Kids Sea Camp is one giant family reunion

Kids Sea Camp is a family

After a few trips, our family made friends from all over the world. Now, it’s like attending a big family reunion with people I feel like I’ve always known. The resorts and dive staff make you feel special and offer jaw-dropping experiences. 

Without the experience of traveling around the Kids Sea Camp (KSC) world over the last 5 years, I simply would not be the same person. Seeing the world through diving has taken me far beyond what I would learn in my own school or community. It has given me more life skills, introduced me to new places and different cultures, and allowed me to learn about the world above and below 1st hand. (The online catalog)

Our first few trips

My first trips were to Bonaire, Roatan, and Utila. They were a blur of blow-karting, zip-lining, zombies, and wild dolphins. Even though I was young then, I participated in so many amazing activities and made friends I still dive with today, like Kai Hunsicker and Max Lavinsky. (Our calendar of events)

When I was 9, my mom signed me up for the KSC PADI Seal Team program. She was worried the dive gear wouldn’t fit me because I was so little. KSC owner Margo Peyton told Mom she had plenty of small tanks and BCs available for all kids my size. I loved every minute underwater, experiencing zero gravity. I liked listening to the sounds of fish munching on the reef. The training course is on every KSC trip, so I can become a better diver. As of today, I have completed my PADI JOW and AOW courses and became a PADI Jr. Rescue Diver at Buddy Dive in Bonaire. I completed my Master Diver Certification in the Philippines with Sea Explorers last summer. Next year I turn 15, and I’m excited about taking my PADI Jr. Dive Master course in Dominica.  

I am grateful for my Kids Sea Camp family

I have to say, I am very grateful that my parents, who are long-time scuba divers, wanted to keep diving and include me. We make KSC our annual family vacation. KSC is definitely not just for kids! 

Sometimes, I think my parents (Beth and John Burkhard) have more fun than anyone. Margo and Tom Peyton (my aunt and uncle in this giant family) strive to make each vacation personal and focus on family fun for everyone. They even gave my parents and Kai’s parents some extra privacy on our trip to the Philippines, which meant Kai and I got our own room. It was awesome!  

Tom usually sets up all the sporting activities on trips, like volleyball, soccer, and football, and he gets everyone going with basketball, too. He and Woody like to host Karaoke or ocean trivia after dinner.

Chasing critters with Tom

Tom is one of the best underwater guides ever. You will always see crazy little critters while following him around the reef. The big stuff, I’m better at finding, like the Giant Manta I spotted in Dauin and then in Oslob, I did a giant stride off the front of the Banka boat and landed right in front of 2 big whale sharks. Seeing whale sharks that close was a jaw-dropping experience! In case you can’t tell, the Philippines trip was my favorite KSC trip.

Some of the really important things I have learned include equalizing my ears. Margo took the time to show me multiple ways to do that. She taught me to slow down, descend, and dive at my own pace. Tom says, “When you dive slowly as he does, you will see so many more critters.” 

Becoming a rescue diver

In my rescue course, I learned the importance of dive planning and being a prepared, observant diver. I have learned how to avoid and solve potential problems. The KSC instructors make learning fun by applying the theory to everyday scenarios. There is always a speaker or a presentation during our trip. My favorite talk was about ocean trash because I learned the impact of plastic and pollution and how bad it really is. Woody had us all do a beach cleanup for plastic as part of the Zombie Apocalypse diver program. 

The trips also include local cultural activities, such as cooking, dancing, or visits to a village or school. We bring sneakers and school supplies for the local kids. That was one of the highlights for me because I got to help other kids and learn how kids in other countries live. We learn about their history, culture, and language, and that really inspires me. 

Humbling experience in the Philippines

At the Mountain School in the Philippines, their dances told us a story of their life. The respect they have for their elders and the pride shown in their family and schools made me appreciate all the more what my school and family provide for me. I have met so many foreign people who are so humble and grateful to meet me. They are all so happy, despite having so little compared to what I have in the US. I don’t look at my life the same since I started traveling around the world with my family.

A new chapter in our lives as parents. Morgan is now 19, and we are off to the Galapagos in 2025 without him joining us this time. His diving career has taken a right turn to a driving career!

Who is Morgan Burkhard?

• Indianapolis, IN (December 14, 2024) 
• Morgan Burkhard, one of motorsport’s brightest emerging talents, has officially signed a three-year contract with Czabok-Simpson Motorsport (CSM) to drive the Porsche Cayman Clubsport GT4 RS in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. 
• The 19-year-old driver has already made a name for himself with an impressive rookie campaign in the TCR class, piloting the Hyundai Elantra N for VGRT in 2024. CSM is committing to both developing and showcasing Burkhard’s immense potential on one of motorsport’s most competitive stages. CSM Co-Owner Stephen Simpson expressed his enthusiasm for the addition of Burkhard to their team:

“Morgan embodies the qualities we value most in a driver—raw talent, unrelenting drive, and a level of maturity that exceeds his years. He’s already proven himself capable of competing with the best, and we believe this is just the beginning of what he can achieve. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the CSM family and look forward to building something special together.”

He remains grounded and deeply appreciative. “To have this opportunity at 19 years old, and so early in my career, is truly a dream come true,” said Burkhard. “Driving a Porsche in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is something I’ve dreamed of since I first watched the 24 Hours of Daytona as a kid. Now, being part of a program with Czabok-Simpson Motorsport—a team that shares my passion for excellence and competition—feels surreal. 

My KSC giant family holds a very special place in my heart. They have supported me, taught me so much, and given me the world to love. 

Morgan Burkhard and Beth Burkhard