Bonaire Poems
Poems from the Kids Sea Camp weeks at Buddy Dive Resort
2017
Poems from the Kids Sea Camp weeks at Buddy Dive Resort on the island of Bonaire. Kids Sea Camp always has a poetry presentation on Friday on the closing celebration.
By Burkhard family
Five times to Bonaire we have been.
Yet much still remains to be seen
What critters will make an appearance?
Same place, new experience,
Too bad home isn’t quite this marine.
It’s great to be back in Bonaire,
Where the weather’s beyond compare,
except when it rained
My parents, quite strained
without wetsuits, they were diving quite bare.
Jimmy was my instructor this week.
Where Duncan and I worked on technique,
We’d go into the waters,
And play like two others
Poor Jimmy put up without check.
The nursery trees needed cleaning,
So my folks were closely competing.
80 minutes really?
That’s awfully silly!
But that tree really was tonight and gleaming.
So many new friends we have found,
with stories that truly astound.
We really feel blessed,
They’re surely be missed.
We hope that we see them around.
An Ode’ to the Jellyfish
By David and David’s brother
The night, so full of beauty,
and uncommon sites.
PAIN, so excruciating, beyond belief, thank the Lord of bubbles.
To rescue, comes the Hero of the night, her Vinegar, so sweat.
Dear Lars, he cares, but he aged 10 years.
Mean nurse, and feral cats, on the way to wellness.
Needed comic relief . . . toffee banana mix.
With Woody and the sandwich maker, there would be no dessert this day.
For now, we have tattoos, this will prove that night forever.
By Unknown author
Here we are at Buddy Dive
Kids Sea Camp is like a beehive.
Kids buzzing around instructors flowers,
getting nurtured for hours and hours,
with the sweet nectar of diving fun,
and skills under Bonaire sun.
T’was the night before Bonaire
By Blakey family
T’was the night before Bonaire,
energy in the house was high people scrambling to find staff needed to dive
Piles of equipment strew about with care,
But the excitement was high because we’d soon be there.
The Blakeys came to Bonaire,
drawn like Jellyfish to light,
To see old friends and enjoy scuba delight.
On the way to Bonaire Lilly’s car was highjacked,
But we’d need a whole poem to tell about that.
Lilly came to Bonaire to learn to instruct,
Stuart learned to rescue in case instruct was about.
Lilly’s course was intense, so she chose to fuel up,
A bag of sour patch kids, Twizzlers, and smarties a must.
Now Lillia, Jenny, Zuella (with 3L’s) and Josh came to learn to instruct,
They all passed with honors — all skill, no luck.
This camp has two drivers — Margo and Tom,
With love and devotion Kids Sea Camp travels on.
Parents got some rest
By Chapman family
We came to Bonaire to swim, dive and enjoy the sun,
and along the way, we had a little fun.
Kids Sea Camp is the best of the best,
and from 8:30 to 3:30,
the parents got some “rest.”
The resort, the food, and the divemasters were on par;
and we will admit that we enjoyed the cocktails at the bar.
The kids liked the ice cream tasting like vanilla;
and you will definitely see the Chapman’s in Manilla!
Messy hair
By Kim and Danny
Messy hair in Bonaire, nobody gives a care.
Dive in the morning or night, Anytime you want is alright.
A treasure hunt for fish, nobody’s seen just yet.
Who’ll find it first? You’re my first bet.
No touching, kissing or hugging, great reef friends.
Unless its wacky Wednesday and a stonefish befriend.
Family and friends join to meet,
For night dives and shores dives at Buddy’s Reef.
Kids Sea Camp, A whole lot of fun.
Just listen to Tom and the song he’s sung.
Margo’s got an eye for the perfect shot,
Smile for the camera, give it all you’ve got!
New friends made, old rekindled.
Kids Sea Camp, most magical!
The reef with no name
By Jake Snyder
To the fabulous instructors of Sasy,
The best of all the Lassies.
I’ll miss you, Toni, without Julia I’ll be lonely.
And Flavia is oh so classy!
To the beautiful island of Klein,
sp special I wish you were mine.
The reef with No Name.
Is a name, oh so lame.
Change to Jake’s Reef — it’s so fine.
Let’s jump in!
By Myler Skler
Scuba tanks, regulator, sunset waves
squid are nice and they behave.
Dolphins, tarpon, scuba fins, turtles, flounder
LET’S JUMP IN!
Discover Scuba
By Levinsky family
In Bonaire we discovered scuba diving,
and it seems to be better than rock climbing,
The day we arrived the dolphins put on a show.
When we came to the donkey park,
the foolish donkeys were harassing us.
The buddy Dive staff team gave us lots of ice cream.
Soon are vacation will end,
But I will never forget Kids Sea Camp.
Facing Fear
2014
Get up, everybody and dive.
Oh, how fine is thy.
as the sergeant major leads the band.
2011
Learning to Dive
By Steve Swanson
To always keep us safe, we have to have the tools
We learn the names, we learn the terms, we all must learn the rules
Not just words to memorize, but procedures we must know
Then we take the giant stride to see the realm below
Descend into the ocean, a new world to be seen
Aliens right here on earth majestic & serene
We can fly with proper weights & air in our BC’s
Protect yourself, protect the reef & you can dive with ease
Then we take flight & we soar, above the canyons far below
And we begin to feel the freedom that the birds already know
The world is ours but to behold, we never touch a thing
The reason is to not harm, but it could bite or sting
Then as we get ready to ascend back from the depth
The safety stops at the top & never hold your breath
Once above the fantasy & all is said & done
We have learned to dive quite safely, but most of all we’ve learned it’s fun!
By unknown author
Wow! This is our 6th Kids Sea Camp, the third in Bonaire,
So with all this experience I felt I should share
With all of the families who are new this year
That they should relax, there is nothing to fear.
All the hard work has already been done.
by Margo who wants our kids to be safe and have fun.
The dive shops, the rooms, the staff and the foods
Have been carefully checked to keep us in good moods.
Just let your kids learn, dive, swim, and play,
And enjoy the great place that we get to stay.
Be warned, that the kids develop bonds that are strong
And they will keep in touch even after they’re gone.
This year in November I found it had been decided
By Kids Sea Camp friends who through Facebook & email confided.
The decision was made that they would again meet
The 3rd week of July in the Bonairian heat.
So being the greatest parents alive
We agreed to return to Buddy Dive.
So parents each year be prepared to hear a plea
From your kids who want to go back to the sea.
And see all the new friends they have made
While diving and playing in the sun and shade.
It’s the great friends we have made that make us return again and again,
Thanks to Margo, Tom, Robbie, and Jen
Dr. Seuss’s Ode to Sea Camp
By Andy Hopkins & Family
The sun it did shine, It was too hot to play
So they sat in the house on that hot sweaty day.
Sam sat there with Hunter, They sat there the two,
And they said how I wish I had something to do.
Too hot to go out. Too hot to play ball.
Too hot in Florida to do, Anything at all.
All they could do was to, sit, sit, sit
And they did not like it, Not one little bit.
Then something went “click”, Boy, we were thick!
We looked at each other, our fingers went snap
We looked at each other, our hands they did clap
That’s it!
Margo, you’re a champ, Let’s all go to Kids Sea Camp
Margo looked at us in our Minds-eye bubble
“I gave my advice and you know they’ll be trouble!
I know it is hot and the sun way too sunny
But we can have lots of good fun that is funny
I know some good games. You can play if you wish
And parents you can come dive with the fish”
When are we going, Mommy? When? When? When?
We did it before, Let’s do it again
Sam, Hunter, Let us be
We will try it, you will see
We will try it in Bonaire, We will try it anywhere
In the wind, In the rain, In the dark, with a cane
In a storm, Was that thunder? Nah!
Thumbs down, Let’s dive under
And look at us all, Look at us know
We’ve had so much fun, we’re booked for Palau!
Well at least in our minds, We are ready to go
There’s just one small problem, The greenbacks, the dough!
So now we must wait, Fingers impatiently strumming
Until the next time the boys, Go gleefully running
Down the docks and into the Ocean
We’re here, we’re here, And this is always such fun.
By Unterman Family
We started on the red eye to a destination called Bonaire
Unsure of what we’d find there or how our family would fare
Check in went smoothly & breakfast was divine
We were positively sure that our vacation would go just fine
With Jr open water we had Pepe & Martin at the helm
Mom & Dad on Harbour Lady has Scott & Natalie to show them the ocean realm
We worked on our set of scuba skills our buoyancy did improve
So soon we had the chance to experience the underwater thrills
Oh my what we found beneath the ocean’s surface
Puffers that look like bulldogs, spotted drum’s as cute as pie
Trunkfish, scorpion fish, eels galore & alone seahorse we did spy
Our sunset cruise & jam session ended in our walk off the plank
Family dives & all our fun to Margo & Tom we must thank
Sadly all good thing must end & we say farewell to our Bonaire
Until we meet again we’ll see you all next year
Susan & Mitch
We came from places far & near
And brought our children we hold so dear
They studied & they learned & dove the depths
They laughed & they played & snorkeled the reefs
By the end of the week, they left us in awe
Of what they learned & what they became
Those children we brought from far & near
Have forever been changed by this week at the same
Those children we hold so very very dear
Now need to return-same time next year
By Morgan Tappero
There once was a cat I named Urtle, Who really acted like a turtle,
He ran real slow, So how would you know,
That Urtle wasn’t a turtle.
He learned his P’s & Q’s, And knew how to tie his shoes,
So how would you know, With Urtle so slow
That Urtle wasn’t a turtle, Urtle could jump so high,
He could almost touch the sky, He could be a flying monkey rat,
But who could imagine that? Urtle was a really a cat
Urtle was from Bonaire, He liked to use Conair
Kids Sea Camp was the best, With Urtle at the test
Other than the cats, I also liked the hats
You can’t forget the diving, Or how long it took arriving
Kids Sea Camp was the best, With Urtle at the test
Everything was great, I wasn’t even late
But the thing I liked the most, Was the flying monkey rat,
The Cat
By Tappero family
Diving skills put to the test!
A week so fun, no one wants to rest!
Thanks to Margo, Tom & Fraser (even without Rogest)
Kids Sea Camp Bonaire is simply the best!
The Olson’s (Tom, Gail, & Roger)
So Bonaire we came- Kids Sea Camp at last!
New skills, old friends, each day a blast.
The sea full of wonders- so much to learn
We help each other & have no concerns
Parrotfish, trunkfish, Charley & eels
Spotted drum reef squids, what’s nipping at my heels?
Angelfish, trumpet fish, flounder & chubs
Tube sponge, hermit crabs & gulls stealing grub
Thank –you Margo & Tom for this week to hold
In our hearts, all year-the stories will be told
May we return again; light the dive lamp
As we look forward to another Kids Sea Camp!
By Eliza Sallee
Wake up in the morning at 4:45
I’m shivering uncontrollably, I am still dead tired
Comb my hair; brush my teeth, then I am in a cab
I’m at the airport, in a plane on Delta airlines
One hour later & minutes in Atlanta, in Delta airlines
Watch Diary of a wimpy kid.
4 hours n’ six minutes I’m in Bonaire
I see a parrot fish, an angelfish, a squirrelfish
Some scorpion fish lobsters 2 turtles.
Some puffers, a tiny shark & a tarpon
I got stung by some jellyfish & got hit by fire coral
But when think pasta I begin to think Bonaire with the fish
But most importantly Kids Sea Camp with my Family
By Matt Parker
Take off the adrenaline rushes into you and the force of the plane gives you
To your seat as you leave the airport
As you step of the plane, feel the warm breeze whip through your hair
And drift across your face like a smooth hand
The memories of last year make you smile & happy that you are there
And if you are new, the ocean is blue
And there are lots & lots of things to do
From tubing to donkeys it’s the best
I can tell you now Kids Sea Camp beats the rest
As you arrive at Buddy Dive you think Wow what a fantastic place
The people are nice the diving is great
This is not a place you could hate
So come & relax sit down at the bar
Maybe have a smoothie or 2
This is a place your best friends should come too
As the days roll by slowly, you see many cool creatures
Sea turtles that glide across the ocean so smoothly & gracefully
There’s also barracuda they’re scary, won’t bite if you disturb them
They’ll hurt you without a fight
In Bonaire the assortment of fish is fantastic, from angelfish to parrotfish
You will be able to see everything in the clear warm water
As the days wind down & the week goes on everybody had lots of fun
But then the day comes, the most dreaded day of all. When people say goodbye
And the plane takes off as you remember one of the best dive weeks EVER
By Sciortino Family
On Tuesday the divers on the harbour Belle
Were given another great story to tell
While preparing to dock, some divers were sent
From the bow to the stern, so off they went
During the transition we all appalled
It seems that one diver did not look
And instead of the rail grabbed the boat hook
So into the water went both hook & diver
But I’m happy to report, both are survivors
To avoid embarrassing the diver, I should keep a tight lip
But you have all probably already guessed, it was Skip
By Debra Shannon
Poets we are not but we still give it a try.
We did not come to Kids Sea Camp to stay dry.
We had just re-certified & Scott had never even tried.
We had a week off & wanted to dive.
Brian & I went off on a boat with lots & lots of gear to tote.
Scott went to class & learned to clear his mask.
We were so proud that he gave it a chance.
He learned all his skills & got certified.
We went to his graduation & did a high five.
Day dives & night dives, we saw lots of fish.
There was nothing more for which we would wish.
By the end of the week we were looking like pros.
We will be very sad to go.
We made so many new friends & there is always next year
So I guess we will be back with all of our gear.
Diving In
By Brian Clapp
Two worlds: one above, one below
Separated by what looks to be a clear sheet of glass.
Air: something we humans need to enter the world below.
We take a deep breath, jump in & exhale.
Slowly, we pass through the glass barrier, we sink into wonderment
Everything stands still, & we are welcomed into our other family
No, better! We are welcomed into a school of fish.
The coral waves at us as if to say “hello, how are you? Please look but don’t touch”
And if we are very lucky we are greeted by eel, turtle, ray, & even the elusive shark.
Now it’s time to come back to our other world.
We look up, take a breath, stop for safety, & then slowly
Push through the “ glass” & say “I’m okay, welcome me back!”
Kids Sea Camp Bunch
By MacDonald Family
Here’s a story about a Padi lady, who was bringing up 2 little scuba divers
Both of them smelled like neoprene.. like their mother, the youngest 1 not even old enough to be a Sasy
Here’s the story of a rock n roller, who couldn’t live any further from the sea
He was a grown man from Danville, Illinois, jamming with his band boys, yes he was all alone
Until the one day when the diver met the rocker & they knew it was much more than a hunch
That this group would somehow dive together, that’s how they became the Kids Sea Bunch!
The Kids Sea Bunch, the Kids Sea Bunch, that’s the way they became the Kids Sea Bunch.
By Neal Seltz
When I enter the beautiful sea, and cool water hits warm me
What do I think about, I’ll tell thee, it’s that I really need to pee
If I could ask Neptune, King of the sea, a question to that high exalted potentate
“Exactly where do you pee?” And is a hurricanes sea surge rush, simply your attempt to flush
So when you see me emerge from the sea, holding tank & mask & fin
And smiling with a great big grin, you’ll never know if it’s cause a great fish I’d seen
Or is it because I’ve been pee in
Is it really so bad a task, compared to when fishes do it in front of my mask
And when your dive master wants you to have buoyancy
Is it so bad to get there after your pee
And isn’t relieving your bladder in the sea
Better than doing it on the ladder?
And are divers from Holland & France, I’m seeing the worst violators of this scene
And is that why their called “you’re a peeing?”
