Family Stories Archieven - Page 5 of 8

The search for the perfect dive vacation is over

13 May 202617 September 2019 by Tom Peyton

Kids Sea Camp, Amazing vacations, photograpers

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

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

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

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

Margo Peyton

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

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

We have never looked back

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

KSC all around the world

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

Margo’s muster text

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

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

The Poetry night is wonderful

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

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

By Patti Snyder

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

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.

Moments that last a lifetime in Cayman Brac

13 May 202618 August 2018 by Tom Peyton

Cayman Bra dive trips, Kids Sea Camp, Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Margo Peyton, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving

Kids Sea Camp making a lifetime of memories in the Cayman Brac

By Evan Groth

Cayman Brac Reef Resort: Sharing moments of dazzling Caribbean sunsets, salty sea breezes, and night skies brimming with stars brings me nostalgia found only in the best of memories. These memories are of my first Kids Sea Camp adventure spent in Cayman Brac. Every day was spent to its fullest, and every moment was full of friendship, adventure, and peace of mind.

The underwater world is filled with silence, mystery, and grace. Throughout my first ocean dives, I discovered what keeps bringing divers back under the waves. Strange colors and the alien movements and fish patterns lure the mind into a state of serenity and Zen. Weightlessness and silence filled only with the most foreign sounds envelop you in a trance and give you the impression of a stranger in a strange world. Everything is shrouded in mystery, and nature feels as powerful as it should be. These feelings lure divers into the underwater world, but Kids Sea Camp offers even more. (See The Cayman Islands Gallery)

The president and founder of Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton, did the impossible by taking something perfect and making it more remarkable. I arrived at the 2018 Cayman Brac week excited but a little nervous. Most of the guests had traveled to Kids Sea Camp weeks together for years and I thought I would be the stranger among them. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The atmosphere was the most welcoming I had ever felt traveling, and within a day or two, I felt like I was longtime friends with almost all the guests at the resort. When people say that Kids Sea Camp is one great family, it means it’s a place where you can bond with those around you faster than you thought possible. Not for a moment did I feel like an outsider, and I got to experience diving at its maximum capacity.

I dove thrice daily, starting as a PADI Open Water Diver. The instruction and care provided by the staff were unmatched, and throughout the week I achieved my PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Rescue Diver certifications. As a diver, I grew much faster than I thought possible in such a brief time, and despite my rigorous training schedule, I didn’t feel rushed or stressed at all. I did my training and certification with other people my age all while making unforgettable friends and memories.

Kids Sea Camp changes diving from an underwater safari to an undersea fantasy world. The limit is what you can come up with. Every dive has the sightseeing and sea creatures you expect, but Kids Sea Camp adds a twist. At the end of the dives before safety stops, everyone plays around as kids should. Sandy bottoms lead to filming underwater lightsaber fights. Finger wrestling tournaments, underwater acrobatics shows, and bubble ring contests are common. When we get old we stop playing as much, but playing underwater feels like playing in space, something to try no matter your age.

I guess I am saying that Kids Sea Camp has something for everyone. Whether you seek tranquility, thrill, sharks, or the sparks of new friendships. Despite only being able to see each other for one week a year, it is clear all those on Kids Sea Camp are close and love each other like family. Becoming a part of that family has been an honor for me, and I already can’t wait for next summer. I work for Kids Sea Camp as a part-time summer employee trying to become an instructor. As a 19-year-old college student, I have the best job in the world. Margo and Tom gave me an opportunity I could never have dreamed of years ago. To travel the world diving with amazing people, there isn’t much more I could ask for.

If you are considering going to Kids Sea Camp for the first time, I can highly recommend it. There is nothing quite like it in the diving industry because it’s not just a company—it’s a family. It’s a place for kids to learn to dive and fall in love with the Ocean. You will remember your Cayman Brac KSC week forever.

Perfection is easily desired but rarely achieved on vacation

14 May 20261 August 2018 by Tom Peyton

I rarely write letters of recommendation

Dear Margo, I rarely write letters of recommendation, I hate the constant solicitation from Amazon to write reviews, but it is with great pleasure that I write this note to you. First, thank you for sharing your wonderful husband with us here at our first Pacific Kids Sea Camp trip, especially at this time. Tom Peyton is warm and generous and made our first days at Kids’ Sea Camp Palau a very pleasant affair.

Making the effort to be perfect in Palau

Rarely have I seen so many people work so hard to make a vacation work well for my family. I know that some look for perfection in such vacations; I do not. I look for effort. Perfection is easily desired but rarely achieved. Sincere effort is rarely made and is usually driven by rules, not the heart. Only one can be achieved, and it takes a lot of hard work. Your choice of resorts around the world is, in my opinion, excellent. I can’t turn around without finding one of your staff waiting to see what I want and to try to make my vacation better. Your people are good at what they do and are sincere in their friendships. It is great just being around them.

Josh is wonderful

This brings me to Josh Comay. The number of fun and sometimes serious conversations my family has shared with these two warm and funny people will leave an impact that we will take home with us. Their concern for our stay isn’t lip service; it is from the heart. I know that I’ve already written this, but I can’t state it firmly enough. Tom may have told you that I have an overboard sense of humor. It takes stamina and patience to deal with it at times. Josh took it in and gave back in equal measure, something that takes courage and a great sense of humor. I am grateful for that and their friendship. That brings us to time spent. I came on this trip with the notion that I would learn a bit about underwater photography. (See KSC gallery)

Instead, I learned a great deal, including a good bit about my above-water photography. I am a practiced amateur at above-water shooting. The conversations I’ve had with Josh have given me great insight into shooting at depth, but they’ve also made me rethink a number of things about my picture-taking in general. His effort there was quite high and is much appreciated. In fact, the time he spent teaching me was extensive and pleasant. I will forever carry a warm spot for Nudibranchs in my heart due to conversations with Tom.

Teaching my children

The kids I have coached and refereed in youth soccer. Finding staff, people who understand children and teaching, and getting good outcomes, is tough. In my opinion, American culture has forgotten that teachers are a valuable asset in the emotional and external development of our children. We only want kids to learn what we want them to learn, forgetting that other thinking and opinion is good for them. I have been impressed by the efforts to teach my kids about the oceans, about being in the marine environment, and about our obligations to take care of that resource. Most of all, your staff’s efforts to teach my kids to behave carefully while scuba diving are greatly appreciated.

My brother-in-law is a huge WWII fan. In part, we came to Palau so he could visit and experience the WWII history here. The recognition by your folks was important to him, and it has led to numerous discussions on how to make that part of his vacation as fulfilling as possible. I will end by thanking you for your efforts on behalf of my family and for making my holiday most enjoyable.

With Regards, Lyle O. Ross, Husband of Alice Chen and father of Auden and Emerson Chen

Family finds their vacation answer with Kids Sea Camp

13 May 20261 March 2018 by Tom Peyton

Kids Sea Camp, Kids and diving, Galapagos dive vacations

“Honey, I think I found what we have been looking for!”

By Patti Snyder

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

Kids Sea Camp, Amazing vacations, family vacation

Unfortunately, we thought, kids and scuba diving would not go together very well. As I sat at my computer, hopeful, I entered various words into the search engines online: “family diving,” “kids scuba diving,” “family vacations.” Kids Sea Camp popped up, and I turned to my husband and said, “Honey, I think I found what we have been looking for!”

I called the next day, and Margo answered the phone. We spoke at length, as I had many concerns because Hunter couldn’t swim or speak English, and Sam, who has ADHD, is not one to sit through a course. Maybe it was selfish of us, but I just knew we had to go.

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

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

Over the past eight years, our family vacations have been with Kids Sea Camp. There were challenges along the way. The hardest part for Sam was completing the book work for his Jr. Open Water class. But you put Sam in a wetsuit and scuba gear, and the little diver in him takes right over. Sam and Hunter love zero gravity, and that little kid who once sank to the bottom of the pool is now a varsity swimmer and triathlete. They want to experience life to the fullest, and nothing holds them back. We have taken them diving at Kids Sea Camp in Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Utila, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent, and, coming up this month, Belize. Our first liveaboard Kids Sea Camp in the Socorro Islands is planned for this December.

Some of those KSC places have seen our faces more than once. Each time we go, we reconnect with families we have met and meet new ones. We have watched as our kids (and other families’ kids) have transitioned from SASY to Seals to JOW to AOW divers. We are all divers; watching our kids become divers is a bond we share.

I am the lucky one. I have three men in my life who share my passion for the sea. Not all of the places Margo researches for Kids Sea Camp pass her muster because it takes a special family-friendly place, a special family-friendly PADI dive instructor, and a special local family-owned operation for her to feel safe entrusting “her kids” in the underwater world.

Margo is a PADI instructor whose whole life is dedicated to keeping kids safe while teaching them about the ocean. All of the resorts are PADI five-star dive centers. Then there are the extras that are included, like private boats, kids’ dive gear, private instructors, and even Margo and Tom. There are other things to do, like zip-lining, chocolate tasting, spas, jungle biking, beach volleyball, fire dancers, sunset cruises, and cultural excursions.

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

You see, wreck diving off the coast of North Carolina brought us together 28 years ago, and Kids Sea Camp rekindles that with the perfect family dive vacation.

Kids Sea Camp is so much more than that!

13 May 202618 January 2018 by Tom Peyton

Sea of Cortez, Kids and diving, family vacations, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving

I’m not technically a kid anymore

Kids Sea Camp is for families, but it’s also the perfect place for young adult divers ages 13-19, who are ready for some independence, advanced adventure, and continuing education, and who want to have memorable experiences with other teens.

I’m not technically a kid anymore. That’s why I say, “Kids Sea Camp is more than that.”

I’m getting ready for college soon, and this summer, I enjoyed diving with my family, grandparents, aunt, and uncle at KSC Roatan. Spending a week diving together was one of the best experiences I have had with my entire family.

My dad is a military doctor, so I have grown up moving around. We lived in Guam for many years, and that’s when my mom read about Kids Sea Camp and booked the Palau trip in 2012. Each year since then, my parents, my two younger sisters, 15-year-old Helen, 13-year-old Zoe, and I pick a KSC dive trip. Both land-based trips and liveaboards are on the table and open for discussion.

The Best Dive trips

KSC trips are in the best dive destinations around the world. I have been to KSC Palau three times with Sam’s Tours, KSC Fiji at Beqa Lagoon Resort, KSC Roatan at Mayan Princess, and the Sea of Cortez, KSC’s “Citizen Science Week” on the Quino El Guardian.

Many KSC followers return year after year, like my family. But there are always new families, dive staff, and great people to meet. That’s the “Kids Sea Camp magic” that Margo Peyton created 18 years ago when she started the company for her kids. My mom enjoys underwater photography, and my dad seems to relax and enjoy the quiet of being on a dive boat and submerged, where the business of everyday life can’t reach him. My sisters love the water and look forward to these trips, as there are many activities beyond diving.

I think we all agree to have other kids our age on the trips to share adventures and hang out with has been the best part. I love to travel with my family, but diving with other teens from around the world, learning about new cultures, creatures, and ecosystems, and discovering myself is why I want to keep coming back.

On these trips, the cell phones get put away. Being in the moment is more fun than worrying about what everyone is doing back home. I have found that I can easily handle being unplugged in exchange for adventure.

My parents surprised me with a Quino El Guardian trip to Mexico this past summer on a KSC “Citizen Science Week.” It was doubly sweet because my best friend, Mo, was my roommate and dive buddy. We had several other girls our age on board as well. The week was full of science and cool encounters with whales, sharks, and sea lions.

Meeting MO

I met Momo “Mo” Hudes on a flight to KSC Palau in 2013. We bonded, became dive buddies, and later became best friends. Adding shipmates to that relationship this summer has set the bar pretty high for planning our next adventure. Our parents have faith and trust in Kids Sea Camp, and that confidence allowed us to embark on our own adventure.

Mo and I joined the liveaboard in the Sea of Cortez. The two of us journeyed through several airports and had to find our way around without our parents. This trip was an incredible opportunity for me to grow as an individual by stepping out of my comfort zone and putting to use the years of travel training Mom had provided.

I had never been on a liveaboard before, so seven days at sea was an intimidating adventure. I had the most eye-opening and liberating trip of my life, and Mo and I met some incredible people.

Part of the Kids Sea Camp family

We were made to feel a part of the KSC family, as always. Our dive guide was Juan, whom we called “Dad” because he looked after all of us like a father. KSC staff member and photo-pro Brad Holland became “Cool Uncle Brad.” Linda Sue Dingle, aka “Mom” from Sport Diver magazine, helped us feel at home on the ship, especially when she busted out goody bags of American flags, red, white, and blue-tinted glasses, and “I love America” signs for the 4th of July party she threw for us.

Mo and I learned so much about marine animals, plankton, and diving from marine biologist Dr. Robert Rubin, the leader of “Citizen Science Week.”

I have many mentors from my dive masters and instructors, all of whom have become part of our family. I remember each fabulous venue with nostalgia and its lasting impressions in my mind.

My favorite KSC moments

1. One evening on The Quino El Guardian, after a day dancing with sea lions, I was quietly observing another radiant sunse, reflectinget in front of the ship, a finback whale breached out of the water. The splash shimmered with golds and reds and reflected a kaleidoscope of similar colors off its body as it landed.
2. I recall night swimming off a moonlit beach in Roatan after watching fire dancers with new friends.
3. The views speeding through the Rock Islands of Palau on the bow of our dive boat, cutting through the turquoise waters that reflected the beauty of the Floating Islands.

By Sophia Quast, age 17

Kids Sea Camp Adventures inspires young diver to become new advocate for the ocean

13 May 202618 January 2018 by Tom Peyton

Kids Sea Camp, Galapagos, Diving adventures

Becoming the voice of the underwater world

My very first dive will always be in my memory, the very first time I was able to become the voice of the underwater world.

I had been excitedly waiting for that moment, even before I had stepped off the airplane into Grand Cayman’s sun. My parents had always spun elaborate tales of their experiences diving, and now it was my turn to see the wondrous world they had shared under the waves.

On that day of my first dive, the thing that struck me most was that I could actually breathe underwater. I took a deep breath in to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I could see the surface was a good fifteen feet above me, but I was breathing. I floated above the sea bottom and just breathed. I beheld the world around me as I descended into the blue.

Everything was behind me now, as if in another life. I couldn’t hear anything, but my own inhales, and those were very quiet, although Darth-Vader reminiscent. When I exhaled, I could hear absolutely nothing else. I now understand why the ocean is sometimes called the ‘Silent World.’

At first, I saw nothing, but upon closer inspection, I saw spiky red sea urchins populating the ocean floor. The urchins fascinated me. I had seen urchins very similar to them in the touch tanks at the aquarium, but I had always assumed that they lived in the deep ocean, not right here off the edge of a dock.

The sun showed right through the water, lighting up all the coral and fish around me. I am filled with awe at all I can see, and at first, I don’t know where to look, perhaps the deep sapphire blue out in the distance, or the small yellow fish not two feet away.

My problem evaporated very quickly, and soon I knew exactly where to look. As far as the eye could see, there were brilliant oranges, pinks, and reds. The sea-fans were made of a spider-web pattern, lacy strands of vivid coral with little holes between them. The tide washed in and out, swishing the seafans each time it came in. The ocean’s synchronized dancers captivated me: Tide in, sea-fans lean towards shore. Tide out, sea-fans lean away. Their routine was almost hypnotic, dancing to their own silent song.

I remember spotting my first lobster, a beady-eyed creature that was far larger than any I had seen lying on the ice in Pike Place Market at home in Seattle. The way it moved was completely alien to me. I had only ever seen a live lobster in a tiny restaurant tank, crawling over dozens of its siblings.

It’s been years since my first dive, and Kids Sea Camp has given me a lot of confidence as a diver. Each experience has inspired my interests in marine science. I have met other kids and families who share my interest in diving. Kids Sea Camp is very often the highlight of my summer! It’s what I talk about when I go back to school and write essays about when we get a free topic. I have attained many certifications, including Advanced Open Water Diver, Drift, Shark Aware, and an Underwater Photographer specialty.

Not afraid of sharks anymore

I was terrified of sharks, but now I’ve learned so much about them and other marine life. I have been diving with schooling hammerheads at Darwin’s Arch in the Galapagos, black tips at Blue Corner in Palau, grey reef sharks and mantas in Yap, and stingrays in Grand Cayman. I’m just not afraid anymore.

I’ve learned a lot about ocean-related issues, but the decline in shark populations is what I’ve been focusing on most. While in Palau, I attended a KSC lecture about the value of a shark’s alive vs. dead. The economic impact of shark tourism actually outweighs the profit from shark finning. I was fascinated by this, and I have been driven to do more — to stay informed about shark finning and other shark issues. Whenever I hear someone make a negative shark comment or reference Jaws, I launch into my mini-speech about sharks and how important they are for our oceans.

Diving is my passion

You see, diving is my passion. It has let me see and learn about creatures I never knew existed. I love going to Kids Sea Camp, meeting new people, and diving with other teens my age. I also like that my parents can dive with adults, and I can dive with newfound friends. KSC also has fun excursions while we’re not diving. My favorite was Jellyfish Lake in Palau. It was so peculiar to swim with thousands of jellies and touch them without getting stung!

Lastly, I enjoy diving as a family and having time together. I don’t feel like I’m on a completely separate vacation. I’ve done a lot of writing and speaking about my diving experiences; I feel it’s important and our responsibility to protect the oceans. I encourage my audience to be active in conservation and consider scuba diving. I know that most people reading this are divers, and they already have the oceans close to their hearts. To you, I will say the most influential thing you can do for conservation is to educate a young person. Bring your children, grandchildren, your godchildren, or your nieces and nephews on a dive vacation, and share with them the underwater world that you love. Present a slideshow at a local school, library, or teen center. If you can pique their interest in diving, even better! Tell families about Kids Sea Camp: Kids ages 10+ can earn their Open Water certifications, and those younger can do SASY or Seal Team. 15 PADI dive courses have college credits. Getting the next generation to care about the ocean is key.

Margo Peyton rocks!

Margo is the creator of Kids Sea Camp, and she takes time for each and every family and genuinely wants to know how she can serve and enrich their experiences. She’s also an excellent dive instructor and event planner; she has fun activities up her sleeve for the whole family (4-year-olds to grandparents!). I think that Margo is secretly Superwoman.

Since I have earned all my certifications and done most of my diving through Kids Sea Camp, I closely tie KSC to my diving “career”. I strongly believe that Kids Sea Camp has been a big part of who I am today. I’m more globally aware and confident because of my certifications. For all of this, I also say THANK YOU to my mom and dad for choosing Kids Sea Camp for our family vacations!

My favorite animal encounters so far have been with sea lions and whale sharks in the Galapagos. I felt very safe and well informed, and loved sharing those dives with new friends Melea and JB, as well as my mom and dad.

One of my favorite non-dive excursions was in Palau — bathing myself in a Milky Way mud bath. Each trip offers authentic activities that help you learn about the culture and people.

I am excited to be attending Kids Sea Camp Grand Cayman over my spring break; I’m going to be taking a PADI Jr. Rescue Diver course. I feel it will make me a safer diver and a better buddy. I’m very excited because Rescue Diver is the next big step in dive education, and my goal is to become a PADI divemaster when I’m 18.

Remember, the ocean is silent —it has no voice. It cannot speak for itself in debates about marine preserves or commercial fishing laws. I am eager for my voice to be a voice of the ocean, to be a protector and advocate for it. I am a certified diver with just under fifty dives, and after every single dive, I feel a renewed passion towards my goal — to be the voice. I encourage you to travel and to dive with your families, experience the underwater silent world, and become a voice too.

By Audrey Sarin, age 13, PADI Open Water diver and working on becoming a Jr. Rescue diver