,
We’ll all have a chance this time.Now we’re dome with river rafting,
Last activity poem crafting.Enjoyed the time we all spent here,

Perhaps we’ll see back next year.

Kids Sea camp again

By the Olsen family,

Summer again, Kids Sea Camp— it’s now five years,

Lots of diving, beautiful fish and never a fear.Food, friends, and fun—much to learn and share,
With Nanette and “Scuba”, we have a care!
White tips, puffers, starfish, and eels galore,
Great diving, many photos, new sites to explore.
Beautiful country, nice people, sunsets of very hue,
Great week all-in-all, except for the early curfew.Up the hills we went, fine horses to ride,
Then to the bottom, we zipped—a total glide.Rafting last day, great week for all,

Flying home tomorrow —safe travels to all!

Costa Rica Pura Vida

By the Suwczinsky family

A pool with a view; a bar with drinks,
Smoothies made whats on hand;
rum tequila and coconuts found in the sand.Uphill, downhill;
diner breakfast and lunch,
“What, there was a shuttle?” asked a tired diver from the bunch.
Visibility is clear, no surge at times;
great dive masters and a little thermocline,
Four boats, three dives a day, sharks, eels and lots of rays.
It’s raining, it’s pouring; surfing is anything but boring;
push up stand up, ride the waves, guys,
Keep your balance, for the Tamarindo vibes.Slather on the volcanic mud; Jacuzzi spa, then rinse with suds,
A horse ride up a scenic hill; the thirteen ziplines for a thrill.Whitewater rafting with a 12-foot drop,
Paddle backward, forwards and then a stop.We talk to teens via morse code,
Then brought them home, although they had to be towed.A slamming bathroom door made long trips on the bus,
After all that — “All-inclusive” is a plus.As the week in Costa Rica ends,
We say goodbye to new and old friends.We are all so different, but share our love to dive,

And agree on one thing — curfew is 8:45.

Filed Under: KIDS SEA CAMP MAIN, KIDS SEA CAMP PARENTS POEMS, Poetry

The Danks return to Kids Sea Camp, again!

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Back to Kids Sea Camp again and again

The poem was written by the Danks family on Kids Sea Camp Grand Cayman. The Danks family, all ten of them, have been to at least 10  of our family weeks. The Danks use the Kids Sea Camp weeks as a family reunion. 

Ayden: Making new friends is always the best
And ditching our parents — they’re such a pest

Kiera: I got my C-card — yippee! hooray!
But my dad is my dive buddy? Boo hoo…no way!

David: I learned how to rescue, or so I’ve been told
But pulling Jim from the water just made me feel old.

Mark: Rebreathers & tec, scooters & more
I love trying gadgets, but they leave me so sore.

Maia: On our night dive, we saw a huge crab
Wait — not me! — it’s Avery you should grab!

Liz: Not quite an Ironman, but still a nice feat
Getting certified here was quite the treat.

Joe: Camera in hand, the fish are so sneaky.
At least I can’t lose my dive buddy Squeakily!

Carol: You’re oh so clever, you think you are funny
But watch out for sharks, Mister Chummy!

Mara: Not going diving is sometimes quite hard
Naps, books, and painting fill my dance card.

Sharon: Turtles & eagle rays, lobsters & eels

Ragtime found the lionfish, so where’s our meal?

For seven straight years, the Danks has come back
Doing our part to keep Kids Sea Camp in the black.

Galapagos Family Adventure poems

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2011 Galapagos Poems during a Kids Sea Camp

Here poems from the Galapagos liveaboard adventure during Kids Sea Camp. KSC host a poetry presentation every Friday the night of the closing celebration.

The Stookey Bunch (to the Brady Bunch theme)

This is a story

Of a family named Stookey

That was sailing with five very crazy kids

Christian and Nelson were so frightened

Until the KSC staff walked in

The kids were whining-

Putting on their thick wetsuits

And the water was choppy, rough and cold

But when the sharks, rays, and dolphins swam by

It was all worthwhile

Then the whale shark

Took our breath away

As he silently glided by

Then much too quickly the dive was over

And the strong panga guys arrived

Back to the ship for coco and snacks

We’ll  need to add more weights to our belts

But it’s all worth it to dive at Darwin

We wish it would never end

This is the end of our story

But not the end of our diving adventures.

Teaching our children to love the oceans

So they can protect it!    

The End

The Quest

By John Coniff, (12)  & Vanessa Clark

We came to Darwin’s Arch from far and wide

Hoping to see a whale shark, but so far been deprived.

The current is strong,

Our wait has been long.

We’ve seen eels, hammerheads. Tuna and even an eagle ray,

But our quest has been held at bay

Our parents promised us at least one

Before our trip to the Galapagos was done.

Nelson’s videos are awesome but not enough,

We want the real stuff!

We will listen closely for Christian’s shaker,

Only that won’t be a faker.

Tomorrow will for sure be the day

That whale sharks did pass in the blue and made us say    

HOORAY!!!!

The Galapagos

By Cristina & Carlos Castello

A longtime dream

Finally enjoyed

With my kid

and all the members Of the friendly crew

Are showing us the wonders of this beautiful sea.

Hammers, “Galapagos” turtles and seals, dancing with the dolphins’

Surrounding me!!

And coming out of the blue, here is what we see,

A whale shark for me.

Kids Sea Camp Roatan Poems

by

Laguna Beach Resort Poems 20111

K- ids having fun every day
I- n the water bright and early
D-olphins for all
S-harks for some

S-un shine abounds
E-el’s down deep
A-ndrea rocks!

C- alderone rocks too!
A-nd rough seas
M-akes for
P- lentiful FUN!

By: Denice Tappero

Our family came here from the “Highlands”
To spend time in these beautiful islands
Drinking beer by the glass, here in hon-dur-as
And will leave these good islands a smiling
Rotten Ronnie is the best his pirate name is Rogest
We think at times he’s lost his mind!
You’ll Think he’s crazy but he’s really kind!
Our family loves it by the sea
We are as happy as can be
scuba diving is so much fun
We won’t go home until we are done

By: Robert Parker

R-eef diving in search of colorful fish
O-cean clear and blue greatest wish
A-bstract art with rotten Ronnie he’s the best
T-ropical island –so much to do no time to rest
A-nimals – paco the parrot and peter the monkey
Our new best friend
N-ever enough week sad to see the end

By: K. Van Dike

The same kid, from Bermuda
Who wanted to see a barracuda
Went diving one day
and got lost on the way
and ended up in Cuba

By: Holly Wakely

There was a young man from Bermuda
Who wanted to see a barracuda
He does the best that he can
he went to Utila
At Kids Sea Camp he learned
How to scuba

By: Zebedee Wakely

To Bay Islands we made the trek and got
To dive on a big wreck
But the best part for our whole group
Is the Kids Sea Camp troup
About the ocean, the kids learned much
Seeing dolphins, fish, turtles and such
To Rogest and Margo and everyone thanks
So much

By: Doris & Bob Schaffer