Destination: Bonaire

Mother leads her family to the sea

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The treasure of Kids Sea Camp

I have always loved the sea, would read about it, dream about it, and aspire to live beside it one day.

“I can see the sea!!” shouts seven-year-old me from behind the car. It was the highlight of my year. Growing up in inner-city London, UK, our summer trip to Margate, on the coast, was a much-anticipated event. All three children in the back seat competed to be the first to see the sea! I always won!

Meeting Dave

sea, Kids Sea Camp, kids and diving, family dive adventuresWhen I met my unique, excellent, and fabulous husband, we didn’t share many common interests. We were far too competitive to take up each other’s hobbies. So we resolved to start something new together. Our honeymoon was in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and we decided to learn to scuba dive. Imagine our shock when we were presented with books and exams on our honeymoon! (Way before e-learning!). We learned together. And both of us became utterly mesmerized by the underwater world, the beauty, the color, the action of the reef, and the peace in our hearts. The strands of love woven together to create our family tapestry had begun to take shape. Scuba diving was one of those strands.

Dave and I traveled the world on every vacation to dive. We also took up diving in the cold and murky waters of the UK. Loving to be at one with the sea in all its forms: cold, warm, crystal clear, murky green. We loved the camaraderie of diving. The discussions about our underwater adventures. The concern from all of us is for protecting the environment. And the lack of concern for what we might look like as we came out of the ocean, with hair everywhere and snot pouring out of our noses! Diving is a great leveler!

Finding Kids Sea Camp

Fast forward a few years, and we live in Eswatini, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, with two small children. We continued diving. It became more complicated trying to find places where childcare was available to cover the diving parents . I was delighted when a friend from America visited and brought “Scuba Diving” magazine, which Dave and I devoured from front to back. I was drawn to an advert for “Kids Sea Camp,” which sounded like the perfect vacation for our little family! My children, Holly and Zebedee, were only 1 and 2 at the time, but I cut out the advert and saved it, and it came with us halfway across the world as we set up our new home in Bermuda. (See our event calendar)

When Holly turned four, I saw the advert and asked about Kids’ Sea Camp trips. So began our journey into diving as a family and in strengthening that strand of the rope of love that binds us together. I hoped my children would love the ocean as we did, and hopefully even scuba diving, but I had yet to learn how much they would love it!

Our first Kids Sea Camp

We went to Curacao on our first Kids Sea Camp family dive vacation, and after that, there was no question of seeking out other vacations since we had found the winning deal! Kids’ Sea Camp family vacations are amazing! It is an actual holiday for parents, who get to spend time with other like-minded parents who share similar values, a love for the ocean and the environment, and a desire to share this with their children.

The parent boats are a haven of hilarity and fun, which can be enjoyed knowing that your children are having their absolute blast doing PADI SASY, PADI SEAL, or diving on the kids’ boat with the incredibly highly experienced Kids Sea Camp dive team that not only supervised our kids but mentored them, taught them, and became like family to them.  From Margo and Tom to Woody, Olivia, and many others, they have inspired, encouraged, and nurtured our kids to love diving and travel.

The kids loved KSC

Watching Holly and Zebedee, then 4 and 5, being taught all sorts of childhood fun by the older children brought me so much joy. They would be carefully watched as they jumped off the dock, ran around the beach, and did crazy stuff like learning new high-five maneuvers from teenagers! It was heartwarming to see “the village raising the child,” and the other children vacationing with us were so kind and loving. It just made for an amazing couple of weeks for all of us!

We were hooked!

Children see things differently from adults and learn alongside other children, furthering their dive education while having so much fun and framing diving with a new perspective. Diving becomes the child’s hobby and the parents’ since they control their decisions, diving, and responses. The children come off the boat full of excitement at what they have seen, what they have done, and what they have achieved. KSC kids share their experiences, forming friendships that can continue throughout the year. The children vacation together and have a great time. They switch the tables around in restaurants so they can eat together, and their world is shared through each other’s eyes, not just the parents’.

The kids connect

Meanwhile, the parents love watching their children connect, enjoying crab racing, shell collecting, sunsets, basketball, hammocks, and hilarity while they sit at the bar and chat through the day, laughing, joking, and sharing some of the challenges of parenthood. Some of my best friends, with whom I have shared the most from my heart, are friends from Kids Sea Camp. I have learned so much from such fascinating people and the challenges they have overcome. I would love to spend the whole year with them, but if it is just a couple of weeks, I will aim to repeat it every year!!

Kids Sea Camp has been much more than a dive vacation to our family. It’s been a place to meet interesting new people and a place to meet old friends with whom we had spent previous Kids Sea Camp weeks. It is a place for children to come together, be kids again, and learn valuable skills while enjoying the fun of new and old friendships. Kids Sea Camp is a space where you feel physically and emotionally safe. It’s great to see old faces you trust, who you know will look after your children, underwater and above the water. It’s a space where you can connect with friends and feel safe to share your anxieties or concerns, as well as your high points and celebrations. Kids Sea Camp is a place to learn from other parents and gain different perspectives on how to approach things.

Oodles of fun

Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton, Philippines family dive tripsThese are the reasons we have gone back to Kids Sea Camp time and time again. The key to a vacation is fun, and Kids Sea Camp has oodles of it. The key to fun is building relationships, and there are plenty of opportunities at Kids Sea Camp.

The side benefits of traveling the world, experiencing other cultures, and occasionally being uncomfortable are, of course, all there as well. Still, they are not limited to Kids Sea Camp and are just a function of traveling with children. However, Kids Sea Camp can make it all stress-free, easy, and safer.

When we returned from Palau on Continental, most of our group was on this same flight. The children started playing together, playing cards, coloring, sharing stories from the week, and keeping one another entertained. We had so many comments from others on the flight about how much of a joy it was to watch them. And asked, “Are you all a big family?” The air stewardesses came and handed out ice cream from first class to everyone! These moments are unique, but at Kids Sea Camp, Tom and Margo Peyton create them in abundance.

Loving KSC is easy

There are not enough positive words to express my love for everything Kids Sea Camp has provided for our family. My children, Zebedee and Holly, both live by the ocean in Australia.  Holly became a Divemaster and an instructor through Kids Sea Camp. She is now a PADI Course Director at 21, with over 2000 dives. Holly is working full-time as a dive instructor in Queensland, Australia, whilst also studying at university. She and her partner have set up their own dive company. Learning from and working with Margo and Tom Peyton at Kids Sea Camp was invaluable. They provided a wealth of experience and generously shared their home, hearts, and time. We are so very grateful for the direction provided. Zebedee also loves to dive, but you are more likely to find him out on a surf break in the early mornings than donning scuba gear. (See our Catalog)

Happy 26th Birthday, Kids Sea Camp! A quarter of a century well spent shaping a future generation of ocean enthusiasts and environmental protectors. Thank You!!

By Cathy Wakely

 

“Diving into Memories: The Danks Family’s Legacy with KSC”

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

Margo often says there are only 17 summers.

She advises others to spend them wisely. Time is the only investment we continually make, yet we never know the balance in our account. The Danks family spends it wisely.

14 summers started in 2007

Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton, older diversAugust 2021, in St. Lucia, was a bittersweet trip for the Danks family. We had enjoyed – been thrilled – 14 consecutive summers together at Kids Sea Camp. Interrupted only by COVID the preceding summer. It was to be the last for the whole family. Three granddaughters had graduated and taken on new interests outside of scuba diving. At ages 19, 19, and 21, getting everyone to make time for summer vacations had become more challenging. But let us start at the beginning.

In 2007, when we learned about and booked our first  KSC through a friend of Margo’s, Heather Crowder. Our KSC adventures began in Curacao. Joe and I (Grandma and Grandpa) had just started scuba diving a few years before. Or two sons had also enthusiastically taken up diving.

The whole family loved Kids Sea Camp Curacao – granddaughters, then 4, 4, and 6, were enrolled in the Kids Sea Camp custom-designed SASY program for 4-7-year-olds. SASY included fun activities like swimming with dolphins, painting, snorkeling, and learning about the ocean through games and presentations. Our sons, David & Mark, were established divers, David’s wife, Mara, preferred snorkeling, and Sharon also enjoyed diving. We loved having the whole family together, and our precious time was spent on a scuba-diving family vacation. 

“Where are we going next year?”

The following year, Margo suggested  Roatan, and the pattern was solidified. The girls enjoyed mastering their swimming skills, snorkeling, and making new friends. Swimming with the dolphins and horseback riding were the girl’s favorite activities. We enjoyed our time together as a family and had plenty of time apart with our adult kids diving and exploring Roatan. On the first day, after the KSC treasure hunt, Ayden asked me, “Where are we going next year?” Her mother was appalled at the question, but Joe and I knew the family was hooked on Kids Sea Camps from that point forward.  

Goodies Boxes

Each year, Kids Sea Camp sends out goodie boxes filled with T-shirts, SCUBAPRO fins, masks & snorkel sets, tote bags, and other gifts for the kids. The boxes create so much excitement about their upcoming trip. We continued to Bonaire at Buddy Dive. At Buddy Dive, here, the girls were introduced to the PADI Seal Team and were able wear scuba gear made for youngsters. They loved the Donkey Sanctuary, turtle hatches, treasure hunts, and pizza movie night. Joe and I enjoyed the relaxed pace of Bonaire, its ease of diving. Buddy is the perfect place to visit with our grandkids, with the ocean just off the dock.  

In 2011, the Danks decided on Grand Cayman as Maia, the oldest, turned ten and became a PADI Jr. Open Water Diver that summer. Grand Cayman did not disappoint; pirates, tug-o-war, bonfires, a treasure hunt, and baby turtles were released. Maia was certified with her open-water dive on the Kitti Wake wreck. Ayden and Kiera were enrolled in the PADI Seal Team and enjoyed dives at Sting-Ray City that week, while Maia got to experience the world’s best 12 ft dive with her mom and dad.  

The Palau Adventure

The quality of service and level of safety that Tom and Margo provide on their trips convinced us to head across the Pacific in 2012 to Palau for our next KSC adventure. We spent two memorable weeks there, and the family was amazed by the diversity of sea life and the cultural interactions along the beautiful beaches and on boat rides. One memorable dive was at the Blue Corner. While the adults were hooked in at about 60 feet, Maia and the other certified kids were at 40 feet, and Ayden and Kiera were doing a Bubble Maker Dive at 6 feet with their instructors. The whole family was watching the shark show at the same time.

All the kids are certified

In the summer of 2013, Kiera and Ayden earned their long-awaited Junior Open Water certifications. It was an incredible memory and time to celebrate that all the kids were certified to dive. The family is so excited about diving together, and each summer, we plan another awesome dive adventure. We bounced back and forth between Caribbean sites, returning to Bonaire Buddy Dive Resort, St. Lucia Anse Chastanet, and the Cayman Islands. The bigger 10-14-day trips to the Pacific, including Yap at Manta Ray Bay, Palau again, Wakatobi (Indonesia), and Fiji all remarkable. All those incredible family adventures eventually led to that final trip as one big family in 2021 to St. Lucia, our 14th year of KSC. 

However,  as luck would have it, that would not be the end of traveling with Tom, Margo Peyton, and the Kids Sea Camp crew. It was just a change in how many of us traveled together. 2021 was a big summer for us; our granddaughter Kiera completed her DM in  Roatan under PADI Instructor Robbie Peyton and then went directly to the KSC IDC in Bonaire. She was joined by friends Kendal, Sydney, Melea, and Mara, who had been through the Kids Sea Camp journey as youngsters. Margo allowed Kiera to intern and teach in St. Lucia in 2021 and again in Belize in 2022. So many friendships, stories, and fond memories were created during that 15-year period.

18 trips later

To date, the Danks have made 18 total trips. The Kids Sea Camp crew provides a wonderful mentorship for the sport of scuba diving. Having spent valuable time with our kids and grandkids over the years, meeting like-minded families, and making lifelong memories, KSC became one of the best choices we made each year for the Danks family.

Tom and Margo have provided amazing, professional, caring leadership for this organization. They have been responsible for providing priceless opportunities for young divers. While our family has grown up. The Empty Nester trips with Margo and Tom have allowed us to continue traveling with them.

Congratulations, Peyton family, on your 25th anniversary of Kids Sea Camp. (See our new 2026 Catalog) Thank you for the cherished memories with our adult children and grandchildren. 

By Carol Danks

 

“A safe place to dive as a family”

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

Healing with Kids Sea Camp

My husband Doug and I have been scuba diving for the better part of 25 years. Before having kids, we enjoyed diving together around the world. Diving has always been a pleasant temporary escape from the everyday world for us. It provides a quiet peace we have not often found on the top side. Doug and I are retired US Marines. When we had our sons, we stopped diving like most families.

Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo PeytonWhen our youngest turned 10, the age PADI allows kids to become Jr. Open Water Divers, we heavily fostered both boys’ interest in becoming certified divers. Doug and I were very excited to have our boys as dive buddies; it was a long-awaited dream come true. Josh and Sam started their course at home, at our local dive shop, and then we flew to Jamaica to complete their PADI courses.  We quickly learned (before finding Kids Sea Camp)that most of the dive industry does not seem to cater to youth divers safely. Smaller gear and experience were hard to come by.

After the certification process we experienced in Jamaica, we felt it was rushed. Those dive instructors were not nurturing and clearly did not understand the difference between a child and an adult student.  After waiting over 10 years to dive with our kids, we wanted them to have a safe, fun, positive experience. We did not want them to be scared; unfortunately, that was precisely what had happened in Jamaica. After returning from that trip, we began searching for what we, as parents, considered a safer option.

Finding Kids Sea Camp

That is when we found Kids Sea Camp, and what a fantastic find it was. A place where families from around the world could come together and meet other like-minded families and enjoy a safe, fun scuba diving family vacation. There was plenty of time together with our boys to enjoy, while there was also time apart. Our first Kids Sea Camp was in the Cayman Islands in 2019. Josh and Sam met other certified divers to have fun and make new friends. They dove with knowledgeable, kid-friendly instructors who improved their diving skills and kept them safe. Throughout the trip, we all had fun with karaoke, Pirates, treasure hunts, and many other family activities. Doug and I had a worry-free trip and enjoyed scuba diving with our boys on the family dives and with other parents on the adult dives. Doug and I could not have been happier watching the kids bond, sing, dive, laugh, and enjoy daily. (See our gallery)

Sudden devastation

Sadly, shortly after that wonderful week, tragedy struck our family, and our oldest son, Josh, passed away. This devastated our family, and it was next to impossible to navigate the best way to move forward and experience joy again, for Sam’s sake. If that wasn’t enough, COVID showed up. An understatement would be to say it was a challenging time for us. Grief is not a straight line, and we all have our way of dealing with pain. As a family of three now, we have come together and supported each other, understanding that we each have our own path. One by one, we decided that it was time to live our lives while remembering our beloved Josh.

Remembering Josh with diving

Doug was the first to take a step forward and asked us to attend another Kids Sea Camp. This resonated with us because it was when our family last had a joyful time with our son, Josh. It would feel good to get back in the water again and experience that quiet, healing peace of the sea we all longed for.

Doug and I wanted to continue diving and hoped Sam would enjoy being our buddy. We agreed on St. Lucia Kids Sea Camp, where we met Margo and Tom. I was still deep in grief while Sam was 12. And was hesitant to dive after everything that we had been through. Margo paired him up one-on-one with a very nurturing Kids Sea Camp instructor. We relaxed, watched, and let the Kids Sea Camp magic unfold. Before we knew it, Sam was in the water (with me tagging along) on fabulous dives where he seemed to enjoy every minute. Doug and I enjoyed diving with Sam and his instructor throughout the trip. We have continued to go on more family dive trips with Kids Sea Camp, and we always dive with Sam whenever we want.

Kids Sea Camp kindness

As you can imagine, we had some difficulties throughout this time in our lives. But the KSC staff was always ready and willing to allow us the private space we needed whenever we needed it. Sometimes that meant not diving and doing other things together as a family; sometimes it meant diving with Sam on the kids’ boat and taking additional courses to learn more about diving. Nothing was ever forced on us; we were encouraged to go at our own pace, march to our drum, and do what we wanted when we wanted. (See our new Catalog)

Over the next few years, we became ready to live and experience more, so we decided to try Fiji. Margo told us about the world heritage sites and the amazing diversity in diving there. They shared the spiritual beliefs, nurturing behavior, and personality traits of Fijian culture. The thought of the music, beauty, and peace that Fiji could bring to our family convinced us to go. I loved the vibrant reefs and fabulous topside views. I had also begun to work in a fulfilling job back home, assisting homeless veterans; that, along with the support of my family, allowed me to progress in my grief journey. Diving is my peace, and I could do it every day. I love to think and daydream while seeing the underwater world. I am grateful for KSC and the world of destinations they offer.

Sam took longer to process our tragedy.

Sam was very young when we lost Josh, and losing your brother is a difficult and unique journey to work through. There were many times that Sam chose not to dive and to be in his own space, and that was okay. As much as we wanted him to embrace diving as we did, he needed to make his own decisions. Diving was not to be forced; we gave him the space and time to focus on what was more important to him. Doug and I love diving; it brings us peace and joy. After a few years, we decided to go on a trip with Tom and Margo without our son. He was now old enough to stay home. Sam took a week to decompress from his demanding school schedule, while Mom and Dad had a fabulous week diving in Little Cayman. That was one of the hardest things to do, and we missed him every day; however, it was healing for all 3 of us.

This past year, Sam decided to join us in Belize and enjoyed diving with the other teens and us. It was fantastic to see him enjoying diving again. I hope he will develop a love of diving that rivals mine, and we will keep offering him the opportunity to dive and travel with us. He needs to find his passion. Doug and I love traveling and diving with Kids Sea Camp and the staff. What this company offers to families is personal, unparalleled, and priceless.  Margo, Tom, and Olivia feel like family to us. We have made lifelong friends with too many other divers to mention.

Doug becomes an Instructor

PADI, Tom Peyton, Kids Scuba, family Scuba diveing vacationsDoug and Tom began the journey to become dive masters a year ago in the Philippines, and just recently, in 2024, Doug became a PADI instructor and will, hopefully, as we advance, be a special part of the caring dive team that helped our own family grow and heal.  I will tag along for my peace of mind, and we will buddy up with Sam when his schedule allows.

We will be forever grateful for the last week we shared with our beloved son, Josh. We have so many memories and photos to look back on from that first week and the eight additional trips we’ve been on with Kids Sea Camp. I hope to have many more. We continue to travel this grief journey, but we have KSC for peace, fun, new friendships, and opportunities.

By Jessica Donnell

Scuba diving was definitely not on my list.

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Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving, empty nester travelers

Kids Sea Camp mom learns to dive at age 61 and logs 90 dives in 6 countries in two years

By Betsy Meade

Scuba Diving, no way! My husband, Doug, and I recently retired after raising our four children. We both enjoy traveling, so we started to think about what the next stage of our lives together should look like. Doug is an active sportsperson who loves adventure, biking, and scuba diving. My travel habits favor sightseeing, beaches, and relaxing. I am willing to try new things, but scuba diving was not on my list.

I am not fond of swimming in the ocean at all. As a child, I was content to sit in the sun and play in the sand. As an adult, I occasionally ventured out into the waves, but I feared all the “creatures” I suspected would be waiting to torment me. On several trips, I attempted to snorkel but never quite got the hang of blowing water out of the snorkel and keeping water out of my mask. As an adult, I was still not interested in encountering any sea life. Scuba diving was not on my list of things to do.

Doug, on the other hand, has been scuba diving for over fifteen years. I spent many vacations happily sitting on beaches, while he scuba-dived during the day. He returned with great stories and pictures of his dives, and I was entertained by learning about his time underwater. Doug enjoyed diving but had mixed emotions, always leaving our family and me behind while on vacation. He often suggested that we get certified and join him, but I didn’t think the kids could do that. I certainly had no interest. So we remained content sitting on the beach until now.

I believed I could not enjoy scuba diving for many reasons; I am claustrophobic, and being underwater would scare me. My fear of not having immediate access to fresh air, and could not wrap my head around the idea that all I needed would be provided in a small metal capsule on my back. I was not a strong swimmer, so I thought currents and waves could be a problem, and the most significant piece of the pie was that I am afraid of sharks, fish, eels, or anything else that moves, stings, or bites.

My mentor, Margo Peyton

Margo Peyton, my neighbor and close friend, is the founder and owner of Kids Sea Camp. Mrs. Peyton would talk to me with so much passion, understanding, and determination about diving. Her beautiful pictures helped me debunk all my fears with her knowledge and experience. And she explained that having well-fitting, comfortable dive gear can make a huge difference in comfort, confidence, and the overall diving experience. She gave me a soft Scubapro mask called a Synergy TrueFit, sized just right for my small face.

Even the mask strap was necessary. She added a sports band that ensured the mask was easy to slip on, remove, and adjust—even underwater. She provided me with a smaller mouthpiece that was more comfortable. Then she outfitted me with comfortable, longer fins that prevented leg cramps and let me move through the water with scuba gear. I had no idea what a difference a fin could make. I was provided a comfy two-piece wetsuit that was easy to get in and out of, stylish, kept me warm, and protected me from stings and sunburn. The BCD was the key to my ultimate comfort. The fit was perfect and easy to use, and it supported my back as needed in the water. Having dependable, comfortable equipment I learned to use gave me so much confidence while I was scuba diving.

Facing my scuba fears

I booked my PADI Open Water class for July 2023 in Roatan, Honduras. I was still terrified of marine life when I arrived in Roatan. The night before my first class, I had tried to convince myself that scuba diving was not for me; all my troublesome thoughts, concerns, and excuses came rushing back. I didn’t want to disappoint Doug or Margo, so I got into the pool. It was my first class. Margo personally hand-picked my dive instructor to fit my needs and fears. I had the most patient, kind, and just wonderful instructor, Kiley Thueson, she was perfect for me.

Some skills were more challenging than others, but Kiley was patient, and I completed the requirements of my confined-water dives. I was excited but extremely nervous for my first open-water dive, as I would see fish. I took a giant stride into the ocean.

There was so much to think about—equalizing my ears, not holding my breath, monitoring my air, the dreaded mask removal skill, and swimming with fish. As I descended, the beauty of the corals and the blue hues of the ocean water amazed and calmed me. I was not afraid of those fish! They also seemed entirely uninterested in me.

Upon completing my first day of scuba diving, I was so proud of myself and started looking forward to the next day. However, after dinner, doubt and fear crept in again. I had to keep reminding myself, “I can do this!” Each day, I again forced myself to return to my class, determined to succeed and overcome more of my fears.

It took three days to become a PADI-certified open-water scuba diver at age 61. I was proud of myself for pushing through and enjoyed diving with Kiley and Doug for the rest of the trip. I enjoyed diving so much that five months later, we called Family Dive Adventures and went back to Roatan, this time to complete my Advanced Open Water certification with another Kids Sea Camp Instructor whom Margo hand-picked, Peter Kockisch. He is from Germany and worked with me on buoyancy, weight placement, fish identification, boat diving, navigation, and a deep dive.

Doug, my diving buddy

Then Doug and I went to St. Eustatius, and after that, we felt prepared for Indonesia. So we went to Lembeh Resort in Indonesia and then to Komodo aboard the Arenui with Margo and Tom. Again, we had private guides and learned so much. We did our first muck dives in Lembeh. Doug and I had to practice keeping our fins up, not stirring up the bottom, and destroying all visibility. And there certainly was a lot to see! We both started taking photos and having fun. In Komodo, we saw dragons on land and had private dives with whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, and even some reef sharks. Going on a few night dives required me to overcome a few more fears. Again, with proper equipment and planning, these were fun, too.

How’s that for overcoming fears? I am so very proud of myself. Doug and I are really enjoying this big blue new world we are exploring together. After Komodo, we went to Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia, dove wrecks, and learned to drift dive. Next, we are taking our daughter to Belize with Family Dive Adventures this spring to Blackbird Caye. I’m very excited for our daughter and looking forward to more new experiences, and I now love scuba diving.

Structure and attention to detail—particularly safety—are most important on Margo and Tom’s trips. This was a huge part of my success. Being part of that group and realizing that the instruction specifically addressed many of my concerns played a considerable role in building my comfort, confidence, and enjoyment of diving. Margo uses the same philosophy with her children’s programs.

Becoming certified scuba divers has changed our lives in so many ways. Doug and I explore the underwater world together as buddies. We have fun, travel, and meet new people.

Constantly blowing bubbles — now.

Experiencing this new world with my eyes was much better than looking at Doug’s pictures and listening to his stories. In the past year, I logged 90 dives in 6 countries and experienced a wide variety of sea life, including endless types of corals, sponges, and critters.

I am obsessed with diving now. With every dive, I am becoming a better, more confident diver. With each trip and each new experience, I learn more and overcome more fears. Having Doug as my dive buddy gives me more confidence because he always has my back.

Our calendars for 2025 and 2026 are already filling up with more Kids Sea Camp / Family Dive Adventure trips. We are off to Belize with Tom and Margo in the spring and then getting excited to be back on the Arenui with their Forgotten Islands Trip. While we regret missing out on 15 years of diving together, the last year has been so much fun, and we plan to continue to create new memories on future trips with Margo and Tom. In addition, we look forward to introducing our children and grandchildren to scuba diving with Kids Sea Camp.

I am so grateful to Margo for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. I never thought that at age 61, I could learn to scuba dive or that I would enjoy it so much.

Worlds Best Family Dive Adventure Vacations

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Peyton family, Kids Sea Camp, diving with Kids, diving with family

Kids Sea Camp an award-winning company

Margo Peyton created this multi-award-winning family adventure travel program, which has contributed to well over 8,100 kids’ and adults’ PADI scuba diving certifications. (see link)

Kids Sea Camp’s (KSC) motto is “Give them a week they will remember forever.” Based on the hundreds of testimonials from kids, teens, and parents who have participated in Kids Sea Camp trips. The company has created dive vacations that are memorable and magical: “Kids Sea Camp has changed my life, and I know it has done the same for others.”

“KSC holds a special place in my heart. It was my true catapult into the diving world.”

“The Kids Sea Camp team went out of their way to create memorable moments that will most certainly last a lifetime.”

Tom & Margo are great owners

Tom Peyton and Margo Peyton have hand-chosen PADI resorts and liveaboards in the Cayman Islands, Indonesia, Bonaire, Roatan, Galapagos, Red Sea, The Philippines, Fiji, Palau, Yap, St. Lucia, Dominica, Belize, Indonesia, Maldives, and more, to host their trips, while ensuring the highest level of standards and safety. Over the past 25 years, KSC has certified over 8,100 divers and has not had a single dive accident.

Staffed by highly qualified professionals. KSC is dedicated to introducing scuba diving, family vacations, and the ocean to kids, teenagers, and their parents. Depending on their age and experience, kids work on various certifications and skills, from snorkeling and SASY to Bubblemaker, SEAL Team, Junior Open Water, Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and PADI specialty and pro certifications.

KSC scuba-diving family vacations include unique activities at each destination. The program includes meals, diving, and other water and land activities such as blow-karting, jungle biking, paddle boarding, culinary classes, cultural presentations, marine presentations, and photography. Like-minded multigenerational families migrate every summer from around the globe to Kids Sea Camp Family dive vacations. These families enjoy making new friends, unplugging from everyday life, and reconnecting with each other.

A KSC dive vacation is the perfect adventure for families who love the ocean and enjoy meeting like-minded people worldwide.

Hassle-Free Trip Planning

Let Family Dive Adventures handle the logistics for your private group or family vacation. They will custom-design the vacation to meet your specific needs and trip type. The trips can include reunions, family holiday celebrations, and memorable romantic dive getaways. (See our KSC events)

The Kids Are Gone—Now What?

Have your kids flown the coop? Why not try an “Empty Nester Travel” vacation? In 2019, Margo and Tom Peyton started living their dreams out loud and put together these thrilling adult group trips. They offer high-end luxury at sumptuous resorts and luxurious liveaboards, like the Arenui. Margo and Tom take adult guests to Africa, Egypt, the Red Sea, Lembeh, Raja Ampat, the Forgotten Islands, Borneo, Komodo, Manado, Bangka, St. Eustatius, Belize, and many more advanced adult trips that tempt their travel palette. 

Contact Info: (803) 419-2556, familydivers.com, dive@familydivers.com

2024 International Scuba Diving Hall Of Fame Award. Margo Peyton (See link) will be inducted into the ISDH this September. The award is for her contributions to the future of diving through the education and dive training of over 8,100 youth divers. And for Margo’s continued commitment to safety for kids and their families.

Top 10 wreck dives safe to explore with kids

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wrecks, Kids Sea Camp, scuba and kids, wreck diving

Favorite wreck dives to dive with kids at Kids Sea Camp

One type of diving that consistently sparks their curiosity and excitement is wreck diving. As a PADI instructor and scuba mom, I’ve enjoyed exploring countless underwater wonders with my kids. The allure of mystery, the thrill of discovery, and the chance to explore history firsthand make wreck diving an unforgettable family adventure.

Be prepared to dive a wreck

While wreck diving might seem intimidating at first, there are many safe and accessible wrecks worldwide that are perfect for introducing kids to this fascinating aspect of scuba diving. Respecting your children’s dive limitations, profile mandates, and comfort levels is crucial. Remember, trained and experienced wreck divers should only attempt to penetrate wrecks.

Here are the top five

They range from 35′ to 90′ in depth, are relatively easy to navigate, and are situated on sandy bottoms or near shallow reefs near the shore.

1. Grand Cayman Kittiwake (Grand Cayman): This 251-foot former submarine rescue vessel rests in calm, clear water. The ship’s wheel and guns make for fantastic photo ops!

  • Operator: Divetech
  • Depth: 60ft max, deck at 25ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 12+
  • Highlights: Snorkeling and diving, abundant marine life (groupers, eagle rays, turtles, garden eels, stingrays).

2. La Machaca (Bonaire): This small fishing vessel is just 90 feet from shore and teems with life. Ideal for beginners aged 10+, this shallow wreck is bursting with corals, sponges, fish, and turtles.

  • Operator: Kids Sea Camp  Buddy Dive Resort
  • Depth: 30ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 10+
  • Highlights: Ideal for first-time wreck divers, teeming with marine life (brain corals, sponges, grouper, tarpon, eels, turtles, schooling fish).

3. Jake’s Seaplane (Palau): This WWII reconnaissance plane sits in 30 feet of water. Kids 10+ will love posing for photos with this fascinating piece of history.

  • Operator: Sam’s Tours
  • Depth: 30ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 10+
  • Highlights: Fun for photo ops, perfect for afternoon or dusk dives.

4. Captain Keith Tibbetts (Cayman Brac): A 330-foot Russian frigate transformed into an artificial reef. Explore this coral-encrusted home to groupers, scorpionfish, and eels

  • Operator: Cayman Brac Beach Resort with Reef Divers
  • Depth: 30-100ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 12+
  • Highlights: Coral-crusted Russian frigate, abundant marine life (groupers, scorpionfish, moray eels), easy to navigate.

5. Lesleen M (St. Lucia): This picturesque 165-foot cargo vessel in 60 feet of water is a haven for marine life. Kids 12+ can marvel at the colorful corals and sponges while spotting tuna, turtles, and lobster.

  • Operator: Kids Sea Camp, Anse Chastane,t and Scuba St. Lucia
  • Depth: 60ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 12+
  • Highlights: This picturesque wreck is teeming with marine life (fish, tuna, turtles, lobster, macro life, colorful sponges, and soft corals).

The 6/7 is a kid thing

6. Vicky B (St. Lucia): A massive 286-foot cargo ship perfect for advanced divers 15+. Explore the open hull and encounter turtles, rays, and a variety of fish.

  • Operator: Anse Chastanet and Scuba St. Lucia
  • Depth: 70ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 15+ with Advanced Open Water certification
  • Highlights: Immense wreck with a large open hull and forklift, perfect for experienced divers.

7. Roatan Odyssey: Mayan Divers and Subway provide guided dives and training for families here. The Odyssey is indeed A deeper wreck at 110 feet under the surface off Roatan’s shore. At 300 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 85 feet tall, this freighter is Roatan’s largest wreck dive and one of the largest in the Caribbean. I was intentionally sunk for divers in 2002.

This wreck is for kids age 15 or older, preferably with advanced open water certification, with a maximum depth of 120′.  I like to keep them between 70′ and 80′, considering this wreck is 85ft tall, so there is so much to see far above the bottom. 

It’s a spectacular wreck to dive into and shoot. I prefer to circle outside and enjoy the many big grouper, reef sharks, rays, and schooling fish for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Then, I head to the shallow reef for another 30 minutes to enjoy the midnight Parotfish and more interactions with the black grouper. The kids have found a frogfish and a seahorse on this wreck two years in a row.

  • Operator: Mayan Divers or Subway
  • Depth: 110ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 15+ with Advanced Open Water certification
  • Highlights: Roatan’s largest wreck, abundant marine life (grouper, reef sharks, rays, schooling fish).

The best of the wrecks

8. El Aguila (Roatan): This 110-foot freighter was purchased and is owned by AKR and was sunk in 1997 to create an artificial reef. Hurricane Mitch tore her apart, and she currently rests in 3 separate pieces between 60′ and 104′.  She has a plethora of macro life around her top deck. I have found baby boxfish, seahorses, frogfish, juvenile trumpet fish, and eels. The bow is a perfect place to pose for family photos and see the large grouper.

These two wrecks are recommended for families with kids aged 15+ and for AOW-certified divers. Being more mindful of depth, time, and currents is essential. I’ve been taking families diving on these two wrecks for the past 7 years with Mayan Princess and Turquoise Bay. The big turtles, rays, grouper, and schooling fish are so much fun to experience with kids on days with perfect conditions and expert guides. Penetration is only for trained and experienced wreck divers.

  • Operator: Kids Sea Camp, Subway Divers, and Mayan Divers
  • Depth: 60-104ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 15+ with Advanced Open Water certification
  • Highlights: Three separate sections to explore abundant macro life (baby boxfish, seahorses, frogfish, juvenile trumpetfish, eels).

9. Hilma Hooker (Bonaire): The Hilma Hooker is a very famous wreck. This wreck was once a cargo ship, used for drug smuggling, and it was sunk just a 5 min swim offshore. The Hooker sits at a max depth of 80’ on her side. Her hull rises to just above 60 ft at her shallowest point. She is 236 ft long and fully intact. She sank during her passage from Holland in 1984. Local dive operators made the wreck safe for recreational divers.

The water around the hooker is generally crystal clear and easy to navigate. Kids age 12+ with a Jr. Advanced or Advanced diver certification can easily dive into this wreck, staying between 60’ and 70’ft. They can enjoy schools with large tarpon, Barracuda, eagle rays, turtles, and green moray eels. There are several species of shrimps and seahorses around her hull.   Kids aged 15 or older can explore their exterior more thoroughly. Penetration is only for trained and experienced wreck divers.

  • Operator: Buddy Dive Operation
  • Depth: 80ft max, hull rises to 60ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 12+ with Jr. Advanced or Advanced Open Water certification
  • Highlights: The famous drug-smuggling cargo ship and abundant marine life (tarpon, barracuda, eagle rays, turtles, and green moray eels).

10. Belize: Blackbird Caye: The Witconcrete Wreck: Once a sugar transport ship built around 1942, it is now Belize’s first artificial reef. The Wit is one of the largest wreck dives in the Caribbean. She was sunk on an Oasis dive site just 1 minute east of the Blackbird Caye Resort in the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve. The Wit is 375’ long, 56′ wide, and 38′ high; the minimum depth is 50′. The Wit was moved from the US Virgin Islands after 35 years. She was transferred to Belize and moved in May of 2021. 

  • Operator: Blackbird Caye Resort
  • Depth: 50ft minimum
  • Suitable for: Ages 12+ with Jr. Advanced or Advanced Open Water certification
  • Highlights: It is one of the largest wreck dives in the Caribbean and offers abundant marine life (fish, turtles, sharks).

Important Note:

Wreck penetration should only be attempted by trained and experienced certified wreck divers. I hope this list inspires your family’s next underwater adventure! Each dive operator, including Kids Sea Camp, offers the PADI Wreck Diver specialty course for those 15 and older, a fantastic way to learn safe and responsible wreck diving techniques.

Remember to always check conditions like current and visibility before diving, and teach your kids about the wreck’s history and marine life. With proper planning and guidance, wreck diving can be a safe and enriching experience for the whole family.

Additional Tips for Wreck Diving with Kids

  • Choose a suitable wreck: Before diving with your kids, consider the depth, complexity, and marine life of the wreck.
  • Prepare your kids: Dive with a trained professional when diving wrecks. To be better prepared, take the PADI wreck diving course with your kids ages 15 or older. This course will teach you about wreck diving safety and etiquette. 
  • Dive with a reputable operator: Choose one with experience diving with kids and a strong safety record. 
  • Have fun! Wreck diving is a fantastic adventure that can create lasting memories for the whole family.

By Margo Peyton (See link)

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.

Creating a Coral Restoration Project

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Coral Rescue, Bonaire, Kids sea Camp

Some ideas for creating a coral restoration project this summer include:

  1. Identify a suitable site for coral restoration. The site should have good water quality, access to sunlight, and a variety of coral species.
  2. Collect coral fragments from healthy reefs. Divers can do this by using specialized equipment.
  3. Establish a coral nursery. The nursery should be located in a safe place where the coral fragments can grow and develop.
  4. Outplant the coral fragments on the reef. This should be done at the right time of year and in the right way to ensure the coral’s survival.
  5. Monitor the coral fragments and provide care as needed. This may include removing algae, predators, and other threats.

The current health of coral reefs worldwide is poor. Overfishing, pollution, and climate change are all major threats to coral reefs. As a result, many coral reefs are bleaching or in decline. Coral restoration is an important way to help protect coral reefs and the marine life that depends on them.

Example plan to get your coral rescue off the ground

  1. Identify the stakeholders. The first step is to identify all of the stakeholders who would be interested in or benefit from a coral restoration project. 
  2. Conduct research. Once you have identified the stakeholders, conduct research to understand the current state of coral reefs. 
  3. Develop a plan. Including a clear goal, a timeline, a budget, and a list of actions and how and when they will be carried out and monitored.
  4. Secure funding. You will need to secure funding to implement it. This funding can come from a variety of sources, such as government grants, private donations, corporate sponsorships, and social media.
  5. Implement the plan. Once you have secured funding, you can begin implementing the plan. This will involve carrying out the activities outlined in your proposed plan.
  6. Monitor the results. Monitoring the results of your coral restoration project to ensure that it is effective.
  7. Educate the public. It is also important to educate the public about the importance of coral reefs and the need for coral restoration. 

The current health of coral reefs worldwide is poor and in decline. Overfishing, Plastics and pollution, steroids and hormones entering marine environments through septic systems and farms, oil spills, storm damage, and climate change are all factors impacting the world’s coral reefs. Everyone can do something. Even if we choose one thing, anyone can make a difference.

For more information on monitoring the health of reefs around the world, International Coral Reef Initiative. The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is a global partnership of nations and organizations that strives to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems worldwide.

KSC by the numbers

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13 years and 18 kids sea camps,(KSC) Ago, we arrived in Bonaire with two 5-year-olds.

As we molded them into young men, Margo, Tom, Woody, Josh, Patric, Tina, and many others created scuba divers. At 15, they survived Lars’ Rescue course and, during a pandemic, tackled the currents around the Galápagos.

As our boat pulled away from this dock 13 years ago, we nervously watched our 5-year-olds, with Tina, feeding parrot fish off this dock, and we didn’t know what an incredible gift Margo would give us year after year.

Soon, our SASY divers will go off to college, and again, we turn to Margo and ask, “What do you have planned for us?”

Patti S. Snyder (Hopkins) See story

How to become a Dive Master on a KSC week

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

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

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

Become a Divemaster with us

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

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

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

Our Divemasters

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

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

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

What the PADI Pro training and internships can offer

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

Kind Regards, Margo and the KSC dive team