Tom Peyton I don’t like poems; I don’t like them at all.
But here at Kids Sea Camp, i’be been having a ball.
KSC is a win, like how near a nurse shark came to my fin. We saw many fish on the reef, and a few sharks in the deep, but I really love the water, which I can enter without wearing a glove
So much better than cold Monterey, where you can’t go a day without being warm.
by Malcolm at Blackbird Caye in Belize, 2026
I’ve been obsessed with photographing sheep since seeing Dr. Alex Mustard’s famous photograph. I booked my Kids Sea Camp Philippines trip with Margo and Tom Peyton in 2020. When I learned that “Shaun the Sheep” could easily be found on most dives, I was excited about shooting this little sea slug. The guides at Amunini are incredible, and you can find almost anything you ask for, including the sheep! (Shout out to Reggie and Dave.) Finding Shaun the Sheep underwater is fun, but capturing a photo of one of the critters you could imagine is quite the challenge.
They are among the most difficult to capture because they live on a single green leaf growing on the sandy bottom. Furthermore, they tend to blend in with their environment, namely, the leaf they’re trying to eat.
On the first dive, Reggie, my guide from Amuni Ini Divers, was excited because he found me one. Reggie pointed to a leaf with a green blob. I thought to myself, “Is that it? That can’t be it?” But it was!
After several shots, I finally saw the creature when I zoomed in on the viewfinder. It was tiny, green, and cute. I kept taking photos, but it was time to move on. A few seahorses, pygmy squid, and nudibranchs were nearby; if I have to give one piece of advice, it is to have patience and more patience! You must stop and take a decent photo of a sheep.
Upon finding Shaun, I spent 30 minutes on one leaf on my second dive! Kim, my lovely dive buddy and wife, was gone when I looked up. She finally decided to join another group, leaving me with Dave, my excellent Amun ini guide. Finally, Dave wrote on his slate, “Have you had enough of Shaun the Sheep?” Onto the seahorses we went. In the end, I ended up with some excellent photos. Nothing like Alex’s masterpiece. But it’s a work in progress.
I look forward to our next trip to Lembeh in January with Margo and Tom, with Family Dive Adventures and Murex Divers. Just call me the Sheep Herder of Indonesia.
By Marcio Curvello
I have been to the Philippines many times. It is my favorite place in the world to dive for many reasons. One is that I have the world’s best dive buddy who can spot almost any alien! Tom has become a treasure hunter, and at the end of most trips, everyone is following him. The Philippines is the #1 spot for finding Aliens. Another reason is that my sister, Biggsy, lives there, and she introduced me to my first muck dive and showed me my first sheep. Lastly, in all my 35 years of diving and traveling the world, it’s the only place I have fallen asleep and dreamt about. Now I fall asleep counting sheep.
Last summer, we arrived at Amunini, and Marcio was chatting about this funny little sheep named Shaun. After the first day, Kewin also seemed to be all over that topic. “Sheep,” I said. “What are sheep?” Tom’s ears perked up, too. Biggsy and I buddied up on my first sheep dive, and she quickly waved me over. She pointed out a green leaf the size of a rose petal. Was that the sheep? She pointed to the leaf. I could see nothing with my naked eye. It looked like sand stuck to the leaf. I peered through my 60mm Macro lens and saw it. Shaun the Sheep. It was so tiny that it was gone if you did not remain perfectly still, and you had to reset again.
A single grain of rice was adult-sized. What’s so special about that? A flea is the same size, but this little guy was adorable. It had rosy cheeks, funny, wobbly ears, and it was green or white with pink. Kewin found one that was yellow and blue. This was incredible! We were all counting and herding sheep. I did find the same leaf in Roatan in August, and I found the cousin. (See the Gallery)
I am looking forward to my panda finding me some sheep.
Margo Peyton
For most of my 30-year career, I had been frustrated over having to plead my case to the resort owners for better safety provisions for diving with kids. Kids’ diving safety should be common sense, but it was not. Much has changed, and many dive operators and resorts have upgraded their safety standards. I want families to understand how to choose the right resort. How to keep their families safe when booking dive trips. What is important to consider when parents want to go diving with their kids or take their kids on a dive vacation is asking the right questions. Why choose Kids Sea Camp?
I’m talking to the average family out there that goes on adventure vacations and wants to make scuba diving a part of their lifestyle with their kids or grandkids. Many recreational divers have skipped a few years of diving. They should absolutely take a refresher or complete the e-learning for the PADI Scuba Tune-up course. If you do not know the new signals or skills, and you are going to be diving with newly certified kids or grandkids, make sure you get up to date on your training beforehand. Many adult divers feel comfortable being responsible for themselves but not for another adult, especially a child. Thinking about taking a child diver underwater with no verbal communication is very intimidating to many parents or grandparents. So let’s get you ready to feel confident and have some fun with your kids, creating memories that last a lifetime.
At Kids Sea Camp and with Family Divers, we always have a PADI Pro in the water when teaching and training with kids. Kids’ diving safety is our primary focus. Kids are not allowed to dive with other kids, and parents are reassured by a PADI pro in the water during our Kids Sea Camp event and scheduled family dives. When families contact us to book a family dive vacation and want to get their kids or other family members certified to dive, we arrange the course, e-learning links, rental gear, and rental dive gear for students who register with Kids Sea Camp. We consider the destination, the conditions, and the student’s experience level, and we do our best to match the dive operator to their needs.
We choose kid-friendly resorts and dive operators because we know the dive staff have experience diving and teaching kids. The dive operators we choose have smaller dive gear and tanks for kids. There are many good diver resorts around the world now that I consider family-friendly, and asking the right questions is the most important thing a parent can do when researching on their own.
There should be reasonable rates for the dive instructor who is teaching your course at a vacation resort to continue to dive with the kids for the rest of their stay on the additional dives purchased after certification. Look for another operator if they do not offer a private guide.
Many dive resorts are making improvements. They understand that by creating diverse safety standards and applying common-sense principles, they have repeat clients. These clients will grow to trust them and remain loyal. They see that contributing to growing our dive industry by making better choices for families is the wise decision for the future.
Our family company specializes in kids’ diving safety, with over 8,100 youth certs and no accidents, and I have a growing, successful business that prioritizes safety. With a 75% repeat client base and 3 generations of travelers on any given trip. Kids Sea Camp caters to more grandparents sharing amazing adventures with their grandkids because I make it safe, easy, and fun for all family members to enjoy the ocean together. Diving creates memories to last a lifetime.
Think of this average scenario, NOT at Kids Sea Camp, but with any dive operations around the globe, you may choose: You’re a certified parent. You are on a family vacation and have signed your spouse and two children up for an open-water diver course. One instructor will teach all three of your loved ones to dive over the 3 days of your family vacation. Then, at the end of those 3 days, after 5 confined pool dives and 4 open water dives, they are certified. An open-water-certified parent is now on their own, responsible for themselves and their family in the water.
The dive shop instructor has completed his job and moved on to another class. Dad and his family are loaded onto a boat with his wife and your 2 kids. They have had no open-water dive experience outside of the class they just completed. Your spouse is nervous about the kids. You’re going to be put on a boat with a bunch of other divers and an instructor who is in charge of everyone and will mainly point out stuff. You will need to find your own way back to the boat and manage your family’s depth and time, as well as any issues that come up. That is the norm. This is not, in my opinion, acceptable, and it is not what I suggest or provide for my clients; it’s not how I teach and work with kids.
Kids Sea Camp has no dive accidents. We have made changes to the operators we work with or have approved as family-friendly worldwide. The resort you choose to dive with, when teaching your children and family how to dive, needs to meet the highest standards available. When someone is purchasing a week’s stay with you, meals with you, diving with you, and a certification course. It should be good standard practice that the family, the child, should have their instructor with them, accompanying them on all dives, and the remainder of the dives they have booked on their vacation after getting certified.
My analogy for you is this: your child goes to driving school and completes the course on those two Saturdays. Would you be willing to hand them the keys to your car and let them go drive on I-95? It’s the same. Kids’ diving safety is training a new driver.
So, with Family Dive Adventures and Kids Sea Camp, whenever we book a certification course, it is expected and mandatory for our dive pro to accompany them for the remainder of the dive days.
This is not only common sense but also common practice. Those new divers have no boat experience. They have had no experience of diving on their own. There is so much to remember for them, and they need those few days to get it. You need experience practicing. They need to remember safety stops. What to do in case of an emergency, and navigation. Oversight is a key practice that they just learned safely, so they can become more confident and better divers.
I do understand how expensive it is to assign a dive staff member. But when kids are involved, you should demand an additional dive pro in the water with them or any new divers. The best family-friendly operators have made changes to accommodate this. Meet our family-friendly KSC dive staff.
A dive resort you choose for your family dive vacation should offer special-needs guide pricing. If you want to add a dive pro for added safety, because kids are personal, not business. Most family-run dive operator managers and owners make sure their own kids have a private dive instructor. Kids Sea Camp treats every child like one of our own!
I thank all the great family-friendly operators I work with around the world who get this! In the Caribbean, we work with Buddy Dive Bonaire, Clearly Cayman Dive Resorts, Divetec, Blackbird Caye Resort, and Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia. In the Indo-Pacific we love, Sea Explorers Philippines, Lembeh, Manado, Bangka, with Murex divers in Indonesia. The Arenui is a wonderful liveaboard making a difference every day. The change will come if you demand it.
By Margo Peyton, PADI MSDT Instructor
By Carolyn Pascal
Margo’s journey began with a simple seed planted by her father. She grew up exploring the waters off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. From her father’s fishing boat, she learned how to swim and befriend marine life much larger than herself, nurturing her love for the ocean. Margo’s passion for travel flourished, leading her to live in Grand Cayman for several years.
As a single mom working in the travel industry, she was determined not to leave her kids behind while continuing to explore the world above and below water. “There must be other dive travelers who feel the same way,” she thought. With PADI’s SASY, Seal Team, and Junior Open Water certifications gaining momentum, Margo embraced the idea of kids learning at their own level. These engaging programs offered parents the opportunity to return to diving and make new friends.
Margo Peyton sought out PADI 5-Star Dive Resorts willing to create a new type of experience—a week where kids could learn to breathe underwater in a safe, fun environment while enjoying the island’s unique features. “Starting with just six families in Curacao in 2000, I began to envision how we could create one-of-a-kind adventures for families worldwide. We added more weeks with carefully planned itineraries every year, allowing six-year-olds and their 60-year-old grandparents to share unforgettable experiences.”
The dive industry initially responded with skepticism regarding children diving and families participating in a traditionally male-dominated sport. However, with supportive industry partners, SCUBAPRO manufactured children’s equipment and wetsuits, and SeaLife made underwater cameras accessible. Dive magazines introduced the concept in print and encouraged families to join in. Divers who had set aside their carefree dive travels after marrying and raising families suddenly had new opportunities to consider. As interest from divers grew, Margo expanded her PADI 5-Star resorts and liveaboards network, prioritizing safety at every turn. She committed to comprehensive PADI training and became a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and accomplished photographer.
“I wanted to ensure that, in addition to dive training, all our families would take away valuable lessons about the reefs and marine life and how to protect them for future generations.” By incorporating PADI Aware learning materials, scheduling beach clean-ups, and hosting evening talks on topics ranging from lionfish hunting to shark protection, both young and old minds opened up to new perspectives on responsible diving.
We also established the Ocean Wishes Foundation, dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving our underwater world for future generations. The foundation sponsors training grants for kids, supports marine life protection efforts, and facilitates reef restoration activities worldwide. Protecting our children’s future — and that of their children’s children—is essential to us.
Additionally, our Kids Sea Camp weeks and Family Dive Adventures have evolved. Our original Kids Sea Campers are over 30 years old, many have kids of their own, and their parents—now empty nesters—may not want to give up the joy and community of traveling this way. Thus, we now offer a variety of “Empty Nester” adventures for adults, while engaging extended family members, including active grandparents, has also become an increasing trend. Alongside our long-time resort partners in the Caribbean, we now provide exotic luxury liveaboards and access to more remote destinations.
“I’ve always focused on making each day, week, and year the best possible. I haven’t taken much time to reflect on what these early experiences have meant for these children over time. Occasionally, however, a seed of an idea, an activity, or a piece of equipment I shared with a young child many years ago manifests in the most remarkable ways.
While in Grand Cayman with family and friends for my induction into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, I felt nostalgic about all the years we ran Kids Sea Camp weeks at Cobalt Coast Resort and Dive Tech. I was compelled to visit and reminisce. While the resort was closed, the dive shop was open, and a young man named Kameron greeted me with a smile. I explained how I spent many years bringing families to that location. He listened politely and then mentioned that he, too, had spent time on the same dock with friends as a young boy. He recalled the groups of kids arriving every summer, although he and his friends often got shooed away when guests were around. I assured him that I would never have sent them away and that I usually brought extra masks, fins, and snorkels to local kids on the dock for them to keep.
Kameron continued to smile, and our conversation carried on from there. “I took in this moment, knowing that what I set out to do 25 years ago has had far-reaching effects beyond what I could have imagined. And, as it usually only happens in movies, Kameron was on the stage with me, as MC and Local Emerging Honoree, when I was inducted the very next night!” WOW!
With over 8,200 youth certifications during hundreds of Kids Sea Camp weeks over the years, there is no stopping Margo. Margo is an active member of the Women Divers’ Hall of Fame. She has received the PADI Lifetime Achievement Award and the DEMA Reaching Out Award, among others. What she values most is seeing those simple acts of kindness, smiling right back at her. One child at a time.
Liveaboard travel is an excellent way for any diver to see the best dive sites a destination has to offer. It allows divers easy access to long-range dive sites and more secluded or remote areas that cannot be reached by a day boat. Some might say Liveaboards are for the dive-hards in our industry, those with the “eat/sleep/dive” mentality. For avid adult divers, it’s undoubtedly been the way to go. I myself have enjoyed those five-dive-a-day, dive-hard experiences on liveaboards around the world for 36 years. There have been rough crossings, big currents, stormy days, and plenty of advanced open-water dives with big animals.
1. Safety first: check the credentials of the fleet and boat you’re booking with. Check to confirm they are up to date with all safety requirements and mandates. Ask whether they allow kids and what their experience level with kids is. Make sure your kids will have their own DM and get acquainted with the layout and safety equipment aboard. Ask for an emergency contingency plan. Kids need attentive guides who turn around often and stay no more than a breath away.
2. Book your liveaboard trip into a family week where other kids and recreational diving families with similar profiles are on board. Ensure the entire liveaboard itinerary is geared toward a safer, more conservative profile and dive site choices. Less current, better viz, calmer dive sites can be chosen. Insist on your itinerary being dedicated to ease of diving for all levels.
3. Charter the full yacht. There are then no dive hard guests to cater to who prefer not to have kids on their trip. No worries about noise, menu items, or issues with dive site choices. It’s all about kids and you. I book full-boat charters for KSC, and I book them for 3 or 4 families who love to travel together. I don’t recommend more than 20 divers on a liveaboard yacht and prefer 100 ft or more with 8-10 cabins and private bathrooms.
The key to taking my kids on liveaboards happily is having other kids on board. They bond, they laugh, they have sleepovers in each other’s rooms, and they camp out on the top deck in the hammocks and chairs under the stars. They enjoy sharing photos and making slide shows, and depending on the captain and location, they like helping cook and jumping off the sides of the boat when anchored.
Choosing which liveaboard vessel for a trip with our kids is very important. Start easy with a Caribbean liveaboard in a calm, clear destination. My favorites are with the Explorer Venture Fleet. I also feel the Cayman Islands is another easy learning spot. They make great testing grounds because they are close to land, easy to access with daily flights, and have a variety of pins set up at the better dive sites around those islands. I have also taken younger divers with a bit more land experience to both the Sea of Cortez and Socorro aboard the Rocio Del Mar. Both are very family-friendly operators.
The Galapagos is known for its advanced diving. And most liveaboards won’t take kids on regular trips. They have other advanced adult guests to cater to, and kids won’t fit into that equation. So, a full-boat charter is the answer here. I add up to 2 experienced guides in the water on each panga, and I confirm that kids have a minimum of 10 dives and are Jr., Advanced Open Water-rated, or higher. It’s important that they are excited and want to go on the liveaboard.
If your child has good buoyancy and follows directions well, then, as long as a liveaboard is something they want to do, it can be a great experience for the entire family. With a Kids Sea Camp family liveaboard trip, parents can go and do some more advanced diving while kids are looked after by trained kid-friendly PADI dive pros who will dive with them, age-appropriately, at shallower depths. I also provide strict ratios for kids in the water with instructors. 1:4 with kids 14 or under and 1:5 with age 15+. If there are special conditions or requests, then I will provide a 1:1 when needed.
If you are considering an individual trip, your kids should be age 12+ and Jr. Advanced certified. With that PADI rating, the max depth is 70ft. Again, I always say be more conservative and only dive to your comfort and experience level within your recommended profile. Never allow kids to dive with other kids, and always request a dive pro to dive with you and your kids if you are not one yourself.
Comfortable, stress-free diving on liveaboards: I turn 54 this year. I have over 6,000 dives, and like many parents and even grandparents my age, I like luxury diving. I want a big soft bed and great food, and I don’t want to worry about changing tanks or lugging gear. So I am predisposed to take families who travel with me on luxury liveaboards because I find them more relaxed. Valet diving: gear rinsed, dried, and bagged for you. I don’t see my luggage from the moment I get off the plane until it arrives in my cabin.
The Pelagian with Wakatobi and the Arenui, to name a few of my favorites, will do just that. Some liveaboards I work with include Citizen Science programs on board for the kids, including plankton collection, shark tagging, plastic studies, and documenting whales. I can organize this type of trip with any of my group trips and on individual trips with Rocio Del Mar
By Margo Peyton, See full version in Diver Magazine
From the shores of Provincetown, where the salty air mingled with dreams of far-off oceans, a young Margo Peyton grew, her heart tethered to the sea. Raised by a fisherman father and surrounded by the wonders of whales, dolphins, turtles, and sharks, she knew her path was destined to explore the watery realms that connected the world.
College led to travel and tourism, a scuba certification (a gift from her diving father), and a life-changing stint as a travel agent in the Cayman Islands. But it was motherhood that sparked a new vision. When her children, Jen and Robbie, asked to join her underwater adventures, Margo discovered a void: family-friendly dive resorts were scarce. A seed of an idea began to sprout. Didn’t the dive industry need to nurture the next generation of ocean lovers?
A chance encounter with Carolyn Pascal, then publisher of Skin Diver Magazine, ignited the spark. Sharing their frustration about leaving their children behind on dive trips, they hatched a plan. Carolyn became Kids Sea Camp’s first champion, writing about Margo’s vision to unite families through diving.
The journey began with Sandy and Hans Ullrich of Ocean Encounters in Curaçao, who shared Margo’s passion for connecting children with the ocean. Together, they created the very first Kids Sea Camp. Then Hans passed the torch to Nolo Ambrosi. Nolo and Monica embraced the vision, ensuring the annual event continued.
At a DEMA trade show, Margo met Nancy Easterbrook, a scuba-diving mom with two children. Nancy’s desire to be part of Kids Sea Camp resonated deeply with Margo, especially as it meant bringing the program to Grand Cayman, the birthplace of her son Robbie. With continued family ties 25 years later, Jason and Sue Belport opened their hearts and doors of the Cayman Islands with family weeks at Little Cayman Beach Resort and Cayman Brac Beach Resort. Football, basketball, volleyball, and diving are family affairs and a permanent home.
Neal Watson, “The Dive God,” became a mentor, guiding Margo through the world of dive travel and introducing her to key players at trade shows like ScubaEx, Our World Underwater, Beneath the Sea, DEMA, Scuba Show, and his own Lauderdale by the Sea event. Neal championed Margo’s cause, urging the industry to support her mission.
Werner Kurn of SCUBAPRO recognized the need for growth in the diving industry and championed Margo with kid-sized dive gear by SCUBAPRO, who began producing smaller BCDs, tanks, mouthpieces, and wetsuits, equipping Kids Sea Campers for underwater exploration. Bjorn and Sven Harms of SeaLife provided Margo with cameras to capture the magic of these family adventures. Fraser Purdon became integral to product growth, working with Margo to partner with SCUBAPRO and Sealife, driven by his own motivation. Wife Tracy and daughter Sophie became beautiful parts of the process.
After Ron Kip’s birthday celebration (owner of Bob-Sotos Diving) in the Cayman Islands, Werner and Neal introduced Margo to John Cronin. Cronin’s words of encouragement that her vision was ahead of its time became a guiding light.
After John’s passing, Drew Richardson and the team at PADI—Theresa Kaplan, Kristin Valette, Nick Jenny, and Bob Coleman—became pillars of support, helping Margo expand the Kids Sea Camp brand with PADI 5-star resorts around the globe. Margo became a PADI instructor, and partnerships with families like Martine and Ingrid Van der Valk and their children, Michelle, Barb, and Steffie, broadened the Kids Sea Camp family in Bonaire, with Buddy Dive, The Galapagos, and Dominica. Sam from Sam’s Tours in Palau, and Dermot helped Margo bring Kids Sea Camp across the Pacific and created Palau Kids Sea Camp, a 15-year legacy.
Then came Tom Peyton, who won Margo’s heart and embraced her children. Tom brought music, sports, and boundless love to Kids Sea Camp. Together, they explored new horizons as a family. They added destinations like the Galapagos, Utila, Costa Rica, Yap, Wakatobi, St. Vincent, the Bahamas, and Belize. Tom connected with Luigi from Italy at a Canadian adventure show. This meeting led to an extraordinary brotherhood, friendship, and partnership. Luigi, Mei, and The Arenui, a ship straight out of a dream. Biggs Eggert joined the family, bringing the magic and heart of the Philippines. Karolin Troubetzkoy, recognizing the value of family experiences as a mother and grandmother. She welcomed Margo to bring Kids Sea Camp to the luxurious Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia.
As Margo and Tom’s children grew, so did Kids Sea Camp. Tom left his 25-year career as a newspaper editor to join Kids Sea Camp full-time. New adventures unfolded in Roatan and a lifetime in Fiji, starting with Tom and Margo’s honeymoon. We met, built strong bonds and relationships with Danny Charlton’s family, and with Murex Divers of Lembeh, Manado, and Bangka. Chris Heim with Pura Vida and Sea Explorers of the Philippines.
Kids Sea Camp became more than a business; it’s a family tribe. Clients became friends, and some became like family. Children who attended camp years ago are now adults, some even grandparents. Kids Sea Camp life’s circle comes full circle, even 25 years later.
There are many to thank and be thankful for, countless individuals. It’s a story of passion, perseverance, and the unifying power of the ocean. It’s a story of gratitude for the incredible people who have made this 25-year journey possible. Oceans connect us all; the Kids Sea Camp family is a testament to that beautiful truth. We continue on this 25th year. We are full of gratitude for all those who have been a part of the journey. Such as Lucy Dunbar, Kiley, Sven, Peter, Tabitha, Nadene, LindaSue, David Benz, Tarkan, Holly, Conrad, Annie, Rogest, Steven Frink, and William Clien.
25 years of partnerships have blossomed with leaders of the past embracing the excitement and youth needed in the present. Peter Hughes, Troy Bodden, Bonnie Toth, Maria Hult, Joanne and Zig, Rick Stratton, Brad Nolan, Brett Gilliam, Michele Westmorland, and Tanya Burnett all lent their voices. Cristina Zenato, Woody Tinsley, and Brad Holland became a part of our fabric. 25 years of created memories they will remember for a lifetime.
Airports can be a hassle these days, but a little planning and preparation can make a big difference. Try these Kids Sea Camp travel tips to help you breeze right through.
Itinerary
Any item you will need
Traveling internationally can be tricky. Each country has its own restrictions and mandates, so it’s essential to check the immigration website of the country you are traveling to. Your airline or the tourism board is also a great source of proper information. Check where you go this year at an International Kids Sea Camp event.
Adults traveling outside the U.S. with children age 18 or under other than their own must have a notarized “Consent to Travel” Letter from both of the minor’s parents or guardians in order to leave and return to the U.S.
A child departing the United States and traveling with only one parent, a guardian, grandparents, or other adults must have a written and notarized Permission to Travel Letter from both birth parents or legal guardians to enter many countries, even on a cruise ship’s shore excursions.
The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade reminds visitors, “Foreign officials and transportation companies are vigilant concerning documentation for children crossing international borders. Make sure you carry the proper identification for yourself and any children traveling with you, including any documents required by the authorities of the country you intend to visit and by U.S. and Canadian authorities on your return to the U.S. or Canada with the child.”
This requirement for an affidavit for children traveling outside their home country stems from the heightened awareness of children’s rights raised by the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. As of July 2011, this treaty, created to deter international child abductions, is in force between the United States and 82 other countries and territories, including Canada and Mexico.
Nevertheless, international child abduction stories are in the news all the time. To stop these tragic crimes and prevent the transport of runaways or children involved in child custody disputes, American carriers have been told to require unique documents, such as Permission to Travel Letters from adults departing the U.S. with minors.
Additionally, rising healthcare costs and legal issues have forced many medical providers to deny medical care to minors without proper Medical Authorization forms. Increasingly, written permission or affidavits from guardians who carry the minor’s insurance coverage, as well as proof of that medical insurance coverage, are required at emergency care facilities.
The same regulations apply to minors under 18 leaving the United States with school groups, teen tours, or just friends on a vacation. Sports teams and academic study programs require a similar Minor Consent to Travel form.
Read on for tips on making this paperwork less of a burden, or scroll to the bottom of this story to obtain sample forms.
To enforce the Hague Convention provisions, the U.S. Department of State requires that every citizen, no matter the age, traveling internationally by air carry their passport and appear in person to apply for one. These very strictly enforced guidelines for obtaining a passport for a minor require the presence of both parents, with photo ID and proof of parentage, or one parent’s appearance accompanied by a notarized statement of consent from the second parent or legal guardian.
Exceptions are made if there’s documented evidence that a minor has only one guardian; for example, divorce papers, death certificates, adoption papers, or a lawyer’s letter would indicate that the presence of one legal guardian is sufficient. This complex issue is explained in more detail in the U.S. Passport Office.
If child custody issues are a concern for you, the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program notifies parents of passport applications made on behalf of minor children and denies passport issuance if appropriate court orders are on file with the CPIAP. The Office of Children’s Issues will provide more information.
Citizens of other countries must check with their own country’s embassy, as passport issuance laws have become stricter worldwide. Michelle Higgins’s story in the New York Times Practical Traveler column should provide more information on this topic and tips for parents with children of dual nationality or different citizenships. If you’re planning your foreign vacation, start this process early. United States security and border regulations change frequently, and the increased number of passport applications means a backlog at the National Passport Center. Visas & Travel Documents for Minors
In an era of heightened global security, many foreign countries are revising their visa procedures as well. Contact the embassy of your destination country or study the Consular Information Sheets provided at http://travel.state.gov to find out what that country’s requirements will be in terms of documentation in order to bring a child into the country.”
US airlines have on most websites information that confirms that they enforce this during the check-in process with the posted rule: “If adult passengers do not have the proper documents, as defined by the U.S. Department of State guidelines, boarding is denied in order to comply with international regulations and the foreign immigration process.”
Some countries require a notarized original copy of the Permission to Travel Letter before even accepting a visa application for minors. Many countries also require that the authorization notes be in the country’s national language and notarized and authenticated by the country’s embassy or consulate. For information on the requirements for travel to a specific country by an American citizen, visit the US Department of State and navigate to the International Travel Information page. When in doubt about the information, it’s best to call the Visa Section of the embassy or consulate of your intended destination.
A consular officer at the U.S. Office of Children’s Issues (888/407-4747) verified that many countries require a Permission to Travel letter with parents’ notarized signatures, plus identification for the child (certified birth certificate or passport), and that both are essential.
Consular Information Sheets issued by the U. S. Department of State (which does not make these regulations) often carry this warning: “In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of the relationship and permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.”
U.S. Customs & Border Protection recommends that all travelers read the helpful booklet “Know Before You Go.” Although minors under 16 may enter Canada from the U.S. by land or sea with only a photocopy of their U.S. birth certificate, the CBP notes that children under age 18 must carry notarized travel permission letters if they are traveling without their parents.
Children’s Travel Permission Letters Required for Cruises, Too
Such concerns apply not only to air and land travel but also to liveaboard cruise travel.
We recommend that you download FTF’s sample “Permission To Travel” letter from the next page. Print it. Complete it. Have it notarized, and carry it with you on all future international travel. Is notarizing the document necessary, especially for Canadian families, who pay much higher notary fees than those in the U.S. “It is strongly recommended that children traveling alone or with one parent carry a consent letter for every trip abroad. It is advisable to have the consent letter certified, stamped, or sealed by an official with the authority to administer an oath or solemn declaration so that the validity of the letter will not be questioned.” From the Canadian Consular Affairs Office.
Tip: Notarize several copies of the Permission to Travel Letter simultaneously if you are applying for foreign visas. Carry two copies with you on your vacation in case a border official.
When you cross a border by land, sea, or air, you will need proper identification documents for each traveler in addition to the above letters. Please see the Department of Homeland Security Website if you are unsure which ID documents you and your family need.
For more information, contact your attorney or a professional travel agent. On vacation, travel prepared. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Get Blank Permission to Travel, Minors & Medical Authorization Forms
Dear Scuba Moms and Dads,
Imagine sharing the magic of the underwater world with your children, exploring vibrant coral reefs, encountering fascinating marine life, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Scuba diving can be an incredible family activity, fostering a love for the ocean and building bonds through shared experiences. For 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of diving with families around the globe, issuing hundreds of youth certifications each year. My passion is ensuring that these adventures are fun, safe, and enriching. I’ve compiled this list of helpful tips for diving with kids to help parents navigate family scuba diving and make informed decisions that prioritize your children’s well-being. Please reach out with any questions or to share your own experiences.
One of the most common concerns I hear from parents is the feeling of vulnerability when booking independent dive trips with kids. Stories of close calls and stressful dives are, unfortunately, too frequent. To help you avoid such situations better. Choosing the right dive operator is paramount. Look for operators with a proven track record of prioritizing safety, especially when working with children.
Familiarize yourself with the specific depth and supervision requirements for your child’s age and certification level. This information is readily available on their certification card and through reputable dive organizations like PADI. Don’t hesitate to ask your dive instructor or local dive shop for clarification. Key tips on diving with kids:
Your role as a parent diver is crucial.
Scuba diving with your family can be an enriching experience. By prioritizing safety, choosing reputable operators, and staying informed, you can create unforgettable adventures that deepen your family bonds and foster a lifelong appreciation for the underwater world. These tips on diving with kids should help make your next KSC adventure more rewarding.
Kids Sea Camp founder, Margo Peyton