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