Tom Peyton

Diving and traveling with your kids

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Seal training, kids and diving, kids sea camp, St. Lucia, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving, Kids Sea Camp, Kids and scuba

The advice you should know when diving and traveling with kids 

I have spent the last 3 decades of my life diving and traveling with families worldwide. I created a company called Kids Sea Camp that takes families with kids aged 4-18 on mainly off-the-beaten-path vacations to experience and learn more about the underwater world. My business is personal, and I pride myself and my team on the level of friendliness, safety, and service we provide to each family. As I’ve been diving, traveling, and teaching kids and adults, I have picked up some good advice and tips along the way. I strive with each family to create memories that will last a lifetime, and that is my tagline because that’s what I’m told Kids Sea Camp does well.  

There is never a day when I don’t learn from the moms and dads who dive or learn to dive with Kids Sea Camp. I have enriched my knowledge and life from the children I meet. On each trip, I challenge myself and the fantastic dive pros I have the privilege of working with worldwide. I’m a humble person by nature, and I’m honored to be given the incredible faith and trust that parents and grandparents place in Kids Sea Camp.  I take tremendous pride in ensuring a fun-filled, safe day of learning in the ocean with their kids.

My greatest moments are turning frightened and anxious mothers’ faces into calm, confident smiles and seeing three generations of divers enjoying diving together as a family. Taking special needs kids out of the only world they have ever known and showing them the magical zero-gravity world of water for the first time. I take very seriously the lives I am entrusted with for the week and for the knowledge, skills, and education they take away with them to become the next generation of global thinkers and doers.  Each year, families ask me great questions, so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share some of my wisdom about vacation planning.

What is your top destination choice for SASY and Seal Team kids?

I created Kids Sea Camp in the Cayman Islands because my son Robbie was born there. It’s a place I love, hold close to my heart, and know well because I lived there for many years. The calm seas, clear water, and climate are perfect for the little ones. I have been taking Kids Sae Camp to The Cayman’s 15 years this year. The islands have stunning white-sand beaches; there are multiple flights daily from the US. It’s not expensive to get too. The islands offer biking, snorkeling, skateboarding, fishing, hiking, windsurfing, museums, art galleries, and a plethora of food and spirits to enjoy.

I chose the Cayman Islands for their ease of diving and abundant marine life. SASY and Seal Team kids can dive into the ocean and enjoy learning about marine life in a confined space. Cayman Brac Reef Beach Resort has a 140,000-gallon pool sitting right on the ocean for the little ones to do their aqua missions. The hotel rooms are all one-bedroom, so I feel the double rooms are perfect for a family with one child. The resort also has four rooms that can connect to house larger families.

I would have to say Buddy Dive in Bonaire is the best for SASY and Seal Team. They do these programs every week of the year, and their team is well-trained. They have the best jump-off-the-dock marine life for the kids, and I would say they have hands-down the best dive team for the little ones. (See our KSC Calendar)

What is your favorite destination for large families?

Buddy Dive, Bonaire, offers 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas and is an excellent value for large families. The air is the most considerable expense; you can get a good deal if you book earlier. Bonaire is easy diving and caters to divers of all levels. If you’re willing to travel, my second choice would be the Philippines. Pura Vida Homes Resort in Dauin, Dumaguete, is spectacular! They also have one, two, and three-bedroom villas. And for your diving dollar, they offer the best, easiest, and most reasonably priced diving in the world.

What destination do you feel is best for families with older kids?

Galapagos would be my first thought. I’ve been taking kids to the Galapagos for nearly 14 years. Kids Sea Camp is the only company to do so because I charter the dive yachts with an additional crew to make it perfect for families. We dive from pangas so the kids and adults roll off the side, but it’s a big animal interaction, big turtles, wild dolphins, giant mantas, marine iguanas, and tons of sea lions.

We always travel in June or July, peak Whale Shark season. Honestly, this region is one of the last diving frontiers, and I feel like it’s a trip of a lifetime every time I go. If you want to share the rare and off-the-beaten-path with your children, take them to the Galapagos.

What is your top choice for families with non-divers 

St. Lucia at Anse Chastanet is my number one! We offer spa treatments, jungle biking, volcano hiking, paddle boarding, sailing, snorkeling, chocolate culinary classes, cupcake making, shopping, and local sugar plantation walks, as well as a jazzy sunset cruise. We spend lots of time together as a family and have many fun activities for non-divers to meet and become friends.  

Second would be Palau. Palau offers kayaking among the Rock Islands, World War I and II history tours, museums, shopping, a spa, and beautiful beaches. 

Is Kids Sea Camp accessible to people with special needs?

For the past six years, we have successfully taken special needs adults and kids diving around the world, meeting or exceeding their expectations. I have a team of dive instructors who are experienced in areas such as high-functioning Autism, deafness, handicap, ADD, ADHD, and even elderly divers who need a little more hand-holding and some Valet Diving Service to make everyday diving details easier and less stressful.  

Kids Sea Camp can provide private one-on-one instructors or dive masters for people who need more. We meet those needs for the most part, with partner tanks and BC’s for smaller adults and kids. Our destinations can accommodate dive platforms and wheelchairs. We can and do help people get in and out of the water. If families give me enough notice and tell me exactly what we need to have in place, we meet those needs for the most part. If I can’t, then I will say so and recommend another destination.

The most crucial factor is that the doctor treating the special needs participant has authorized that person to participate in scuba diving activities. I am not a doctor and cannot say if someone can or cannot dive. But, will go above and beyond to put in place what someone who can dive needs to do. I require at least 6 months’ notice and a few good in-depth conversations about the needs.

What is the most critical advice you give parents and grandparents of new divers?

Know your kids’ depth limits and profile restrictions. If you are not a PADI pro or another dive pro, and you are not an avid, up-to-date diver, make sure to always request a dive master or instructor when you dive with your kids. Many parents have enough on their plates taking care of themselves in the water, and when you add kids to that, it can become very stressful. Kids move around faster, and you can’t just talk or yell at them underwater.

So parents and Grandparents should make sure they have had a refresher course and know their signals and skills well so that they can assist young divers when needed. I also want to remind parents that your kids watch you and learn from you when you dive with them. So lead by example. Ensure your gear is streamlined, check your gauges early and often, and ascend and descend slowly.

Plan your dive with your kids, and dive your plan with them.

Always let someone else know you are going diving, and make sure you have a slate to write on. Things happen, currents come up, and you need to be able to communicate with each other. It’s fun for families to develop their own signs and signals. Kids should not assume that parents know the same signs or signals. Go over those before your dive. Make sure you do a weight check before diving and know the type of dive you’ll be doing. Make sure you are not forcing your child to dive. If he or she is scared or does not want to go, discuss what’s going on and make it ok not to dive. The worst thing you can do is force a child or adult to dive when they do not feel safe or well.  

Be a good dive buddy

Don’t try to impress your child or show off, I promise they will try to do what you do. Enjoy your time in the water and the zero-gravity as kids do. Remember, diving should not be like the military; you kids want to have fun! They enjoy playing with zero gravity, doing somersaults, and being upside down. Make some of that, okay, and teach them when it’s okay to have fun and when it’s not.  

I say this in capitals because if I had a dollar every time a child told me their parent loaded them with an antihistamine before a dive, I could go to a nice restaurant for dinner. That can be very dangerous to do. It can cause reverse blocks and also cause panic and anxiety, depending on what you gave them. The most common is dehydration. Diving is very dehydrating, so adding a decongestant before a dive can make it 10 times worse.

By Margo Peyton, PADI MSDT Instructor & owner of Kids Sea Camp

Kids Sea Camp is one giant family reunion

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Dive training, Philippines Kids Sea Camp, family vacations, kids and diving

Kids Sea Camp is a family

After a few trips, our family made friends from all over the world. Now, it’s like attending a big family reunion with people I feel like I’ve always known. The resorts and dive staff make you feel special and offer jaw-dropping experiences. 

Without the experience of traveling around the Kids Sea Camp (KSC) world over the last 5 years, I simply would not be the same person. Seeing the world through diving has taken me far beyond what I would learn in my own school or community. It has given me more life skills, introduced me to new places and different cultures, and allowed me to learn about the world above and below 1st hand. (The online catalog)

Our first few trips

My first trips were to Bonaire, Roatan, and Utila. They were a blur of blow-karting, zip-lining, zombies, and wild dolphins. Even though I was young then, I participated in so many amazing activities and made friends I still dive with today, like Kai Hunsicker and Max Lavinsky. (Our calendar of events)

Kids Sea Camp, Kids and diving

When I was 9, my mom signed me up for the KSC PADI Seal Team program. She was worried the dive gear wouldn’t fit me because I was so little. KSC owner Margo Peyton told Mom she had plenty of small tanks and BCs available for all kids my size. I loved every minute underwater, experiencing zero gravity. I liked listening to the sounds of fish munching on the reef. The training course is on every KSC trip, so I can become a better diver. As of today, I have completed my PADI JOW and AOW courses and became a PADI Jr. Rescue Diver at Buddy Dive in Bonaire. I completed my Master Diver Certification in the Philippines with Sea Explorers last summer. Next year I turn 15, and I’m excited about taking my PADI Jr. Dive Master course in Dominica.  

I am grateful for my Kids Sea Camp family

I have to say, I am very grateful that my parents, who are long-time scuba divers, wanted to keep diving and include me. We make KSC our annual family vacation. KSC is definitely not just for kids! 

Sometimes, I think my parents (Beth and John Burkhard) have more fun than anyone. Margo and Tom Peyton (my aunt and uncle in this giant family) strive to make each vacation personal and focus on family fun for everyone. They even gave my parents and Kai’s parents some extra privacy on our trip to the Philippines, which meant Kai and I got our own room. It was awesome!  

Tom usually sets up all the sporting activities on trips, like volleyball, soccer, and football, and he gets everyone going with basketball, too. He and Woody like to host Karaoke or ocean trivia after dinner.

Chasing critters with Tom

Nemo, Clownfish, Kids and diving, Kids Sea Camp

Tom is one of the best underwater guides ever. You will always see crazy little critters while following him around the reef. The big stuff, I’m better at finding, like the Giant Manta I spotted in Dauin and then in Oslob, I did a giant stride off the front of the Banka boat and landed right in front of 2 big whale sharks. Seeing whale sharks that close was a jaw-dropping experience! In case you can’t tell, the Philippines trip was my favorite KSC trip.

Some of the really important things I have learned include equalizing my ears. Margo took the time to show me multiple ways to do that. She taught me to slow down, descend, and dive at my own pace. Tom says, “When you dive slowly as he does, you will see so many more critters.” 

Becoming a rescue diver

In my rescue course, I learned the importance of dive planning and being a prepared, observant diver. I have learned how to avoid and solve potential problems. The KSC instructors make learning fun by applying the theory to everyday scenarios. There is always a speaker or a presentation during our trip. My favorite talk was about ocean trash because I learned the impact of plastic and pollution and how bad it really is. Woody had us all do a beach cleanup for plastic as part of the Zombie Apocalypse diver program. 

The trips also include local cultural activities, such as cooking, dancing, or visits to a village or school. We bring sneakers and school supplies for the local kids. That was one of the highlights for me because I got to help other kids and learn how kids in other countries live. We learn about their history, culture, and language, and that really inspires me. 

Humbling experience in the Philippines

At the Mountain School in the Philippines, their dances told us a story of their life. The respect they have for their elders and the pride shown in their family and schools made me appreciate all the more what my school and family provide for me. I have met so many foreign people who are so humble and grateful to meet me. They are all so happy, despite having so little compared to what I have in the US. I don’t look at my life the same since I started traveling around the world with my family.

A new chapter in our lives as parents. Morgan is now 19, and we are off to the Galapagos in 2025 without him joining us this time. His diving career has taken a right turn to a driving career!

Who is Morgan Burkhard?

  • Indianapolis, IN (December 14, 2024) 
  • Morgan Burkhard, one of motorsport’s brightest emerging talents, has officially signed a three-year contract with Czabok-Simpson Motorsport (CSM) to drive the Porsche Cayman Clubsport GT4 RS in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. 
  • The 19-year-old driver has already made a name for himself with an impressive rookie campaign in the TCR class, piloting the Hyundai Elantra N for VGRT in 2024. CSM is committing to both developing and showcasing Burkhard’s immense potential on one of motorsport’s most competitive stages. CSM Co-Owner Stephen Simpson expressed his enthusiasm for the addition of Burkhard to their team:

“Morgan embodies the qualities we value most in a driver—raw talent, unrelenting drive, and a level of maturity that exceeds his years. He’s already proven himself capable of competing with the best, and we believe this is just the beginning of what he can achieve. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the CSM family and look forward to building something special together.”

He remains grounded and deeply appreciative. “To have this opportunity at 19 years old, and so early in my career, is truly a dream come true,” said Burkhard. “Driving a Porsche in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is something I’ve dreamed of since I first watched the 24 Hours of Daytona as a kid. Now, being part of a program with Czabok-Simpson Motorsport—a team that shares my passion for excellence and competition—feels surreal. 

My KSC giant family holds a very special place in my heart. They have supported me, taught me so much, and given me the world to love. 

Morgan Burkhard and Beth Burkhard

The world’s First-Ever Jr. Dive Master did it with Kids Sea Camp

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Jr. Dive Master, Kids Sea Camp, Kids and scuba

Training with Kids Sea Camp was the only choice

Becoming the world’s first-ever Jr. Dive Master has been on my radar for a few years, but then COVID hit. And if there’s one thing everyone can agree on, 2020 has been a different year.

Had I been writing this story one year ago, it would not be a shock to most that I am sitting on an airplane, with my in-flight snacks and a drink, typing away on my laptop about my dive vacation in St. Lucia. Yet this year, most people will glare at me with shock in their eyes,s stating the same thing. I took a risk this summer, wandering from my Bermuda home to St Lucia to join yet another Kids Sea Camp (KSC) dive vacation at Anse Chastanet. I was eager to become the world’s first-ever Jr. Dive Master.

It all started in Curacao

Philippines Kids Sea Camp, family vacations, kids and diving
Holly Wakely, age 4, in Curacao at
her very first Kids Sea Camp.

My KSC journey started with Curacao in 2006, at just 4 years old. From then on, I spent each year gallivanting with my diving family around the world and exploring the ocean; I had no grasp then of what I wanted to do when I grew up. As in 2010, my family and I followed KSC around most of the Caribbean, fueling my parents’ love for scuba diving and keeping my brother and me curious about different destinations and cultures. At this point, I was certain I wanted to be a dentist, doctor, or veterinarian; I had very little interest in scuba diving as a career. Dominica, Cayman Islands, Roatan, Bonaire, St. Vincent, back again to Palau, it was in meeting so many inspiring dive professionals that my mindset began to change. I now had an idea of what I wanted to do when I grew up.

2017 was the year I developed a stronger bond with my KSC family, Margo and Tom Peyton (owners of KSC). I was a 15-year-old, Master Scuba diver with 300+ dives. My family had our yearly KSC trip planned to the Galápagos, where we dove on a liveaboard with some of the world’s most amazing creatures. One night at dinner, my parents asked me if I was interested in any other KSC trips that year, and I responded as any kid would: yes, I would love to! At the time, I hadn’t gathered that they meant I would be going by myself. As a shy kid, sheltered by my extroverted brother, the idea of traveling without my family felt like a total reach. I’m glad I took that opportunity for what I thought would be a lonely KSC week.

Margo Peyton has a calming voice

Arriving in St. Lucia in 2018, I was full of fear, worst-case scenarios going through my head, but only when I saw Margo did this feeling subside. She told me that night I would be part of the team and helping out as a training student for Max Lavinsky and Jacob Schafer, who were completing their PADI Dive Master certifications that week. Though I was just a diving student, I was fortunate to experience the Dive Master program at such a young age, gaining a grasp of the concepts and training. I realized how much I truly loved scuba diving; my parents weren’t there, so I knew it wasn’t their passion; it came from within. I had taken a risk and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Kids Sea Camp, Kids and diving

Fast forward 3 years to 2020, I have traveled all over the world with Margo, Tom, and my KSC family, seeing whale sharks in the Philippines, sunken wrecks in Palau, and gained valuable lessons in all aspects of travel and life. Margo invited me to attend a few dive shows, where I spoke with people from different sectors of the Scuba industry. This was where I heard about the creation of the PADI Jr. Dive Master program, which would allow divers aged 15 to pre-train for the professional side of scuba diving and be able to assist dive professionals. This program launched in 2020, and I was the very first pilot student for PADI. Margo took me back to where it all started for me, St Lucia.

Trusitng Kids Sea Camp

I am now on my way home, certified by Margo Peyton, my KSC mom, as PADI’s first-ever Jr. Dive Master, and I couldn’t be more grateful. KSC taught me to look at my life from a different perspective and to follow my heart. I’m taking a gap year to focus on my scuba-diving career. By the time you are reading this, I will be back in St. Lucia for KSC Thanksgiving, will be 18 years old, and a PADI Dive Master, working toward becoming a PADI instructor. So you see, traveling during a worldwide pandemic was a risk I was willing to take. I trust my KSC family to keep me safe, and we wear our masks! St. Lucia will always hold a fond place in my heart, it’s where I found my passion and career path.

Story by Holly Wakely, the first-ever Junior Dive Master at Kids Sea Camp

How to become a Dive Master on a KSC week

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Dive training, kids and diving, Kids Sea Camp, training

Kids Sea Camp Dive Master courses and non-paid Internships.

Yes, Kids Sea Camp offers divemaster and non-paying internships at our Kid Sea Camp trips. The DM course is one of the most comprehensive in the dive industry. Because at Kids Sea Camp, we have SASY, SEAL, DSDs, Open Water, AOW, and Rescue courses running simultaneously during our weeks. Unlike most dive shops, whose DM programs are 3 to 6 months, ours can be done in 14 days. For example, young adults ages 18+ with a min of 40 dives at the start of the course and a minimum of 60 logged dives by the end of the course are required to enroll and complete this program. We offer these divemaster program courses in Bonaire, St. Lucia, Dominica, Roatan, the Philippines, and Cayman Brac. Those are the destinations where we can spend two weeks together and run the full DM course. (See our KSC Calendar)

Become a Divemaster with us

If you are interested in the Divemaster courses, you would be rooming with other students in that program in either double or triple accommodations. You can request a single as well; that is an option, however, single supplements from the resort or room will apply. During those two weeks, you would be participating in and completing the PADI Dive Master program. You would also be gaining as much experience as possible in the water with certified divers. Once you have completed your Dive Master course and are registered and insured as a PADI DM, we then provide opportunities for new Dive Masters to pair with a KSC dive team instructor to shadow, learn, and gain real-world experience.

Kids Sea Camp requires a DM to pay for their trip since during that trip they will be under the direct supervision of a PADI Instructor or experienced divemaster, learning to work with special needs, assisting instructors with other students, being trained to navigate and lead in a variety of conditions, from open ocean boat dives, shore dives, and con-ed dives. We train our divemasters in both travel guide and divemaster roles, since they will also be learning how to provide and host top-side and in-water activities.

Once a PADI DM has completed 3 weeks of KSC internship with me, I will open the opportunity to join a Kids Sea Camp trip, with all travel expenses paid by the company, if all qualifications have been met. Once the candidate becomes an instructor, we then pay expenses for travel, diving, and meals. And we pay the instructor $500 per week to be a part of our exclusive Kids Sea Camp dive team.

Our Divemasters

There are a few Divemasters we currently work with, such as Max Lavinsky, Jacob Shaffer, Kylie Carrington, Kendal Williams, and Holly Wakely, who are working toward their PADI instructor certifications with us. Our dive team members are treated like guests when they travel with us, as they are staying in guest accommodations and enjoying all aspects of the KSC package, including excursions, meals, etc.

We have high expectations for professionalism and leadership skills. These skills must be demonstrated to meet the requirements for becoming a KSC dive team member. Once an instructor has been with us for a few years and is comfortable and well-trained, we will offer them the opportunity to run a trip on their own. At that point, you become a part of the lead team, like Woody Tinsley, Fraser Purdon, Olivia Rapisand, Josh Comay, Conrad Rucker, and Sven Blanc. And you are paid each week, and all expenses are covered. When available, we can offer discounts or comps to family members.

Professionalism is a constant training in our program. Our dive team is traveling with guests 24-7, so drinking, drugs, inappropriate behavior, inappropriate dress, flirting, and using non-kid-friendly language are not allowed. Kids Sea Camp dive masters refrain from discussing faith, politics, or sexual content. We constantly train our team on customer service scenarios and on water safety as a dive team. Remember, at Kids Sea Camp, we depend on each other, and building trust and friendship is the key.

What the PADI Pro training and internships can offer

  • Divemaster training and certification: Two weeks course is $700+ trip cost
  • Certified divemaster 3-week internship, including dive and adventure travel guide training (discounted trip costs – dbl or triple share room)
  • Instructor development course: Becoming a PADI instructor course, training, and materials from $1900+ trip costs.
  • KSC Instructor volunteer travel guide training and internship (no cost, instructor expenses paid by KSC)

Kind Regards, Margo and the KSC dive team

Oh, the places we will go. . . diving. . . with Kids Sea Camp.

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St. lucia, Family vacations, diving, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving

By David Head

Big diving news from our household. Jake gained his Junior Open Water Certification two weekends ago. We knew Jake had an amazing time at Kids Sea Camp in St Lucia with Callistus Jackson and Keither Prospere, participating instructors for Kids Sea Camp PADI Seal Team, but when birthday gifts were on the line, would he choose certification training or the latest video game?

Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo PeytonEven in the unpredictable times we are living through, he chose, thanks to Kids Sea Camp, to pursue a PADI diving certification. Birthday gifts in the form of gift cards to our local dive shop, Undersea Divers in Danvers, MA, came in from friends and family. Being in early May, we were unsure when the shop could offer certification classes again, but we had hope. Come July, classes started back up, and Jake signed up for mid-August pool and ocean dives. The week before the pool sessions, Jake tackled the PADI e-learning head-on, most of it refreshed from his Seal Teamwork the prior year.

Wonderful Dive Training

Ke’s dive instructor from Undersea Divers was Larry Bettencourt, who was also my pool instructor the year before (I was also fortunate enough to do my ocean checkout dives with Kids Sea Camp in St. Lucia, with Errol Lebrun), so I knew I was in capable hands. Every time Jake suited up, there was a certain glow, and he seemed to wear a perpetual smile. I’m shocked his jaw didn’t hurt afterward. Then again, I don’t blame him for me being poolside thinking, “It’s only the pool… but I’d love to suit up too.”

After the successful pool dives, the ocean dives were the following weekend. Even with a 5:30 A.M. wake-up, Jake’s smile would not waver. The dives took place at Back Beach in Rockport, MA, in low tide, calm seas, and “warm” water (warmth is relative in New England). All participants completed their dives, with many proud parents in attendance (five participants were no older than their mid-teens). As Jake exited the water, beaming with pride as a newly certified Junior Open Water Diver, I placed a towel on his shoulders and gave him a huge hug. All I could think was that age-old Dr. Seuss classic, “Oh the Places You’ll Go. . . Diving”.

Please feel free to share with the crew at Scuba St. Lucia (I assume you have personal work email addresses for some of them). We hope they and everyone in the Kids Sea Camp family are doing well. We shall meet underwater soon enough.

Also, Liam is preparing to take his diving certification in two years. Thank you for the Kids Sea Camp birthday postcard; it made him smile. I look forward to diving with you in the future.

Kids Sea Camp is a healing family experience

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Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton, Family scuba diving

“Diving healed my family, and it happened at Kids Sea Camp,” Lilly Blakey

Lilly Blakey was only 8 when she attended her first Kids Sea Camp in Roatan in 2006. Her parents, Rob and Susan Blakey, loved diving and wanted to share that joy and love of the ocean with their three kids. Since Lilly, age 8, and her younger brother Stuart, age 5, were too young to become certified divers, their mom found the perfect family scuba vacation for them. She read about Kids Sea Camp in a dive magazine and learned that kids aged 5 to 7 could enroll in the PADI SASY program, while kids aged 8 and 9 could participate in the PADI Seal Team program. Meanwhile, their older brother, Trey, was able to get certified in the Jr. Open Water program for kids aged 10-14, so there was something for every member of the family while their mom and dad enjoyed diving.

As a PADI Seal, Lilly remembers putting on her scuba gear for the first time with her Seal buddy. She recalls having so much fun performing buddy checks and experiencing the excitement of diving. She couldn’t wait to return to Kids Sea Camp to become a certified diver once she turned 10. Two years later, her family returned for another family dive trip with Kids Sea Camp, and Lilly became a PADI Jr. Open Water diver. They also promised Stuart the same opportunity when he turned 10. Lilly recalls, “It was so cool to swim with fish and experience zero gravity for the first time. I love diving and learning about the ocean.”

Over 20 KSC trips

Lilly has participated in over 20 Kids Sea Camp family dive vacations, making repeat visits to Utila, Roatan, St. Lucia, Bonaire, and the Cayman Islands. After several trips with her family, she attended without them at age 15. (See all the places you can go.)

“My mom had so much respect and trust in Margo Peyton and the program she created that she asked Margo if it would be okay to send me along as part of the Peyton family,” she explains. “Margo’s reassuring presence helps even the timidest diver feel calm and safe underwater.”

Kids Sea Camp, Kids and diving

There was more to Lilly’s mom’s decision to send her alone than trust in Margo as an instructor. “My dad, Rob Blakey, who was the reason we all attended the first Kids Sea Camp, passed away a week after we returned home. Stuart was just 5, and I was only 10 years old, having just received my Jr. Open Water certification on that trip,” she said. “We didn’t go diving again for the next five years. My mom was devastated, but she eventually found the courage to start healing and reach out to Margo to tell her that she was ready to start diving again and promised to get Stuart certified when he turned 10.” Mrs. Blakey wanted him to have the same incredible experience as his older siblings.

The healing starts

“Margo made sure that my family went on a week that she would personally be there,” Lilly says. “While Trey and I enjoyed diving with the other certified kids, Stuart was working on his PADI Jr. Open Water certification, and Margo was helping my mom get back in the water again. My mom had only ever dove with my dad, so this was a difficult step for her. Margo held my mom’s hand and reassured her at every step. The healing had started. She dove with my mom daily until she could join us diving as a family. It meant the world to us to dive together again.” Lilly adds, “Having all of us diving together again, even without my dad, has been healing to our family.”

She earned her PADI Advanced Open Water certification during that trip, and Stuart did as well. Lilly told her mom she wanted to improve as a diver and keep diving. For the next few years, Lilly’s mom sent her on trips with Margo Peyton, along with Robbie and Jennifer Peyton, who would also attend. “I would stay for two or three weeks at a time, sharing a room with Jen,” Lilly shared. “I achieved something I wanted: to become a PADI Open Water Instructor with Jen and Zoe. We took our Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Buddy Dive Kids Sea Camp in 2017 and made it happen.”

Now, at age 27, Lilly has graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in management information systems. She has worked with Kids Sea Camp for many summers, teaching the next generation of divers.

A Safe Haven

Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton“Margo created a safe haven for kids to learn how to dive while on a family vacation. Her dream and her company have literally changed my life, and I know it’s had the same impact on so many others, including Robbie, Jen, and Zoe.” Lilly said in 2023.

Lilly respects and admires Margo Peyton because she understands how challenging it is to be a single mom and run a woman-owned business. Lilly’s family continues to dive with Kids Sea Camp; her youngest brother, Stuart, also became a PADI instructor a few summers ago in Bonaire.

This year, Lilly is getting married and looks forward to starting her own family. She is excited to get her future husband certified to dive and continue the family tradition of bringing her future kids to Kids Sea Camp, where they will enjoy the magical summer vacations she once experienced.

“Kids Sea Camp is not just for kids; it offers so much to every family member, regardless of age.” Lilly Blakely

Family diving in the Philippines; Malapascua, Cabilao & Dauin

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Thresher sharks, Philippines, kids and scuba scuba diving children, family dive vacations, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving

The owner’s favorite destination to dive

The Philippines is hands down my favorite place for diving over the past 30 years. I personally feel it’s perfect for kids of all ages. We work only with Sea Explorers, as I feel they are the only kid-friendly, safest operator for kids in the Philippines. Most of their Philippines staff are parents, and they just really get the concepts of Kids Sea Camp. 

Malapascua is Thresher’s heaven

This destination is an add-on pre-trip to our Kids Sea Camp main week. We are here specifically to dive with the Thresher sharks that come up from the deep each morning to a cleaning station at 70ft. It’s one of the most humbling and majestic dives I have ever done. Watching these beautiful sharks with tails as long as their bodies, shimmer through the water as they pass overhead. This dive is a WOW for anyone who loves sharks. 

Diving in Malapascua is not for little kids to dive. Having said that, we can and do arrange for younger kids to be watched while parents are diving. We offer Malapascua for 3 nights, with a 2-day add-on. The resorts are located in a beautiful village on an amazing white-sand beach. Pura Vida Resort and Buena Vida Resort are the two resorts we use. Buena Vida Resort is a luxury Spa and offers vegan and Paleo foods, yoga, etc. and is located in the Village and a 3 min walk to the beach. Ocean Vida Malapascua Resort in the Philippines is oceanfront and features the Sea Explorers dive show on-site, with 1 restaurant. 

Kids can be accommodated with child care at either resort while parents are diving. Diving here starts at 5 AM in the morning. We put Malapascua first because jet lag is a bonus here, as most people are waking up around 4 am.  So, diving for kids age 12+ and adults starts at 5 A.M., out to Monad Shoal for 2 dives, and back by 9 A.M. for breakfast. The rest of the day is spent enjoying the beach and village, etc. There is no pool at this resort.

Amun ini is in Ando on the island of Bohol 

This is a beautiful boutique resort with a large beach and an infinity pool. It is a 5-star resort about 2 hours from Cabilao, and TAG is the airport to fly into for both this property and Cabilao.  Amun ini mostly features macro diving. The rarest of nudibranchs, octopus, and pygmy seahorses are the norm to see on dives.

Dauin Pura Vida Homes and Pura Vida Resort with Sea Explorers

We will include a trip to Oslob to snorkel and dive with whale sharks. Little kids will be supervised and allowed to come and snorkel. We also have a dive excursion to Apo Island and a tour to the Mountain Village School. Dauin is our main Kids Sea Camp event, and we have a lot going on there from SASY to Seal Team (in the ocean), Jr. Open Water courses, specialty courses, Whale Shark Aware, and even a Dive Master program. Families from all around the world attend, bringing kids ages 5 to 18. The younger kids’ programs here are heavily supervised with 1 instructor to every 2 kids in the water. The rooms offered are 1,2- or 3-bedroom villas with ocean and garden views at Pura Vida Homes. These are the luxury rooms in a private area we have chartered, featuring private pools, a swim-up bar, and beach access. 

Some guests can also choose to stay at the sister property just next door, attached to Pura Vida Homes, called Pura Vida Resort. This resort offers lower-priced hotel rooms. Guests can stay longer, arrive earlier, or even visit Dauin Kids Sea Camp. There are lots of options. We can also arrange individual trips outside our Kids Sea Camp events year-round and create a custom family trip for you on other dates that better fit your schedule.

I hope this information helps you decide whether to travel with us to the Philippines this year.
Margo Peyton

Top tips for travel safety and being ready for emergencies.

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Solitude, Palau, Kids and scuba diving, Family Diving vacations, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving, Kids Sea Camp, Kids and scuba

Top 10 safety tips when booking a liveaboard dive trip.

Ask the tough questions when searching for your next liveaboard trip. Make sure you are qualified for the type of diving you plan to do. You should be fit and mentally prepared for liveaboard diving. Do not assume there is a single world book of mandates and laws. It is your responsibility to be a competent diver, so here are the safety tips when taking a dive trip. Why choose Kids Sea Camp?

Ask about dive gear needs, weights, types of boats, conditions, etc. Ask if the time of year you want to go is best for that destination. Make sure you are comfortable with the number of guests on board compared to the staff. I personally do not dive on liveaboards with more than 16 passengers; I do not prefer shared bathrooms; and I do not ever go on boats that don’t offer professional, active, rescue-trained, and up-to-date divemasters or instructors in the water with divers. 

I am very strict on my ratios when it comes to family and kids; my minimum is 1 DM to 5 certified divers in the water. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the conditions the liveaboard will be diving in, and that you know what they are or can be. Request a fire drill, make sure systems and alarms are working. 

Request and demand to see both sides of the emergency exits

Have the staff show you how they open by demonstrating, so you can make sure it’s not blocked or painted shut, and that it opens easily and works properly. Know where the life jackets are and know where the exits to your cabins are. Do your research on the operator you are considering to determine its reputation. Scuba board, Under Current, DAN, and Under Current are just a few good resources to look up.  Make sure you book with an experienced, trustworthy agent. I am available to my clients 24/7.  My cell is on my card, and believe it or not, I have made myself available to clients in trouble on trips that have not even been booked through me. 

Woody Tinsley: When you’re on a liveaboard, I joined a group a few years ago and got the Nautilis lifeline, and it’s on me with every boat dive, and I keep it clipped to my safety sausage, which, if I had time to grab an emergency, would be one of the only things I grab. But the lifeline broadcasts your GPS location internationally on an emergency frequency to every boat. Anyway, NOAA put it on, and it was really eye-opening. Boat drills consistently do abandon ship drills, but nobody ever talks about what you should do in the water afterward. https://shop-nautiluslifeline-com.3dcartstores.com/

Safety tips to help you be ready to travel.

  1. How many passengers and cabins are accommodated on your boats?
  2. How many crew are on the boat, and are they all rescue-trained and trained in fire drills?
  3. Do you have an emergency contingency plan in place, and may I have a copy?
  4. Are your boats inspected and up to date with all required licenses and inspections?
  5. Do you have a sprinkler system and a fire detection system on this boat?
  6. Do you allow charging devices in individual cabins?
  7. Do you have fire extinguishers and alarms in all cabins and rooms?
  8. Do you have a mandatory security night watch aboard your boats?
  9. Also, where is the emergency contact list for guests?
  10. What are your ratios of divers in the water to staff, and are the dive staff professional-certified, dive masters & instructors?

10 safety tips for an emergency when traveling

  1. Remove any second-tier verification codes from your email account.
  2. Create your own safety deposit box or emergency folder in the cloud. Put copies of your passports, dive cards, DAN insurance, or other documents, a copy of your airline itinerary, and the emergency contacts for you personally, as well as for the airline, and the liveaboard, resort, or agent you are working with.  We all live in a push-button world, and with smartphones, remembering the numbers of our family and business is a thing of the past. If you lose your phone and computer, you lose it all.
  3. Keep a small emergency dry bag with you at all times. Keep it on your nightstand at night and keep it in your dry bag on your dive boat. Keep it with you at all times. Inside.
  4. Your cell phone, your passport or copy of your passport, a copy of your airline ticket, a note with your most important numbers, a small amount of money, and 1 credit card.
  5. At night, make sure to have in your dry grab bag 1 pair of underwear, a shirt, shorts, and life-saving meds you can’t go without. This should not be large. You do not know the conditions you may be in. 5. Send a link to your emergency folder to your emergency contact at home, not traveling with you.
  6. Ensure your dive gear and camera equipment.
  7. Make sure you have DAN Dive insurance or USI (CFAR insurance). Rescue flights and chamber rides can cost tens to hundreds of thousands in a remote location to air vac you out.
  8. Make sure that the people you are traveling with have access to your emergency information.
  9. Make sure the organization you are traveling with has strong online reviews, and take the time to read them.
  10. Pay it forward. Share it with others and post on Scuba Board, The Dive Magazine websites, and your multimedia. Let other divers learn from your experience

Let’s make diving safer for divers by making more informed and educated divers

  • Check what travel insurance you have and what you need.
  • Have a list of items that you pack, even better, lay them out in the “Tetris Challenge” style. The email that picture to contact and yourself or save on the cloud.
  • Make copies of the paperwork and email them to a close friend and yourself, or store them in the cloud.
  • Have an “emergency contact form.”
  • Accordingly, know at least one phone number.

The Right Honourable Lord Woodrow F. Tinsley III D.o.D. HcLaird of Glencoe and LochaberCount of Hougun ManorBoston Sea RoversOwner of The Sharkiteuthis Diving Co., East Hartford Police #289

By Margo Peyton, Owner of Kids Sea Camp Inc., Family Dive Adventure,s PADI Instructor 57474

Take Time To Savor Life’s Treats

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Kids Sea Camp, Kids and diving, family diving vacations

I never thought a company like Kids Sea Camp could exist

Taking time to savor life’s treats is not something I did on a blazing summer day in Santa Monica, at a house party with a pool, and I was a thirteen-year-old boy who had assembled my own gear. That’s how I experienced my very first dive. As I was sitting at the bottom of a pool on a J-valve tank, with a twin-hose reg that I thought I had figured out poolside, adults started jumping into the water to ‘rescue’ me. This was not the way I had planned for my own kids to learn to dive, now more than forty years and 2000 dives later.

A lifetime of diving

(From left to right) Adam and Ellie Summers prepared for a night dive at Anse Chastanet Resort, St. Lucia.

Finding a very different kind of diving has revitalized my love of blowing bubbles: diving as a family with Kids Sea Camp. Officially, I learned to dive properly while an undergraduate and progressed through the ranks to PASI OWSI at the PADI College in Sydney, Australia. After working as an instructor in Australia for several years, I returned home to the USA to become a marine biologist. Along the way, there have been many memorable dives. But those dives pale in significance to the life changes I have experienced along the way. Sharalyn and I were married in Belize. We have two children, and we moved to a small island north of Seattle to a marine station. 

A little moment, a shared sense of wonder, and an instant rapport gave me an unusual opportunity to gain a completely new and transformative perspective on diving. With my good friend Dr. Bob Rubin, I voyaged on the Quino El Guardian (Booking the trip with Family Dive Adventures) to the manta ray soup of the Revillagigedo Islands. They dropped me, Tom Peyton, and 14 other dive fanatics into the water surrounding four little volcanic specks. Steep-sided, battered by the swell, with a constant current, this dive site was not for the faint of heart. But when we dropped over the side the first time, there was a whale shark, six giant ocean mantas, a pod of dolphins, and more than 40 silky sharks, well, you get the idea.

Meeting Tom Peyton

 It was a Scuba diving paradise. I loved it, and I was getting interesting data on the mantas’ wing movements. As I stripped out of my too-thin wetsuit, I realized the guy standing next to me had paused, a silly grin on his face, wetsuit around his ankles, and his heel straps between his toes, eyes twinkling. This bearded, blissed-out guy was just dumbstruck by that dive and was taking a few moments to let it sink in. I don’t meet many people who take time to savor life’s treats as much as I do, and I was immediately drawn to this awesome dive character.  Tom Peyton is the co-owner of Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures. We developed a friendship; these dives touched him as deeply as they touched me. We shared many awesome dives, like-minded concepts about life, and a few good stories. 

Tom and I were both missing our families and wished we could share those daily adventures with them. Tom’s wish was more realistic than mine. Since his wife, Margo, is a PADI instructor and mermaid in the Women Divers Hall of Fame, and both their kids, Rob and Jen Peyton, are PADI dive instructors. This was a very doable adventure for them. At that time, my kids were five and ten. My wife was a PADI Rescue diver with 150 dives, but none since our son was born. The logistics were too crazy to figure out, diving with tiny kids, or so I thought. That’s when Tom lit up with delight and schooled me on his wife’s brilliant idea, which turned into a family business.

It really is the only family diving camp

Kids Sea Camp Inc. is the only family camp I would consider sending my kids to. Kids Sea Camp is for families who love the ocean, travel, and scuba diving. I started a family late. And I have no desire to have them hare off to neat places without me. I want to join them while experiencing the things we love. Sharing new places with my kids in entirely different ways and providing them with a unique perspective on the world through their eyes. Kids Sea Camp is designed to allow just that.

Tom explained that the kids learn about the ocean and how to dive. The older ones (age 10+) get honest with PADI dive certifications. The younger ones, ages 5-9, gain experience through fun scuba games called Aqua Missions that introduce them to the basics of the sport. Age 5-7 follows a SASY program geared toward swimming and snorkeling. Then there is the PADI Seal Team curriculum, which sets them up for certification the moment they hit that magic decade mark. 

Thanksgiving and diving?

This sounded like a fabulous idea, and a set of fortuitous circumstances combined to open up our Thanksgiving holiday and leave us with close friends looking for an adventure. Margo and Tom said they would serve a traditional turkey dinner at Buddy Dive Bonaire and all the diving we could want. So, three adults, one of whom had never put her face into saltwater, and four kids (seven, eight, twelve, and twelve) took the plunge and headed to Kids Sea Camp Bonaire to dive. My son Abel was a SASY, and his friend Henry was a SEAL. Henry’s brother, Ollie, and my daughter, Ellie, were in the PADI Jr. Open Water course. Our friend Libby completed an open-water course, and Sharalyn and I just signed up to dive. Together. What a concept. 

Kids Sea Camp idea is revolutionizing

As it turned out, the Kids Sea Camp idea revolutionized our understanding of family dive vacations. The drill is simple; the diving kids meet their friends and instructors each morning after breakfast. The diving adults are free to head off to dive with the other adults. And dive at outstanding dive sites, with top-notch guides, lovely fellow divers, and a wonderfully competent and entertaining dive boat crew. When two tanks have been sucked as dry as PADI allows, we return to the resort to eat more good food than should be legal.

Our offspring are happy to learn and play in the ocean with their friends. We don’t see the younger set until mid-afternoon; a little scheduling magic with big implications for bonding with other adults, and allowing kids to own their newfound skills. Then, tired and victorious, we get our kids back, damp and bursting with tales, in time to rest up for a siege of the dinner buffet. After dinner, there are often some presentations – a couple of times, I talked about marine research, which is my day job. Then everyone passes out in preparation for doing it all again.

Buddies at Buddy Dive

It is difficult to overstate how pleasantly unusual this family dive vacation was relative to all my other vacations. The diving was fantastic. Buddy Dive in Bonaire was a joy, but the difference here was the structure and quality of the experience that I could share with my family. I watched my daughter conquer fear and physical difficulty to become a PADI-certified diver, just like her mother. Ellie glowed with triumph when she came up from her final certification dive. She did a complicated thing with minimal support from her hovering parents. That has proved to be an accomplishment that has significantly shaped the months that followed.

It was such a simple joy to have her find me a young spotted drum and share that giggle at its silly dorsal fin again. tube across the azure waters of the Caribbean, he embraced the experience as challenging as his little arms could squeeze. And Sharalyn and I could connect underwater in ways we hadn’t since before we had kids. It was such a simple joy to have her find me a young spotted drum and share again that giggle at its silly dorsal fin. It was a reaffirming delight to watch her strap on the gear. Check it, and look out for the other divers doing the same. 

My diving daughter

My daughter left Buddy Dive Bonaire with one dive short of double digits. She made it to 18 dives on another trip. They were so impressed with Ellie’s skill and her attention to safety. The Kids Sea Camp ethos of ‘safety over all things’ is deeply embedded in her. A second Kids Sea Camp family dive trip to Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia, fell into our lap. Ellie has nearly 30 dives, and Abel has a PADI SEAL with eight dives. My wife, Sharalyn, and I have hooked up all over again on a sport that has given me everything. I love seeing their expressions when discussing where we might all dive next as a family. Roatan? The Philippines? Fiji? Time will reveal everything, but I am sure more Kids Sea Camps will be in the future.

This is an article by Dr. Adam Summers. Dr. Summers is a professor at the University of Washington in Biology and the School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences. He has written more than 150 scientific papers and was the fish guy for Pixar’s Finding Nemo.

Read more about Dr. Adam Summers.

The search for the perfect dive vacation is over

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Kids Sea Camp, Amazing vacations, photograpers

“Honey, I think we found our family dive vacations!”

In the spring of 2010, I sat at my computer late one night, searching for a family dive vacation. Sam was 5, and we recently adopted our son, Hunter, also 5, from China. My husband, Andy, and I were avid divers. While Andy’s diving background was drysuit diving in the cold ocean off the coast of Scotland, I preferred warmer waters. As avid cave divers, we loved diving in the springs in Florida, and having kids meant that cave diving was in the past for us.

While we enjoyed the beach and boating, our passion has always been scuba diving, so we set out to find the perfect family vacation. Unfortunately, we thought, kids and scuba diving would not go together very well.

As I sat at my computer, hopeful, I entered various words into search engines: “family diving,” “kids scuba diving,” and “family vacations.” Kids Sea Camp popped right up, and I turned to my husband and said, “Honey, I think I found what we have been looking for!”

Margo Peyton

I read everything about Kids Sea Camp and its founder, Margo Peyton. If you Google either of those phrases, there are pages of great stories and information, and it’s all positive. I called the next day, and Margo answered. We spoke at length, as I had many concerns because Hunter couldn’t swim, and he couldn’t speak English, and Sam, who has ADHD, is not one to sit through a course. Maybe it was selfish of us, but I just knew we had to go.

Margo assured me it would all work out, and we booked our first of many trips to Buddy Dive in Bonaire for June 2010. At this point, Hunter was not too enamored with the ocean. His first water event occurred at home when he fell in the pool and sank to the bottom. This soon was remedied with swim lessons, and by spring, he had donned a wetsuit and was playing in the waves in St. Augustine, Florida.

We have never looked back

When we arrived at Buddy Dive, we were apprehensive. What was I thinking going off diving while my two 5-year-old kids were left with the Kids Sea Camp staff? My fears were allayed when I watched the kids feed beautiful parrotfish off the dock. They were laughing and having the time of their life. By the end of the week, these two 5-year-olds were making new friends, learning about fish, and even managing giant strides off the dock in SASY gear. They loved their instructors and learned how to set up and use their gear. We have never looked back. My search for the perfect dive vacation was found at Kids Sea Camp.

Over the past eight years, our family vacations have been with Kids Sea Camp. There were challenges along the way. The hardest part for Sam was completing the bookwork for his Jr. Open Water class. But you put Sam in a wetsuit and scuba gear, and the little diver in him takes right over. Sam and Hunter love zero gravity, and that little kid who once sank to the bottom of the pool is now a varsity swimmer and triathlete. They want to experience life to the fullest, and nothing holds them back.

KSC all around the world

We have taken them diving at Kids Sea Camps on Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Roatán, Utila, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and, coming up this month, Belize. Then our first liveaboard Family Dive Vacations in the Socorro Islands is planned for December 2018. Some of those KSC places have seen our faces more than once. Each time we go, we reconnect with families we have met and meet new ones. We have watched as our kids (and other families’ kids) have transitioned from SASY to Seals to JOW to AOW divers. We are all divers; watching our kids become divers is a bond we share. I am the lucky one. I have three men who share my passion for the sea.

Margo’s muster text

Not all places Margo researches for Kids Sea Camp pass her muster because it takes a special family-friendly place, a special family-friendly PADI dive instructor, and a unique local family-owned operation for her to feel safe entrusting “her kids” in the underwater world. Margo is a PADI instructor whose whole life is dedicated to keeping kids safe while teaching them about the ocean. All of the resorts are PADI five-star dive centers.

Then there are the included extras, like private boats, kids’ dive gear, private instructors, and even Margo and Tom. Other activities include zip-lining, chocolate tasting, spas, jungle biking, beach volleyball, fire dancers, sunset cruises, and cultural excursions.

The Poetry night is wonderful

Kids Sea Camp is more than just diving. Learning underwater sign language (yes, there is a useful course), learning to use Sealife cameras, learning about coral reef restoration, and understanding our impact and role as responsible divers. Then there is the tradition of family poetry writing. Inspired by the Sealife camera prizes, Andy writes about this magical journey at each destination, the highlights of the week, and the precious moments captured in the smiles on our sons’ faces each day.

These poems express overwhelming joy, as each trip creates lifelong memories for Kids Sea Camp families. When Andy reads his poems, he is always choking back emotion and tears, as is the entire group. You see, wreck diving off the coast of North Carolina brought us together 28 years ago, and Kids Sea Camp rekindles that with the perfect family dive vacation. My search for the perfect dive vacation is over with Family Dive Vacations.

By Patti Snyder