Tom Peyton, auteur op Family Dive Adventures

Our new KSC PADI Pros in 2019

4 June 202617 September 2019 by Tom Peyton

PADI Pro, dive master, kids and diving, kids sea camp

We at Kids Sea Camp headquarters are thrilled to give a big shout-out to our new PADI Dive Masters from our 2019 trips.

Holly Kyle, age 54, completed her PADI Dive Master course with us at Buddy Dive Bonaire. Holly started diving at age 46 and did not enjoy the ocean until she met Margo Peyton. Full of fear of drowning and deep water, Margo guided Holly through those fears and into a love of diving that quickly advanced her to rescue diver and, finally, Dive Master. Congratulations Holly!

Ellen Abad-Santos, age 18, became a PADI Dive Master during our 2-week trip in the Philippines with Sea Explorers. Ellen has been part of Kids Sea Camp since she was 4, beginning with our SASY program.

Andy Carrigan, age 54, became a PADI Dive Master in Grand Cayman over Spring Break, following in his children’s footsteps, who became PADI Pro Masters in St. Lucia in 2018. Congratulations, Andy, on this proud family moment!

Max Severo, who has traveled the world with us since he was age 6 and is now 19, became a Dive Master this summer in Bonaire. Congratulations, Max!

The Mermaid Squad: Sydney Williams, Holly Wakely, Audrey Sarin, Sophie Purdon, and Lauren Wittek all participated in the training, mentored younger kids, and began training for their 2020 Dive Master participation. Excited to have you all as our future PADI Pros.

For more information about our PADI Pro programs, call Margo or Kiley at 803-419-2556.

25 amazing years of Kids Sea Camp

13 May 20263 September 2019 by Tom Peyton

Margo Peyton, kids Sea camp, kids and diving, family scuba diving

A few moments ago

Twenty-five years of Kids Sea Camp seem like just a few moments ago. Robbie was only 6, and Jen was just 4. As a mother and businesswoman, I wanted so much to spend time with them and be with them daily. I wanted to watch them grow up before me and show them the world rather than have them read about it in a book.

A single mom with two kids

I was a single mother with two kids, working six days a week. In the summer, it was impossible to find camps that I felt were educational, safe, fun, and enriching my two children’s lives the way I wanted to be enriching my own life. Jennifer would get so upset when I had to go away. She wanted to know why she could not come. It was really a huge dilemma for me.

Carolyn Pascal, then the publisher of Skin Diver magazine, and I were sitting on a beach in the Bahamas during another work trip, and we were both missing our kids. I told her I honestly wished we could find a way to take our kids on dive trips. She agreed, and right then, we began creating a vision that would become Kids Sea Camp. Carolyn had the media, and I had the resort. Since 2000, divers of all ages have been exploring the underwater world with Kids Sea Camp. Every year, Kids Sea Camp brings families to the Philippines to dive into the endless “bucket list” of diving adventures in Dauin, Ando, Cabilao, Apo Island, and Oslob.

KSC started in Curacao

We pooled our resources, and the first Kids Sea Camp family dive-adventure week took place in Curaçao with Ocean Encounters and the Curaçao Sea Aquarium in 2000. I had just seven families on the first trip. Fast forward, Kids Sea Camp is entering its 25th year in 2025. My daughter Jen will be 29, and Rob will be 31. My kids are grown, Jens is married, and we have our first grandchild to enjoy and look forward to introducing to the underwater world someday. Because of Kids Sea Camp, there are more than 8,000 other kids who have become certified divers over the past 20 years of Kids Sea Camp. Kids Sea Camp has over 500 families who travel to 13+ countries, taking 25-29 trips each year.

I’m so very proud and grateful to my dive team and the diving industry. They have supported my vision and co-created Little Gear, kids’ dive courses, shared the stories, and listened to all those little voices.

PADI created courses for kids aged 4-18, and they have always supported me in organizing trade shows such as The Scuba Show, DEMA, Beneath The Sea, and others, connecting me with dive operators worldwide. Dive Media, DAN, Dive Training, Scuba Diver, Diver Magazine, Dive News Wire, Sport Diver, and many others ran the stories and shared the voices.

Partners matter

My partners have all helped me make diving safer for kids. SCUBAPRO was the first to create SASY gear, little tanks, fins, masks, and tiny wetsuits. The resorts and dive operators who have stood by me and celebrated our brand together believe that kids are the future. I have chosen resorts that I can trust to put family first and child safety above all.

I’m thankful to all the families for choosing Kids Sea Camp for their family dive vacation. Some of those kids, and even the instructors, now have their own families and keep coming. Many are now grandparents who are bringing their grandkids.

When I ask them why they chose Kids Sea Camp, they tell me, “Because time is the most important thing in life, Margo! Time with our kids and our grandkids is priceless.” They want to make memories that will last a lifetime. That’s our tagline, and we do just that! Our trips cater to the elderly, the young, experienced divers, and even non-divers. We are special needs-friendly and cater to all families. Kids Sea Camp is a safe, fun, educational, and authentic family vacation focused on the underwater world and each other. It’s a place where kids unplug from their virtual worlds and reconnect to each other and the outdoor world.

Tom joins the company

In 2006, my best friend Tom Peyton asked me to marry him, and Robbie, Jen, Tom, and I became a family. Tom left the news industry and joined the Kids Sea Camp in 2013.

Celebrating our 25 years

We are excited to celebrate 25 years of business this year with 25 Kids Sea Camp event weeks in 2025. I hope you will join us! In celebration of our 25 years, we have created “Empty Nester” dive trips for parents like me who have grown-up kids but still want to travel with someone they know and trust. We have new destinations and liveaboards as well as PADI Pro courses for all those kids turning 18 and older who want to become Dive Masters or even Dive instructors. We will be celebrating our 25th year of business at each incredible destination.

By Margo Peyton, President of Kids Sea Camp

I am thankful for the world’s best family adventure travel guides and a PADI dive team. Woody, Patrick, Jen, Rob, Lilly, Holly, Sven, Brad, Jesse, Sophie, Josh, Fraser, Conrad, Max, Carolyn, Ellen, Jacob, and Tom.

Lucky Lucky Lionfish

28 April 2019 by Tom Peyton

Lucky lucky lionfish
Come and swim with me

Lucky lucky lionfish
It was meant to be

Lucky lucky lionfish
Have no fear

Lucky lucky lionfish
Daddy is not here

Lucky lucky lionfish
You don’t see a spear

Lucky lucky lionfish
No one will come near

Lucky lucky lionfish
You are safe this year

Lucky lucky lionfish
Daddy is not here in Belize

By: Abby Zanelli

Lionfish, Belize, Tarpon Fly Fishing, Kids and Fishing, Bone fish, Permit, Kids Sea Camp — Belize i a wonderful place to hunt for Lionfish.

Older divers are still diving

4 June 202616 March 2019 by Tom Peyton

Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving, Kids Sea Camp, Kids and scuba, Ray Woolley

Ray Woolley was diving at age 95

Undercurrent recently wrote about the continuing diving career of 95-year-old Ray Woolley, a British-born resident of Cyprus, where he has plenty of opportunities to get into the water. But now his record as the world’s oldest diver is being challenged by 98-year-old Bill Lambert from Rockford, IL, who got his scuba certification last October. Lambert is waiting to see if the Guinness World Records will verify his claim.

I love Undercurrent and was thrilled to read this in their bulletin this month. We have many grandparents who travel and dive with Kids Sea Camp and Family Divers, and now our Empty Nester trips, well into their late 70s and 80s.

I want to be just like that someday, and maybe challenge this record too if my son Robbie Peyton and Jen Peyton are taking their mamma diving at 90. I always tell Tom Peyton that I didn’t want to live to be that old if I couldn’t dive. All the grandparents, many of whom travel with me each year, inspire me and others. The smiles on their grandchildren’s faces when they say, “I’m scuba diving with my grandma and grandpa.” They truly remember those memories for the rest of their lives.

Time becomes the most important thing in life as I age, not only my time, but the time spent with my own parents. I would have loved to take my mom or dad diving. So to all you grandparents out there diving. Keep it up. Zero gravity is good for the bones, and diving with your kids and grandkids is great for the heart! Divers keep getting older and better.

A sad update: Ray Woolley, age 99, has passed. (See link)

Top 5 best family dive adventures with younger divers ages 4-16

14 May 202615 March 2019 by Tom Peyton

Top 5 dives for family, The Philippines, kids Sea Camp, kids and diving

MARGO PEYTON’S: Top 5 best family dive adventures with young children, plus many more.

1. Bonaire: This island is at the top of my kid-friendly list because of many of the condo properties, such as Buddy Dive, Capt Don’s, and Bel Mar. They are perfect for larger families, offering 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas. Buddy Dive, in particular, offers the Buddy Dive Academy, with PADI programs such as SASY for kids age 5-7, PADI Seal Team for kids age 8 & 9, and Jr. Open Water, Jr. Advanced, and even Jr. Rescue.

Their staff is well-trained with oodles of experience with kids. Not to mention, Bonaire is one of the calmest, clearest, and easiest places to dive in the world. Parents and their certified youngsters can jump right off Buddy Dive’s dock and enjoy a nice, easy dive. Since kids aged 10 and 11 have a 40-foot max depth, it’s often hard to find places where the sandy bottom does all the work at 40 ft.

Here, parents can relax and enjoy their kids diving with tarpon, turtles, schools of colorful tropical fish, and, of course, the coral nursery trees. Bonaire also has lots to do topside for families, including one of my favorites, Blow Karting on the world’s largest salt track! Bonaire caters to every level of diver and is one of our more affordable programs.

2. St. Lucia: I just love bringing families to this island. It’s world-famous for honeymooners, but now that the honeymooners have children, they can return to celebrate with the whole family. Some of the best diving is below the famous Pitons, and there are some great wrecks for teen divers to explore. It’s crazy cool to dive some of those volcanic formations and pinnacles under the sea. Kids especially love Superman’s Flight, one of the best drift dives on the island. Anse Chastanet is perfect for both diving and non-diving families. They offer paddleboarding, kayaking, sunrise and sunset yoga, volcano hiking, jungle biking, and, of course, scuba diving.

Did I mention chocolate tasting and farm-to-table culinary classes with cupcake decorating? How about live music and jazzy sunset cruises? And if that’s not enough, every May and June, you may be lucky enough to catch the sea turtles nesting on the Anse Mamin Beach. I have also been fortunate to catch the sea turtles’ hatch in late July and August. We released 98 baby turtles 2 years ago, and it was amazing! During the Kids Sea Camp weeks at Anse Chastanet, kids can learn to dive, do SASY or Seal Team, and explore the protected marine sanctuary.

American, Delta, and United Airlines all offer daily nonstop flights from the US, making it one of the easiest places to reach. There are 1- and 2-bedroom Piton-view rooms, as well as beach-level rooms for families. Dive St. Lucia is very family-friendly. All dives are guided, and the ratio for kids is 1 instructor or Dive Master to every 2 kids. It does not get any safer than diving with Dive St. Lucia.

3. The Philippines is also high up on my list with Sea Explorers, and I would just tell you that taking kids to dive with Whale Sharks in Oslob, turtles at Apo Island, and to experience the largest to the smallest marine animals on one trip is truly life-changing. Pura Vida Homes is perfect for families. We sell out for Kids Sea Camp every year. Traveling in a private guided group is the way to go here, with an experienced dive team including Margo, Tom, and Bigs.

4. Palau: Yes, I know it seems a long way to go, but Palau is definitely a Wow! Kids love JellyFish Lake; it’s the only time they don’t have to be afraid because the jellyfish don’t sting. It’s a rare opportunity to see the 8th wonder of the world! Palau is also one of the few places in the world where kids can safely learn about and dive with sharks, manta rays, and other big marine life. Many of the dive sites are in shallow water, easy for all to enjoy.

5. Fiji: To me, Fiji is all about family. It is all about love and children, music and dance, food and friendship. It’s a place where culture becomes an integral part of the trip. Kids have so many opportunities to interact with the local villages and local children. It’s a very humbling experience and for sure an educational vacation. I believe there is one resort that stands out for its Luxury 5-star service and diving: Jean-Michel Cousteau’s resort. The name kinda says it all. 1- and 2-bedroom villas are perfect for families, with the Point Bure for families of 5. There is shore diving and spectacular reef and shark dives. JMC has a full-service, kid-friendly dive team. They can cater to any diet and are also special-needs-friendly. I have had great experiences at Castaway Island and Beqa Lagoon as well, but I would for sure say JMC is absolute perfection for kids.

With beautiful over-water cabanas and a private lagoon to snorkel or paddle board, it’s perfect for families that want peace & tranquility. Mayan Princess offers 1 and 2-bedroom oceanfront villas with full Kitchens. The dive sites are 5-10 minutes away, and the boats are large and spacious. Both locations offer excellent in-ocean training areas for Seal Team & SASY. All-inclusive resorts are an easy way to budget your trip and get the most for your money!

PLUS FIVE

I know you only asked for 5, but since kids and diving are my life, I’m going to give you a few bits more. For liveaboards and kids, you can’t beat the Rocio Del Mar Team in the Sea of Cortez and Socorro. They are like papas in the water with kids and families, and really have an outstanding safety record. We offer a full-boat charter, so it’s all about the kids. Dancing with sea lions and giant manta is an amazing liveaboard experience for kids and parents alike.

Roatan: The Bay Islands continue to be one of the dive world’s hidden treasures. The marine park has blossomed, and since its inception, there has been a huge comeback of turtles, large schools of fish, grouper, and lobster. There are so many shallow sites and beautiful beaches to explore. My two favorite properties for families are Turquoise Bay Beach Resort and Mayan Princess, both all-inclusive, owned and operated by local families. The staff is super kid-friendly at both resorts and dive operations, with Mayan Divers and Subway Divers offering lots of smaller tanks and kids’ gear. Turquoise Bay offers free horseback riding every day and has just completed a total resort renovation.

I did not talk about the beautiful Cayman Islands, where my own son was born and where my kids learned to dive, because everyone already knows how awesome they are. They’re easy to get to, lots to do, and a great choice for so many reasons.

All of the above are featured Kids Sea Camp destinations. That does not mean that’s all there is out there; it just means those are the ones I feel are best suited for our younger divers, SASY and Seals.

Taking your kids on dive adventures around the world is giving them a living classroom to learn in. It’s giving them a global view of the world and all its possibilities. It’s taking their dreams and making them a reality, a priceless family bonding adventure.

Kids Sea Camp has contributed to over 8,100 youth certifications and taken over 350 families a year diving. We have a perfect safety record, with zero accidents. Please join our Kids Sea Camp family at one of these locations this year. Cherish the opportunity to dive with your kids while they are still young. It’s one of the most beautiful, forever memories you can give them.

Margo Peyton, Owner, Kids Sea Camp & Family Dive Adventures

PADI Instructor 57474

Our first Liveaboard dive trip is with Kids Sea Camp

13 May 202631 January 2019 by Tom Peyton

Socorro is amazing for diving

The bottom line is that the Socorro trip on the Rocio Del Mar was amazing! We were a little apprehensive and nervous, as you can imagine, but as usual, the staff that Margo and Tom sent for the trip was top-notch.

Josh Comay (an Adventure travel guide and PADI Instructor with KSC) led this family dive vacation confidently and was extremely accommodating to all the families on the trip. He was fun not only for the adults but also for the kids, and he was very engaged with them, which was a pleasure to observe. Josh made Lucy (the youngest diver on the trip, age 12) feel included. He also made a big deal of the photos she took with the free cameras provided, which boosted her confidence as a young diver. It was all so much fun to watch.

Socorro trips impact

This trip had a great impact on Lucy, and Reagan and I loved sharing the experience with the kids. We are so very grateful to you, your staff, and the Kids Sea Camp family. Kylie and Keone (your PADI DM intern students) were also fantastic and engaged with the kids. This included being very attentive to all of the kids while diving and spending time with them before and after dives. They briefed and debriefed the dives, and simultaneously played cards and games and watched movies with them the whole trip. Lucy received so much personal attention from Kylie and felt an instant connection with her and her kindness. They were both fantastic, and I would recommend them to anyone who asks about them as part of your Kids Sea Camp Dive Team. Again, I cannot stress how wonderful they all were, and I hope to spend more time with them on future trips.

The diving was amazing. In fact, I really cannot put into words how much we enjoyed diving from a live-aboard, not only because of the location itself, but also because your staff, the boat’s crew, and the other families on the trip with us exceeded our expectations.

My 100th dive

I celebrated my 100th dive on this trip, and Kylie and Josh made a huge deal about it. They had the chef make me a special cake. What a wonderful way to celebrate (and really, most of those dives have been with you all and your trips. I am surely lucky my sister Reagan brings me with her and her family all around the world).

Reagan and I loved watching Lucy and Lauren mature into excellent divers on this trip. Lucy’s growth as a 12-year-old diver was so impressive, I cannot stress the impact that Edgar (from the dive team) and Kylie had on her…she fell in love with diving (she did every dive), wants to be a dive master, and found a new love for underwater photography. She made Reagan promise to bring her back to Socorro, and she’s already counting the days until our next trip. Kudos for helping bring this love to her life. (See our KSC gallery)

Lauren also grew tremendously on this trip. She and Hannah also did every dive, and it was so fun to listen to the two of them talk about what they saw and watch them after each dive—the excitement and experience were priceless and truly a memory for a lifetime. At one point, Lauren stopped bringing her camera so she could take in everything she was experiencing. We loved talking to her after each dive; her smile was priceless.

The bottom line is that our family had an amazing trip.

We loved every dive, loved your staff, and loved the boat staff. Saying thank you does not seem to be enough. So, thanks to both of you and special thanks to your kids’ sea camp staff, please pass this along.

By Jennifer Yee, 2019

Bonaire Thanksgiving 2018 Poetry

21 January 202625 November 2018 by Tom Peyton

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Screws & Hammers in the Galapagos

13 May 202617 October 2018 by Tom Peyton

Kids Scuba diving, Galapagos, Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton, Family Scuba Diving Vacations, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving, diving with seals

A few screws and a heap of hammers diving after spinal surgery in the Galapagos

During the summer of 2017, I noticed that my back was curving, and the curve worsened quickly—I started to get shorter! Initially, we thought it would be fine, but as more people commented on my condition, we checked my spine. The diagnosis was severe: I had a 60-degree scoliosis and needed an operation urgently to prevent further deterioration. The procedure involved breaking my back, straightening it, and securing it with two titanium screws in each vertebra, along with two cobalt chrome rods to maintain the alignment. The removed bone fragments were processed into a pulp and then reinserted as a bone graft to fuse the spine at 10 levels. I thought, “Wow, that’s quite the operation!” But I wondered how I could continue diving with a fragile back like this.

Thanks to the incredible team at Boston Children’s Hospital, I successfully underwent a ten-hour surgery. During my post-operative visit, Dr. Hresko reassured me, saying, “You’re not fragile, Zeb—you are screwed together with titanium!” At that moment, I felt confident that I could dive again.

Margo is always right

As a regular participant in Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton was the most natural person to consult. She has taken numerous children and adults with special needs diving, so I was sure she would have a plan! Margo herself had undergone back surgery, but was still an outstanding diver, so I knew I was in good hands. She assured me that diving was still possible and implemented a few special handling instructions for my situation, which was highly beneficial (she’s always right!).

First, my dad suggested I learn to dive sidemount to reduce pressure on my spine. Honestly, I think he was also interested in advancing his diving skills into a more technical area! Margo arranged for my dad and me to go to Grand Cayman to take a PADI sidemount course with DiveTech. Although it felt unusual to dive this way, it was interesting, but I found the extra hassle of managing two tanks cumbersome. I appreciated learning the technique, but wanted to feel normal again.

Once I was comfortable with sidemount diving, we decided to book a trip to the Galapagos. Margo got the necessary approvals—this was essential since sidemount diving had been banned on the liveaboards. She communicated with the crew and management of Galapagos Sky, who were incredibly accommodating and made a notable exception for me. As the trip approached, I felt my back getting stronger, and I resumed my workouts at the gym. I reached a point where I was ready to try regular diving again. After a brief dive using a standard tank close to home, I was ecstatic to discover how magical it felt to be underwater again, as I had in the past, without the anxiety of navigating different systems.

Diving in the Galapagos

We were all set for the Galapagos, and I was thrilled to dive using a regular central cylinder. The crew of the Galapagos Sky catered to all my needs. Margo chartered the entire boat for my family and three others, which allowed her to customize everything for my success. We selected our dive sites, received assistance for easier entry and exit, and had our private guides.

I appreciated that the staff noticed my significant scar down my back; it was humbling for me—a fit young man with a six-pack—to have to ask for help. The crew helped me step down into the Panga without my gear, then passed my equipment to me and assisted in getting me ready. This arrangement meant I didn’t have to carry my gear or navigate steps while suited up. After a short ride to the dive site, everyone else back-rolled into the water, while I side-rolled to minimize stress on my back.

“I can’t see that turtle through the wall of hammerheads.”

And wow, was it worth it! The underwater life was beyond amazing. We encountered schools of hammerhead sharks on every dive—there were so many that at times I wanted to say, “Seriously, I can’t see that turtle through the wall of hammerheads; could you move aside a bit?” Then there were the majestic whale sharks, gracefully gliding through the water without a sound; these gentle giants seemed just as curious about us as we were about them. I also had the incredible experience of diving with large oceanic wild dolphins. Although I had seen them playing at the surface many times, I had never had the opportunity to swim underwater with them while diving.

Loving the seals

One of my all-time favorites was the seals. They appear so “clumsy” on land but are full of grace, fun, and frolicking underwater. They loved to play in my bubbles, do tricks around us, sneak up on us, and even try to get us to join in the fun. We also encountered marine iguanas, red-lipped batfish, huge bait balls of fish, and an astonishing variety of birds. There was a sense of peace every evening as we moored overlooking Darwin’s Arch and the surrounding islands. The orange glow of volcanoes on the horizon, the gentle lapping of the waves, and the delightful aroma of meals prepared by the crew created a wonderful atmosphere. There were so many photos to take and experiences to cherish. Sharks were plentiful and abundant; Galapagos sharks, silkies, hammerheads, and other reef sharks were present on every dive.

“The experience of a lifetime.”

As Margo always said, “The experience of a lifetime.” I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity, thanks to the collaboration of Margo Peyton, the owner of Kids Sea Camp, Fraser Purdon from Scubapro, my parents, and many others who worked together to ensure my safety during this trip. I am incredibly thankful to all of you for making this experience possible.

If anyone has similar experiences or concerns, please get in touch with me. Scoliosis is surprisingly common, and I’m happy to help. Kids Sea Camp is a wonderful place where families of all abilities and disabilities can dive together. I love them so much!

By Zebedee Wakely, Kids Sea Camp, PADI Master Diver

Grandmother uses KSC for quality family time

13 May 202625 September 2018 by Tom Peyton

Grandmother divers, family dive vacations, kids sea camp

Discovering Kids Sea Camp is a real gift to my family

My two adult sons, Danny and Chris, are divers, and they convinced me, 25 years ago, to become a PADI-certified diver. When they married their wives, Celenie and Stela, they also joined the adventures and became divers. Over the years, I had made taking dive trips with my sons and their wives a top priority for quality family time.

When my grandkids came along, much to my sadness, the family dive trips came to an end. Then one day, as I was thumbing through Scuba Diving Magazine, dreaming of taking dive adventures with my grandkids, I discovered Kids Sea Camp.

I immediately called and shared my find with my sons, and suggested we start taking family dive trips again. They were all for it, and in 2013, we were off on our first trip — to Palau Royal Resort and diving with Sam’s Tours and Kids Sea Camp.

The grandkids were 3, 7, 7 & 10. Benjamin, Sophia, and Hunter started SASY with Margo, while Jackson, at age 10, joined the PADI Jr. Open Water Diver class. We, the adult kids, felt like we had gone to heaven. We enjoyed diving during the days while the kids had fun learning with other kids. It was absolutely PERFECT for everyone! There are times set when adults and kids dive or snorkel together, too. Because of owner Margo Peyton’s expertise, instructor training, and perfect safety record with kids, she is granted a special waiver to dive in the ocean with PADI Seal Team kids aged 8 & 9 worldwide.

Kids Sea Camp in Fiji

We have traveled with Kids Sea Camp to Fiji, where the kids had run of the entire resort, and while Benji was still in SASY, Hunter and Sophia advanced to the PADI Seal Team classes. We had lots of interaction with the local people, and everyone on staff was not only helpful, warm, and hospitable but also genuinely interested in our experience. When we were leaving Fiji, my grandkids were crying and hugging the very special people they had come to know and love. Hunter even said (while sobbing), “How can I possibly leave these people?” You know your grandkids have had a life-changing experience when their emotional reactions are so intense, and they don’t want to leave.

In the summer of 2017, we traveled to Kids Sea Camp Philippines with Sea Explorers. My second grandson, Hunter, became a PADI Jr diver and joined Jackson diving with the other certified kids. We now have 3 generations of divers in our family, diving together.

It seemed impossible to top Palau or Fiji, but Margo & Tom managed to do it yet again. As always. The Pura Vida Homes resort was luxurious, and the staff and service were nothing short of excellent. I had a torn ankle tendon prior to the trip, and a divemaster was always right there on the ladder to help me take off my equipment and hand it up. The Banka boats were the coolest and most spacious dive boats I have ever been on.

Whale sharks in Oslob

We all went to Oslob Island, where we swam and dove with EIGHT whale sharks!! An absolutely mind-blowing experience and a memory created that we, as a family, will never, ever forget. How many families get to have an experience like that?

Each trip is better than the last. Kids Sea Camp sets the bar high with dive operators. Margo runs her trips with expert organization, safety, and professionalism. I love the many interesting and fun outings, events, and activities planned for us to enjoy as a family, out of the water.

All of our trips have been, as the MasterCard commercial says, “priceless.”

I know for absolute certainty that our next trip will be another amazing adventure filled with precious family time, diving, and unforgettable memories.

Sophia and Benji are next to get certified, then we will all be a family of divers again. Owners Margo & Tom Peyton provide a very personal experience, from planning your trip to assisting you every step along the way. Tom and Margo arrange visits to local schools or villages, provide special-needs care and special-occasion surprises, give educational presentations, and so much great family time.

In Palau, Margo set up a spectacular helicopter ride over the Rock Islands for us. The result of all the personal service is why we keep coming back! It’s impossible to put into words how these unique family dive adventures have bonded our family and created memories for me with my grandkids that will last them a lifetime.

We have experienced fascinating cultures and explored new worlds so very different than our own. Each of these trips has expanded our knowledge, appreciation, acceptance, and love of people from all over the world. At the end of each trip, Margo Peyton and Brad Holland have left us memories to last a lifetime, documented in their photo gallery on www.familydivers.com.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tom and Margo, Peyton, for creating Kids Sea Camp, the gift of being able to dive and travel with my kids and grandkids.

Story by Vicki Singley

Fiji changes a young adult’s perspective on life at Kids Sea Camp

14 May 202625 September 2018 by Tom Peyton

I see my life differently because of Kids Sea Camp

I took a trip with my family to Kids Sea Camp at Beqa Lagoon Resort in Fiji, an island in the middle of the Pacific. My life has been pretty different since that amazing experience.

Before my trip to Fiji, I had no clue we were going to visit a village inhabited by what I would consider poverty-stricken families, and a school that didn’t have enough notebooks, pencils, or basic supplies for its children. I thought we were just going to be scuba diving, but meeting those children who did not have the most basic things I have in my life hit me hard.

I realized that what we view as problems in our society, not having a girlfriend, not being invited to that party, are drastically different than their problems, which are much more real and significant. They spend time worrying about where the next meal will come from, hoping for medical treatment when sick, and about getting through the jungle safely when walking to school. The experiences I had in Fiji made me realize how fortunate I am, and to appreciate the little things I never gave much thought to.

Fijians, smiling and singing

When I heard my dad, sister, and I were traveling to the Fijian Islands, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. Learning that the islands are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, I pictured a chain of islands full of luscious jungles, lots of sunshine, and warm blue water. To say that my experience was so different from that picture would be an understatement. When we arrived at the boat to take us to our island, the rain was falling so hard it felt like pellets against my skin. Big waves didn’t help either, surf splashing onto our boat, soaking our clothes. Yet when we arrived on the island of Beqa, the locals and staff from the dive resort were smiling and singing; they helped us off the boat and gave out hot beverages.

Bula to everyone

Already, I was learning how friendly the Fijian people were. They taught me some basic words in the native language: “Bula,” meaning hello, and “Moce,” meaning goodbye. I thought at the beginning of the week that the weather was so important, but later I realized that the people of Fiji left the strongest mark.

While the diving was truly amazing and all the other kids at Sea Camp were awesome, getting to know the local inhabitants meant much more in the long run. Every day, we dove at least twice before returning to the resort for lunch. After that, we would usually play soccer or volleyball with the staff and villagers. When the locals came, I realized they were very different from us outwardly but much the same on the inside.

Villagers welcomed us with open arms

Some kids would show up in torn-up shirts and shorts with all kinds of stains that looked like they’d been there for weeks or months. After a couple of days, we started to get to know the staff and villagers better. Every day, we would walk to their villages, and they would smile, cheek to cheek, and welcome us with the traditional greeting of “Bula”.

Fijian poverty hit me very hard

It was the 4th day when we entered the village of Ravi Ravi in Fiji. Fijian poverty hit me very hard. I saw families with four or more children, as well as adults, living in huts and tiny shacks. To this day, that picture has never left my mind. Instead of being sad, I saw the villagers happy as can be, doing their hard daily work. I couldn’t even imagine living like that. Seeing them living with almost nothing and being as happy as they were made me realize how my everyday problems are nothing compared to theirs.

The next day, we visited a school, and that left the most lasting impression. Many of us brought donations and school supplies for the students. As we walked past the village and into the jungle, the trees grew larger, and the path grew more rugged and untamed. Finally, as we hiked up the last hill, the school came into view. Kids were playing on what was supposed to be their playground. The dirt playground consisted of a basketball hoop made from a wooden bucket and tree leaves, attached to a large tree branch, and two cardboard swings, also hanging from a tree.

The school

The inside of the classrooms was also impactful. As we walked inside, I saw what kids use every day for school: notebooks, pencils, and markers. The big difference between ours was that each classroom just had a few pencils, notebooks, and markers, so three kids had to share one pencil, marker, and notebook. I had never thought of a lack of materials in schools. If we don’t have them, we simply go out and buy whatever we need. Those kids did not have this opportunity. I know the materials that Kids Sea Camp arranges for the school help them, but deep inside, I feel like we could have done so much more.

Still so good and happy

I feel like I changed for the better after my journey to Fiji with Kids Sea Camp to dive and learn about the Fijian people. I realize how many little things we have that others don’t. Those little things aren’t little at all to kids in Fiji and elsewhere around the world. I can’t even imagine waking up every day and walking 35 minutes through the jungle to go to school. I will never forget the kids at the school with no windows, no floors, and no books, yet still so good-natured and happy.

My takeaway from my trip is that the little things in life matter most, and that family is important. While diving with sharks was an amazing experience, my most lasting and important impression was to appreciate how fortunate I am, not to take basic things for granted, and to realize that I have a responsibility to reach out and help others who are less fortunate.

A meaningful vacation

I would like to thank my family, especially my father, for helping me see such a contrast in the world. And a special thanks to Tom, Margo Peyton, and Kids Sea Camp for creating such a meaningful vacation. I can’t wait to experience our next family adventure with KSC in the Philippines this summer.

By Liam Sallee, age 14

Liam, his sister Eliza, and their father, Skip, will be attending their 8th Kids Sea Camp week this year in the Philippines. Liam has almost 100 dives.