How we dive and who can dive at Kids Sea Camp
All about Kids Sea Camp!
The family-owned company, which has operated for over 26 years and has contributed to over 8,100 diver certifications. In addition, Family Dive Adventures, a division of Kids Sea Camp Inc., offers customized dive travel planning for individual families and groups that wish to travel at any time of year. Our dive programs and services are considered the best for families worldwide.
What is Kids Sea Camp?
We are a family scuba-diving vacation for like-minded families who want more than just a vacation. It brings together adults from ages 18 to 80 and kids from ages 4 to 17 from around the world, with two common threads: their love for the ocean and diving, and their love of family.
In 2000, Margo Peyton (shown on the left) created Kids Sea Camp to cater to families who wanted to share their vacation experiences with other like-minded families. There was a huge need to assist families in the scuba diving community, and Margo wanted to fill that need. She realized many parents and grandparents wanted to take dive vacations with their families. They wanted beautiful destinations where the kids would be safe, have fun, and create memories that would last a lifetime. Our company provides all of this, and we offer safe environments where families learn to dive and experience the underwater world together, a fun place to build friendships and bonds with other families worldwide. Check our Calendar.
A list of Kids Sea Camp Dive Programs and Services
Facts and information
Kids Sea Camp is a sponsored PADI diving event. KSC will be celebrating its 26th year in 2026. Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures is the fastest-growing family dive event. It is considered an industry leader in dive training and family dive vacations. Approximately 1,500 divers from around the world travel with us each year to different destinations. Our group size generally ranges from 20-50 kids to 25-60 adults.
We are a family scuba vacation with a training baked in
Kids Sea Camp is a dive training and educational family event at select PADI resort destinations. Resorts and operators must meet specific requirements and standards for families to dive and learn in a safe environment that is well within PADI’s guidelines and mandates. All instructors and Dive Masters are PADI-certified, rescue-trained, and have active teaching status.
Exclusive itineraries, super service, fantastic adventure, and expert training
The adventure lasts seven nights
Generally, arrival is on Saturday, and departure is the following Saturday. Liveaboard weeks may differ. Please check with one of our professional dive staff for detailed information.
Meals
Kids have breakfast with their parents, lunch with dive staff, and dinner with their parents, except for pizza/movie night, when parents or teens participate in the night dive. Again, this may differ with liveaboards.
Family Day
On Thursday or Friday, all divers dive as a family, though this tradition varies by location. Adults can dive with kids any day of the week, including guided shore dives at select locations and even daily afternoon dives.
We only work with the best
The resort/dive operator provides staffing for the events. Kids Sea Camp hires the resort and dive operator staff who support KSC family weeks. 100% of the programs are run by dive operators and hotel staff, not Kids Sea Camp staff. The dive operator staff required includes PADI active dive masters and instructors who will work with kids daily during dive programs, typically while parents are out diving.
We have higher training standards than PADI
Our ratios for instructors and kids are generally two kids per instructor in a course for kids up to 12. 12+ ratios are based on PADI standards, such as one instructor with four kids in a class and one instructor for every five kids not in a course.
Kids Sea Camp teaches kids to be responsible, safe, and confident divers.
We create adventures for families of all ages, sizes, and cultural backgrounds. Here, families can come together and embark on journeys to places they may never have imagined, in ways they could only have dreamed of. Parents and kids can dive safely at Kids Sea Camp, spending time together and apart.
Kids Sea Camp family weeks offer all PADI dive programs for kids. 15Â PADI courses are ACA-accredited (college credit).
Courses and Programs
Your kids will start online
PADI programs are now offered online through eLearning. Go to PADI.com and click on eLearning to start your diving certification course. Get the book work and tests out of the way, and we will do the rest when you arrive. Click on Kids Sea Camp as your dive store. Click on this link for a list of all PADI courses (for kids).
We have a lot fun on island
In addition to PADI dive courses, we offer marine art classes with local artists, as well as guest speakers and presenters. Marine conservation topics are scheduled throughout the week. Photo and video clinics, as well as free demo cameras, are available with select packages that feature the latest line of digital underwater cameras from SeaLife. Poetry is also a part of our family time at the end of each week. Parents present a family poem and may receive prizes. Photo contests and sponsor-supported treasure hunts are also part of our Kids Sea Camp program weeks.
Outreach programs with local kids: Contact us for training grants at 1-803-419-2556.
Other Programs and Services
- Private Group or family travel planning, custom-designed to meet specific needs: reunions, weddings, holidays, and anything a client can dream of.
- Creativity workshops, motivational speakers, marine art programs, career day presentations
- Corporate incentive family weeks
- Custom-designed private dive training programs for groups or individuals: Open Water through IDC can be arranged
- Inspirational and dive team-building workshops
- Parent training courses, Parent/child training courses(PADI)
- Staff development: Working with and teaching kids, building your kids, and family programs. (how to)
- Leadership and management training when working with kids.
Our PADI partners
Our partnered PADI dive operators encourage parents to be responsible, confident divers when diving with their children. Students are given multiple activities during Kids Sea Camp, and the staff’s enthusiasm is dedicated to teaching new and fun facts about the oceans. Learning takes place both in a classroom environment and through hands-on programs that teach age-appropriate curricula.
Curriculum
We will examine the similarities and differences between fish and marine mammals, discussing the shapes, colors, and textures of various marine animals. We will identify space, color, and movement underwater while distinguishing the differences between animals with and without bones. Discussion topics include the function and morphology of marine habitats, as well as their dazzling colors, light, and motion.
You got questions? We have answers
We will answer questions and review best practices, such as: What do sea creatures feed on? Are all animals friendly? What must animals do to survive? How can we help? And what can you do to protect the oceans and their environment?
Students will experience unforgettable moments in direct contact with animal replicas, such as dried bones and skin. Various fun activities and games aid in educational messages about the ocean.
Kids Age 5+: Programs and Services
The wonderful world of invertebrates: Kids learn about anemones, jellyfish, and corals. Students learn how anemones combat dehydration and discover the purpose of those unusual tentacles.
The fantastic world of marine mammals: Youth learn about how these once-land animals adapted to an aquatic environment and their mysterious and elaborate forms of communication. Did you know sea otters are the only marine mammals using tools? Did you know that sea turtles come out of the sea to lay their eggs?
Ocean Explorers
Participants learn about the oceans and how they were formed. They meet the animals that dwell in the sea and learn how animals that live in the open water hide. They understand why pollution is so dangerous and can identify an animal by examining its remains on a beach.
Kids Age 10+: Programs and Services
Learn about animals and how they adapt to their environment
Compare shape, color, and external features; a habitat’s temperature, sounds, and smells are fundamental while identifying their main characteristics, habitat, and organism diversity; types of movement, rays, sharks, turtles, and more; Types of coating; variety in shape; different environments; diversity in feeding and behaviors; reproduction; adaptation to environment.
What makes these species behave when their environment changes? How do species develop and change with human interaction? What can we do to conserve the oceans? Kids learn about the diversity of sharks and rays in a fun way. Their multiple shapes, teeth, skin, reproduction, and even incidents with humans are all approached in interactive and positive ways.
Animal exploitation
We’ll explore how and why some ocean animals are being exploited, and we’ll help kids learn what they can do to assist in conservation efforts.
Ocean mathematics with us — it’s fun!
Scuba math is part of our daily routines, and we don’t even realize it. We use it to measure the amount of air our tanks hold, how bodies are affected at different depths, how long we can dive at certain depths, and how long a turtle can hold its breath.
Teens 12+ Programs and Services
The diversity of relationships between humans and the ocean: We will uncover how human needs impact our oceans. Teens will learn about food chains and food webs.
Predators vs. Prey: Participants will gain an understanding of the importance of predators, their role in maintaining ecosystem balance, and their sneaky strategies for capturing their prey.
Energy transfers along the food chain: We’ll discuss food chain predator/prey relationships and topic titles such as “To hunt or to be hunted:” Man and marine life; reproduction and survival of the species; the multitude of marine animals; our responsibility to the ocean; and Man’s interventions on the delicate balance of nature.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kids Sea Camp for more information at 1-803-419-2556