Family Stories

Counting Shaun the sheep at Kids Sea CAMP

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shaun the sheep, kids sea camp

Shaun the Sheep, a tiny sea slug, has been discovered.

Destination: The Philippines with Sea Explorers, Amun ini, and Kids Sea Camp. Neither my wife nor I had ever been to the Philippines before. Margo and Tom Peyton, fellow dive industry friends, had invited us multiple times. Tom talked about a strange alien life he found mesmerizing and how incredible it would be to experience. It’s just impossible to describe, he said, but mindblowing and life-changing, a world you will become obsessed with exploring.

My first muck dive in the Philippines: Marcio, another guest, fellow photographer, and avid, loyal Kids Sea Camp adventurer, spoke of a sheep. I was curious; he had my attention. The guides you see can show you almost anything you request, but who knows what to request in a land of aliens? Marcio named the critter focus of this trip for himself and piqued my curiosity: Shaun the Sheep.

As I descended below the surface of the clear Philippine water, I was not fooled by the desolate, grey, bare sand. Tom Peyton said, “This is the home for some of the most incredible creatures I will ever see.” With all the colors of the universe residing on the most minuscule of animals, like the hundreds of nudibranchs found here or pygmy squid, and then there are the mesmerizing colors of the mandarin fish. Tom was so correct. The obsession began as I saw the true master of camouflage, the pygmy seahorse. While the Philippines’ underwater world is nothing short of a new planet, one critter in particular stole my heart even before we met: Shaun the Sheep. Marcio showed me a photo from his dive, and I was hooked.

Keep in mind my wife, Cristina Zenato, and I dive with sharks for a living, so it was pretty interesting to watch myself get so excited about a creature I could barely see with the naked eye. When you see how cute this little guy is, you will understand why.

What is Kleptoplasty?

A tiny leaf slug (Costasiella Kuroshimae) that grows to a length of 7 millimeters. They graze on algae, suck up their chloroplasts, and retain them within their tissues, allowing them to supplement their diet through photosynthesis. This process is called kleptoplasty.

How could I not become obsessed with an animal the size of a grain of rice capable of using photosynthesis? To feed my obsession, I needed to learn more. Shaun has multiple siblings, like the Bumblebee-looking (Costasiella Sp), and distant cousins living in the Caribbean.

But how do you find something so small in the vastness of the ocean?

In the same way, you find any small creature in the Philippines, you find its home. Shaun the Sheep lives on a specific algae called Avrainvillea. Find the algae, see Shaun the Sheep. Rest assured, my quest for Shaun the Sheep is not over. I am looking forward to seeing and photographing its Caribbean cousin.

By Kewin Lorenzen

From SASY to Divemaster with Kids Sea Camp

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

SASY — I was only six years old

For as long as I can remember, I have spent every summer traveling with Kids Sea Camp. I lived in Grand Cayman with my family for the first 10 years, when I started discovering the underwater world. My dad enrolled me in the Kids Sea Camp SASY program (surface-supplied air system) when I was six. I remember running around on the beach collecting giant hermit crabs for the crab races and spending the afternoons learning about marine life and the local Cayman blue iguanas through dot painting classes with Margo Peyton and Ron Rogest. They would have us all saying, “One dip per dot and no double dipping!”

My love for the ocean

Kids Sea Camp, Camp, Kids and diving, Margo Peyton

As I got older and became more involved and interested in diving with Kids Sea Camp, I fell more in love with exploring the underwater world through photography. Margo Peyton, owner of Kids Sea Camp, and my dad introduced me to diving and encouraged me to share my story. I loved taking photos and videos of many incredible adventures with my Sealife cameras. Becoming a PADI Jr. Open Water diver at ten on a Yap and Palau trip with my dad, Tom, and Margo Peyton. I don’t think I was as big as the tank I used back then. My open-water dive with Margo was with Manta Rays, sharks, and giant Napoleon Wrasses.

Tom and Margo often had to hold my hands in the big currents because I was so tiny. I thought that was so much fun then. I grew up diving in currents, so as a teenager, I had so much fun body surfing and playing in them as I continued diving and traveling around the world with Tom, Margo, and my family. (See more about us)

My KSC world

My mom, dad, and I have toured most of the KSC World, including the Galapagos, where I lost all fear of sharks and had so much fun playing with sea lions and seeing my first whale shark. Dad and I dove into the Cathedral under Darwin’s Arch and watched Bullsharks and hundreds of Hammerheads go by. In Fiji, I dove with my very first Tiger sharks and more bull and lemon sharks. My mom was not with us on that trip, but when she saw the photos I was posting on my FB, she suddenly realized they were mine, not Dad’s, and that he had me in the water with big sharks.

Experiencing all that Kids Sea Camp had to offer from such a young age inhibited my love for the ocean and diving and made me want to be more involved in this organization and the diving world. Not only has Kids Sea Camp allowed me to travel to excellent dive sites and experience such incredible things, but it has also allowed me to meet some amazing people.

My first Kids Sea Camp

I remember my first Kids Sea Camp: walking onto the pool deck in Grand Cayman and meeting another girl named Holly. We became best friends instantly and were inseparable throughout the whole two weeks. I longed for my Kids Sea Camp summers and for meeting up with Holly; we always wanted to make sure we were on all KSC trips together, and as we advanced in the diving world, our love for the ocean and our friendship grew. Holly became my dive buddy for nearly every dive I did over the years, thanks to Margo and Tom Peyton, who took us on trips. Many other kids did multiple internships with Kids Sea Camp.

As I became more involved with Kids Sea Camp, I learned a lot about SeaLife cameras from Margo and my dad. I hosted a few demonstrations, and Margo worked with me and directed me toward becoming a better underwater photographer. I have always wanted to be a part of the KSC dive team and help further its mission of teaching so many young people about the thrilling sport of scuba diving.

Becoming a PADI Pro

Margo and Tom offered me a chance to become a PADI DM Pro in 2022 at Buddy Dive Resort in Bonaire. They entirely sponsored my program; it was the best place for me to do my divemaster course. The Buddy Dive team was outstanding as they cheered on my attempt at lugging tanks up the dock, and the coral restoration projects there made my dives much more enjoyable.

What greatly added to my experience on every trip was, as always, my Kids Sea Camp instructors. I learned from them and was treated like family. They forever changed my scuba-diving experiences by creating moments I will cherish forever. Being able to not only grow my love of the underwater world and scuba diving but also build such strong bonds through it has been a fantastic experience. Without Kids Sea Camp, I would never have met or made all the incredible friends I still have today. Kids Sea Camp also made me want to keep expanding my diving knowledge and helped me gain a lot of confidence underwater. I hope to continue my adventure with Kids Sea Camp and become an instructor someday. Scuba diving has made me adventurous and courageous, and given me a global perspective.

By Sophie Purdon, I look forward to sharing all that I shared with the next generation.

Kids Sea Camp the Perfect Choice for your Family Dive Vacations.

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

Join us on unique scuba diving adventures to incredible destinations.

Kids Sea Camp offers a variety of trips for all ages and interests, from beginner-friendly to more challenging family adventures. Family Dive Adventures is a division of Kids Sea Camp Inc., offering a series of customized family-friendly group trips or scuba diving vacations in specific locations worldwide on specific dates. These group family diving events are an excellent way for kids to learn to scuba dive and make new friends worldwide. Families can meet other like-minded families from around the world.

The Lavinsky family was always looking for new and exciting adventures to share with their three young children, ages 4, 8, and 11. When they heard about Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures, they were immediately intrigued. They had always wanted to learn to scuba dive and thought it would be a great way to explore the underwater world with their kids.

Scuba diving as a family

The Lavinsky family booked a trip to Bonaire with Family Dive Adventures. They were so excited to finally experience the wonders of scuba diving as a family. The kids loved learning how to breathe underwater and exploring the colorful coral reefs and schools of fish. The littlest one participated in the SASY program while the other two became Jr. PADI Open Water divers. The parents were amazed by the beauty of the sea and the ease of learning how to dive. Their kids had a new sense of accomplishment, knowing they could dive with other kids worldwide.

After becoming PADI-certified scuba divers at Kids Sea Camp, the Lavinsky family continued diving and traveling as their kids grew. Mr. Lavinsky was so confident in Kids Sea Camp that he decided to go on a father-son trip to the Galapagos aboard a live-aboard. This impacted his young son so much that he fell in love with marine science and wanted to learn about the world’s oceans and travel more with his dad. They had such an incredible, memorable time on their liveaboard scuba diving adventures with Kids Sea Camp that they decided to book the Caribbean Pearl in Utila to dive with whale sharks and wild dolphins. This time, Mr. Lavinsky brought his then-12-year-old daughter and his 15-year-old son. They did their first kids’ night dive and met other kids from around the world who became lifelong friends.

Kids Sea Camp is UnBelizable

The Lavinsky family went to Belize to get their youngest child certified to dive into the second-largest barrier reef in the world. The kids loved seeing all the different animals, including Loggerhead turtles, Eagle Rays, and Reef Sharks. Each trip they went on was better than the last! They traveled to the Turks and Caicos, dove with wild dolphins, and enjoyed diving together as a family. Palau, Yap, and the Philippines were all incredible trips that created memories to last a lifetime. Last summer, their son, now in college, traveled with Mr. Lavinsky to Indonesia, Komodo. Margo Peyton arranged for Max to spend the remainder of his summer in Lembeh and Manado as an intern with Murex Divers.

Max falls in love with diving

The family is always fascinated by the unique wildlife, stunning scenery, and excursions they take on each adventure. Max fell in love with the Philippines when he went with Kids Sea Camp to dive with thresher sharks at Monad Shoal and with whale sharks in Oslob. His mom loved watching the kids enjoy St. Lucia as she enjoyed jungle biking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling the fantastic pitons and walls. They have traveled each year, creating everlasting memories and watching their children grow to be confident ambassadors of the underwater world.

Over 20 trips with KSC

The Lavinsky family has been on over 20 scuba diving adventures with Kids Sea Camp, and they have provided their kids with a living classroom with a global view. If you think about it, you only have 17 summers with your kids. Families love that Kids Sea Camp caters specifically to them, and they appreciate the experienced, knowledgeable staff on each trip.

The Lavinsky family has made lifelong friendships on each trip and continues to nurture those friendships today. The kids are grown and in college, and the Lavinsky family can now enjoy the empty-nest trips created by Family Dive Adventures. Parents can continue to travel and enjoy the other parents they have met along the way. Some of the kids are now PADI scuba instructors. During the summer months, when not in college, they work with Kids Sea Camp, teaching the next generation of divers.

Family Dive Adventures has been rated #1 in family dive travel for 25 years. Kids Sea Camp has a reputation for providing excellent service and safety. They offer a variety of trips to suit all ages and interests. Family Dive Adventures is the perfect choice if you are looking for a family-friendly scuba diving adventure.

The Perfection of The Arenui

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Komodo, Kids Sea Camp, Family Vacations, Sharks, Bucket list, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving, The Arenui

Diving vacation perfection

“Perfection” would be the word if I had to summarize my 10-day trip to Komodo on board The Arenui in a single word. The word “perfection” is not to be used lightly. It means a lot. Let me try to explain. I’ve been diving for over 12 years with my wife, Kim, and, for the past 6 years, as a family with Kids Sea Camp. During this time, we have been fortunate to dive and visit some fantastic places with Kids Sea Camp, the Turks & Caicos, Bonaire, the Philippines, Palau, Indonesia, the Maldives, Fiji, and many more. I’m not a big Liveaboard fan. The trip to Komodo on The Arenui was only my second live-aboard trip.

Our first time was with Tom and Margo Peyton in the Maldives. My wife Kim and I avoided Liveaboards due to the kids’ young age and the great service that has spoiled us, the food, and the attention to detail that the land-based resort’s Kids Sea Camp offers. (Plan your next trip)

Margo and Tom have taken our family of 4 to some fantastic places over the years. But I digress. Let’s go back to the Arenui. After a flight from Detroit to San Francisco, we boarded a flight to Singapore: short layover, another flight to Bali. My first good impression was when I had to call the owner, Luigi, from the luggage desk. Yes, the airline lost our luggage. No problem. Come to the boat, where we will return your luggage. Luigi did just that! A short ride from the airport to the dock. As we boarded the tender, my wife, Kim, pointed out our first view of the Arenui. It looked special. Our kids, Andrew and Alessandra, thought it looked like something from a Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

The Arenui

As we approached, we began to recognize the intricate details. The Arenui looked brand new. The wood detail was unbelievable. As you board the ship, you realize that you are somewhere uniquely special. The crew was fantastic from the moment we boarded until we left. They made us feel appreciated and welcome in everything they do. It was like being a part of their family. Smiles were genuine and constant. They knew us by our first name. We went to see our rooms after greetings and hugs to a few of our familiar Kids Sea Camp dive buddies. These are not ordinary liveaboard rooms. You feel like you are in an art gallery. Like the rest of the boat, woodcarvings and traditional Indonesian art are everywhere. The ship was built in 2008 from repurposed wood. No efforts were spared to make this ship. It is fantastic. I’ve never seen a boat with so many windows. Our room had 8! Spacious, comfortable, well-appointed, beautiful cabins. I’m not exaggerating. The pictures don’t do justice.

The Arenui is a hand-carved work of art. The common areas are spacious, comfortable, and tastefully decorated with a historic Indonesian feel. The sundeck is a utopia, a slice of zen. We watched the sunsets and sunrises from there. (See Arenui Gallery)

Food Perfection

After a short briefing, it was time for the first meal. It was a little bit different than other trips. That brings me to the next point — the food. The owner, Luigi, is a fantastic cook who used to own high-end restaurants. That reflects the culinary experience on board The Arenui. We did not have a single bad meal. Most meals were excellent. The meals were fantastic a couple of times, specifically with butter squash ravioli and pesto pasta! They could be from a five-star Michelin restaurant in any major capital of the world. The fish was fresh and included tuna, swordfish, and barramundi. The beef, pork, and sausage were terrific.

Our 12-year-old daughter Alessandra is a vegetarian. It was no problem. Every meal made explicitly for her was also extremely good. I felt that I needed to be careful with a special request. Because they would fulfill them, I was afraid they would send somebody swimming somewhere to get something they didn’t have on board! The wine list was incredible. By the way, Luigi is also a wine expert and owns a high-end Italian wine distribution center in Asia. Every day, they take orders for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They made this simple, easy, and rushed detail. We were never rushed to do anything. They kept telling us you’re “on holiday.” The alfresco dinners were decent and completely satisfying, leaving you wanting for nothing.

Mind-blowing Diving

The diving, after all, that’s what we’re there for. We had between three and four times a day. The dive crew was out of this world. I have experienced excellent dive service over the years, but this is out of the ballpark, from putting our fins on the tender to taking our booties and wetsuits off once back on the boat. They were washed, dried, and folded again. Unbelievable. Our gear, including my underwater camera, was handled immaculately. They would rinse, clean, and power-dry it every day — I’ve never seen that before. The crew made moving to the main ship to the tenders effortless. You walked with nothing other than your wetsuit on. They would bring everything you needed, put it on, and take it off. Just surrender and allow yourself to be served and experience perfection.

Diving in Indonesia is out of this world

Lembeh dive trips, Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo PeytonThis is my third time in Indonesia, and I am impressed again. The reefs are absolutely immaculate. The amount of fish life is tremendous, from pygmy seahorses, Mantas, and sharks to vast schools of fish. The dives are all incredible! The dive briefings were also executed with perfection. The dive maps, dive descriptions, and current checks were spot on. They would send a tender out from the dive site 15 minutes before the briefing to check the current conditions and disability. And that was rechecking on-site immediately before we dove.

Although the crew made it seem effortless, there was constant attention to safety. Everything I just described went on for 10 days. There were no glitches. The owners, Luigi and Mei, were on board traveling with us. They were diving and enjoying the experience. They let their crew do their own thing. I do not doubt that the experience would be the same if they weren’t there. They have an incredible hand-picked staff.

So, back to my initial statement. Perfection! I’m not exaggerating. Margo and Tom have created a perfect family-diving legacy company, and their care, attention, and choices were up to par for yet another perfect Curvelo family vacation.

This ship, the culinary experience, the staff, and the diving are out of this world! I’ve experienced excellent diving, great food, perfect service, and accommodations before, but never all at once on the same trip!

The Arenui has spoiled us

I can honestly state that the Arenui has spoiled any further dive trip for our family. We have already contacted Margo and Tom and have booked four more trips. I’m going to keep coming back to Kids Sea Camp and again to Arenui to be reminded of what true perfection feels like.

We have enjoyed traveling with Kids Sea Camp and meeting like-minded families worldwide. Andrew and Alessandra completed their PADI Rescue Diver certifications this year, and we are now looking forward to bigger adventures, like Raja Ampat next year, to experience the perfection of the Arenui.

By Marcio Curvelo

Kids can dive with sharks in Fiji at Jean Michele Cousteau Resort

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Fiji, Kids Sea Camp, Kids and scuba diving, family vacation, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving

Fiji is one of the world’s best places to scuba dive with your kids. 

If you’re looking for a luxury family holiday without compromising on quality, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort at Savusavu Bay awaits. In a tranquil setting surrounded by a marine sanctuary, secluded beaches, and mountainous scenery. The resort offers you and your kids the perfect balance between relaxation, recreation, and an interactive, authentic experience with Fijian culture.

Easy diving for kids

Fiji is one of my favorite places to take kids scuba diving. It has shallow, safe areas to dive in, with calm, clear, easy-to-train marine environments that are ideal for kids. We offer SASY for kids aged 4-7 to learn to swim and snorkel, as well as PADI Seal Team for kids aged 8-9 to begin learning about scuba diving in 12 feet of water through Aqua Missions. We use 1 instructor per 2 kids in the water for these programs. Fiji is perfect for families to scuba dive together, learn to dive, and learn about the ocean.

Famous shark diving

Fiji dive trips, Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo PeytonJean-Michel has been involved with the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji, an environmentally and culturally oriented family resort, conceived as a model to prove to the business community the economic benefits of environmental concern and design. To expand the impact of ecological tourism, he created the Jean-Michel Cousteau Dive Centre, a flagship dive operation at the eco-friendly resort in Fiji. He is currently forming an action partnership to expand this ecologically responsible model to other sites. We offer the Ocean Futures program for kids, along with underwater photography, Shark Aware, and night diving. Kids Sea Camp takes kids diving with sharks worldwide, and Fiji is famous for its shark diving.

At Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, we take families out to the World Heritage sites to dive and enjoy reefs teeming with soft and hard corals, along with the white tip, black tip, and reef sharks. Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures have been bringing families on dive vacations to Fiji for 15 years. With over 7,800 certified youth divers, we are ranked the world’s #1 for family scuba diving vacations. Fiji is one of our top 5 destinations to take kids scuba diving with Fiji sharks. 

Bula club for younger kids

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, kids aged 9 and under will have access to our award-winning Bula Club, where they can dive into a range of fun and educational activities while you enjoy a little dive time. Located a short walk from the center of the resort, facilities include a family and junior pool with a water slide, a nursery bure, toddler mushroom cascading pool, trampoline, jungle gym, and flying fox, not to mention a fabulous treehouse on the grounds. In addition, the Bula Club offers a range of activities tailored toward different age groups. This means children can look forward to spending their days learning about Fijian culture or arts and crafts, exploring coral reefs, helping with mangrove replantation projects, or baking with a sun oven.

Our Bula Club reflects the resort’s commitment to children as the future caretakers of the earth and its oceans. Each day offers unforgettable adventures and enriching activities that teach our younger guests about Fijian Culture and the island environment. Unlike other resorts, we cater to babies and toddlers, as well as older children. Each child under 6 will be assigned their own personal nanny from 9 am-9 pm, while children 6-12 years will be assigned a Fiji buddy. Bula Club is complimentary for all families staying at the resort. Fiji photo gallery 

More than just diving

For families who want to explore a little more of Fiji, we offer a number of excursions to sites of interest around the resort, from a trip to the local market to a traditional Fijian village experience at Nukubalavu. Some of our popular offsite activities for older children include daily diving, kayaking, a rainforest and waterfall walk, a mangrove tour, and a sword carving demonstration, as well as visits to the local village and schools. If the kids still have energy to burn off, they can participate in photography classes or sea life presentations, while parents laze by the pool or visit our spa for a relaxing massage.

At Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, there is so much to do for families. Scuba diving, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, village tours, medicine walk, culinary classes, pearl diving, island hopping, and spa services. The resort has a water park, a tree house, a private white-sand beach, and a Bulla club. 

Everyone sings in Fiji

If you love music, then Fiji is the place that will soothe your soul from the moment you arrive. You will be welcomed with big smiles and soft voices as you are sung to, and throughout your stay, you will enjoy children from the village dancing and singing for you, along with many of the Fijian villagers. You can enjoy some cava with the Ratu and learn about this beautiful culture.   

Getting to Fiji

Fiji is for families. A direct nonstop flight out of LAX to NAD on Fiji Air is approximately 10 hours and 45 minutes.  The flights generally depart from LAX at 10 pm or so and arrive in Fiji early morning, around 5 am.  Kids sleep on the flight and wake up ready to go.  Let us guide you on your next best family dive vacation to Fiji. When it comes to your kids, deep down you want the best! That’s 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

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

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.