​“Our only option for getting our kids certified to scuba dive was in the dark, kelp-filled, cold water​.”
​Michael and I, both raised in scuba-diving families, could not wait until our son, Trey, and daughter, Hutton, turned 12 so we could get ​them both SCUBA certified. We didn’t realize that the certification for Junior Open Water ​with PADI had changed to age 10!
​Michael and I went to our local Dive Shop in Hermosa Beach, CA, and our son, Trey, quickly completed the e-learning, confined, and pool work. All that was left were the ​four open-water dives. Now let me explain: it would ​have to be ​done off the coast of Palos Verdes, CA, in January – in dark, kelp-filled, cold water. ​(This is not the definition of kid-friendly, and not the perfect place to learn to dive.) While Trey was very comfortable in the ocean and a strong swimmer, he would also have to wear a thick 7 mm wetsuit, a hood, booties , and a great deal of lead weight. Well, ​he was not having ​any of it! We knew right away that this wouldn’t be the ​place for either child to learn to dive. The search for our family’s dive vacation began.
We found Kids Sea Camp
Not giving up, we decided to look into group scuba trips to help us navigate and find kid-friendly dive sites around the world that would provide a safe, comfortable, and fun option for our kids to complete Jr. open water certificationsfor ​our kids.
That’s when we found Kids Sea Camp! It was exactly what we needed. A group of top scuba instructors arranged trips for ​families who wanted to explore the ​underwater world together. As a bonus, they were focused on families and ​offered incredible youth dive training programs and continued environmental education for all. Done. Is Kids Sea Camp the perfect place?
Kids Sea Camp has exceeded all our expectations. Both of our kids ​have been successfully certified​ at Kids Sea Camp, and we have  been on two one-week-long dive trips ​to Little Cayman​ (Little Cayman Beach Resort and St. Lucia​ at Anse Chastanet Resort)Â
With each trip, we all become more confident and comfortable. Our family loves the balance that these trips give us as well. We get to have quality family time together, hours of diving, great meals, getting to know other families, and stolen private moments alone. ​Margo and Tom provide professional photographers throughout the week to capture each memorable moment of our family diving and the kids’ newfound friends.
Little Kids and Big Kids are everywhere
Scattered throughout the week, everyone (both big and small, young and old – like Tom, haha) has the option to enjoy activities such as jungle biking,​ sunset cruises, chocolate tasting, paddle boarding, treasure hunts,  hiking, volleyball (a family favorite!), karaoke (start practicing your song now!), various​ culinary delights and art classes.​
There is time together and time for making new friends with other like-minded families. We are so happy that our kids love diving, and as a family. The family can unplug and reconnect by exploring the underwater world together.Â
We cannot recommend Kids Sea Camp enough! It’s one of those perfect vacation gems you almost don’t want to share with others lest they take your spot! But no, all jokes aside, we were always blown away when speaking with other KSC guests regarding how many years they have been diving with Margo and Tom. Some have been with KSC for more than five years! And I know we, too, will be among them. Now we have to agree upon the next perfect place for our family!
Thank you for all the memories (and incredible photography!) Margo, Tom, and the entire Kids Sea Camp crew!
Much love, The Morris Family (Kati, Michael, Trey, and Hutton​)
By Kati Haack Morris, KSC mom