“GIVE THEM A WEEK THEY WILL REMEMBER FOREVER” 2024 CATALOG
Photo Shaun The Sheep by Kewin Lorenzen
AT KIDS SEA CAMP THE DAYS ARE SO FULL THAT WE GO TO BED COUNTING SHEEP! SEE STORIES ON PAGES 58-61
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KIDS SEA CAMP MAGIC Unplug and Reconnect Reconnecting families with nature and each other is the real magic of a Kids Sea Camp trip. Our fast-paced world can be a challenging place for families. With so many virtual distractions vying for our attention, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s truly important. At Kids Sea Camp, we believe that time spent to- gether in nature is an essential part of a happy family vacation. That’s why we create family vacations that allow parents and kids to explore the underwater world together. Our trips are also a great oppor- tunity to make new friends and connect with other families who share your love of adventure of diving. We partner with modern, luxurious boutique resorts and liveaboards worldwide. Our properties are family-owned and operated, and we place a strong emphasis on safety and creating a relaxed, kid-friendly atmosphere. Although Wi-Fi is available, we strive to create an unplugged atmosphere so that everyone can enjoy being in the present moment. Being unplugged helps kids and parents return to a natural, stress-free state of being. Time spent taking in fresh air, zero gravity, and being served instead of the server is essential to rejuvenating your being. Parents often find themselves laughing together more than ever before, while their kids become more independent and confident. Many people ask us what makes Kids Sea Camp so special. We call it the Kids Sea Camp Magic. It’s not just about the destination or the activities, but about the unique connections you make. Some of these connections are lifelong, and others are life-changing. Kids Sea Camp Magic is about everyone you meet along the way, what you experience together, and the memories you take home. Our founders, Margo and Tom, have created a worldwide family with resort owners, operators, and dive teams. Everyone shares a common thread: a love of their kids and a love of the ocean. Our dive team and local crew are warm, friendly, and attentive. We hold hands, calm fears, listen, navigate, and serve in so many ways that mean the most. Our goal is to make every member of your family feel special and included. We love seeing first-time families bond and enjoy each new day more than the last. It’s heartbreaking to see the last day arrive, but the hugs, po- ems, and joyful farewells remind us that these connections last a lifetime. If you’re looking for a family vacation that will reconnect you with nature and each other, Kids Sea Camp is the perfect choice. We invite you to
Margo and Tom Peyton Tom and Margo celebrate 19 years together this year. They raised 2 kids and shared their love and passion for the ocean and family with everyone they met along the way. Margo is a force of nature, as Tom calls her. Margo loves teaching and inspiring the next generation of divers. She has contributed to approximately 7800 certified kids, 50 Divemasters, and 30 PADI Instructors. As of 2023, Tom is a PADI dive master, and Margo claims he is made of pure LOVE. He is about having fun, creating joy, and making every trip meaningful and memorable. Together, they connect like-minded families around the world through incredible life-changing adventures.
experience the Kids Sea Camp Magic for yourself. Connect with us at a Kids Sea Camp trip this year.
By Margo Peyton and Thomas Peyton, owners of Kids Sea Camp, and Family Dive Adventures
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YOUR PERSONAL TRIP CONCIERGE THE KIDS SEA CAMP DIFFERENCE We cultivate family relationships through authentic, high-quality, educational, ocean-oriented
to disabled divers, high-functioning autism, hearing-impaired divers and other special needs, including divers with diabetes. The primary language spoken is English; however, we have a pool of multilingual PADI instructors worldwide, and with notice, many languages can be accommodated. OUR MORAL COMPASS Twenty-four years of taking kids diving without a dive accident is not just luck but hard work and dedication. Our record and reputation speaks for itself. We work with family-friendly, experienced and knowledgeable professionals. We require standard PADI, travel, medical, and KSC waivers like any other adventure sport; it does not relieve us of our moral obligation to keep you safe! Safety is our No. 1 priority, and fun is No. 2. no other
We are here to serve you and make sure your family vacation is the best it can be. Our Kids Sea Camp family vacations are hosted by Tom and Margo Peyton, along with our other longtime team of PADI professionals. We are here to cater to your personal needs. This may be extra support with the kids, a drive to the grocery store, a scuba tune-up, a one- on-one dive training session, help with a camera, or a demonstration of dive gear. Maybe it’s getting over a fear or needing a refresher course. SPECIAL NEEDS We are special-needs friendly. We can make most wishes come true with advanced notice and detailed information we need to make it safe. Kids Sea Camp has been able to cater
experiences. We encourage kids to engage with each other and marine environments respectfully while exploring the underwater world. We offer uniquely customized itineraries and educational pro- grams that accommodate many individual family needs. We pride ourselves on award- winning personal attention to detail that assures the safety and comfort of young divers. We inspire kids to become more confident by building trust through training and travel. We bring together adventurous families who want meaningful vacations that connect each other to the outdoors.
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KIDS SEA CAMP FUN FACTS
7,865: The number of PADI youth certifications created by Kid Sea Camp as of Jan. 2024. 30: The number PADI Instructors who graduated at KSC IDC’s. 12: The minimum age required for PADI Jr. Rescue, Jr. AOW & Nitrox students. 5: The number of years Olivia Rapisand has been with KSC. Seal Team: A PADI program for kids age 8 & 9 who can learn to scuba through aqua missions in the ocean at KSC. 2: The number of new PADI Divemasters certified in The Philippines last summer. Tom Peyton and Doug Donnell 1: The number of decisions you need to make to book your next family dive vacation. “Kids Sea
Camp”. 20: The number of Countries Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures travel too. 3: The number of minutes it takes to get to the first dive site from Blackbird Caye Belize. Robert Peyton: The highest ranking diver in the Peyton family. “PADI Staff Instructor.” 35: The number of years Margo Peyton has been diving. Empty Nester Travel: The newest division of our company. Taking adults to Africa, Red Sea, The Arenui and more. 24: The age of Kids Sea Camp. 6: The number of kids Woody will have in 2024
company like Kids Sea Camp exists because we make it personal. We work hard to ensure you’re in the water with family-friendly dive experts. Kids Sea Camp is the only tour company in the world dedicated to taking young divers and their families on advanced dive trips, like the Galapagos, Belize, Raja Ampat, Komodo, Palau, Indonesia, or a multi- island tour in the Philippines. Kids can experience the biggest and the smallest of marine animals. We include jungle biking, culinary classes, citizen science, internships, and local outreach. Our waivers inform you that we provide authentic experiences with natural wildlife and marine life
encounters. We are not a theme park and there is no plexi-glass. We provide education to families through facts and hands-on experiences with hopes of removing fears created by false information. Our trips require participants to respect each other and our underwater world. Safety is our area of expertise. UNPLUGGED You will find that kids pay attention and become present when they know they won’t see what they are about to do with you on TikTok or Netflix later. You will gain peace of mind as a family and make new friends. Some say oceans separate us, but we believe
they connect us all. Enjoy a full week off the grid and disconnect from your virtual worlds while reconnecting to each other and the underwater world. We all need to unplug and relax. Kids Sea Camp is the ideal week to disconnect and recharge. SPECIAL OCCASIONS Let us know how we can serve you better. We can make any occasion memorable, such as underwater wedding ceremonies, unique custom- made birthday cakes, celebrations, romantic private anniversary dinners, or KSC family reunions.
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CRISTINA AND KEWIN WORLD-REKNOWN SHARK EXPERTS JOINS US TO GUIDE KSC WEEKS
By Margo Peyton
a storm to pass for however long it may take. Don’t judge because she is a woman who kisses sharks and rescues stray pit bulls. I’m not talking about it as an act or a gimmick for a show. Cristina is connected in ways I am only beginning to comprehend to this planet: her sharks, her dogs, and Kewin. You will need only to see them snuggling with their four rescue pups; these large dogs were lost in hurricanes or discarded. Other stories to be told with a glass of wine by the fire. She is a shark queen. Her local shiver of sharks know her, trust her, and yes, befriended her. It sounds crazy but many have witnessed the mutual respect between Cristina and her sharks. It’s powerful, humbling, and just magic to experience. Her shark education and rescue
Kewin and Cristina are for sure a power couple, being around them is like watching magic happen. It is a romantic tale of the two they will have to share with you when you see them together on one of our KSC trips. They fell in love over a blue moon. This makes sense since the two have an intense passion for each other and dive into places that not many other humans dare to go. They explore and dive in blue holes, deep caves, sunken wrecks, and love sharks. I find Cristina to be sweet, kind, and ever so gentle. She is afraid of thunder and lightning and will sit just below the surface, waiting for
CRISTINA ZENATO
KEWIN LORENZEN
Photos on these pages by Kewin Lorenzen,
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have become a mission for both her and Kewin. When this young man, Kewin Loren- zen from Denmark, showed up on her doorstep to participate in his long-awaited cave dive training, he was not expecting to fall head over heels in love with a woman whose heart seemed complete enough with fins and paws. She calls him the ice to her fire. Kewin is an engineer by educa- tion, so he is practical, reasonable, humble, and dependable. One word to describe both of them is determined. As many parts of them may be different, what brings them together is their passion for each other, exploration, and pushing
each other beyond normal limits. To- gether, they are saving dogs, educating the world about sharks, the pathways of wa- ter through caves, and telling their story through photography and dive training. Kewin and Cristina can accomplish almost anything with their combined passion and determination. He proposed, then were married and shared a humble apartment in the Bahamas with their four rescue pups. Kewin is an incredible photographer, you can see and feel his epic style and Cristina’s beauty in the portraits below the sea. Together, they can make the best of our dream of a real-life princess who
found her prince, and together, they rule with love over all things. I’m so very proud of her as my sea sister, and Tom and I are honored to be able to introduce them to our Kids Sea Camp world. https://cristinazenato.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ kewinlorenzen/reels/ You can meet and dive with Cristina and Kewin this summer in our Belize KSC trips and St. Lucia weeks. They will lead our 2025 Borneo Arenui trip and our 2026 Galapagos trips.
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SAFETY FIRST
“THE MOM FACTOR” Because every child matters
“THE MOM FACTOR” Margo Peyton has been profession- ally exploring, diving, and traveling the world since 1986, guiding great adven- tures above and below the sea. Once Margo became a mother, she wanted to immerse her two children fully, Robbie and Jennifer, into her world. It was clear her business would connect children and families around the globe with edu- cational dive-travel adventures.
The dilemma Margo needed help finding a family- friendly dive resort or kid-friendly instructors for her own family. THE CREATION Margo created and customized her itineraries, courses, and schedules with Kids Sea Camp. With the help of PADI, Buddy Dive in Bonaire, Divetec and Reef Divers in the Cayman Islands, Anse
Chastanet in St. Lucia, Sea Explorers in the Philippines, Jean Michel Cousteau in Fiji, Margo established, grew, and main- tained her kid-friendly, ocean-oriented, educational scuba programs around the world. She aims to connect, nurture, and develop a network of family-friendly PADI dive resorts worldwide that will embrace and support her values and honor her standards for dive safety with kids. Margo works hard to keep
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OUR MISSION: To inspire families to dive and travel. Provide educational activities. Empower children and their families to explore the underwater world to- gether. Reconnect kids to the outdoor world and each other through fun, safe, responsible interaction. To provide environ- mentally conscious family scuba-diving vacations. OUR VALUES: We provide a strong focus on building lasting friendships and strengthening family bonds. We nurture relation- ships and treat each other with respect. We consider our responsibility as divers for our negative and positive impact on land and sea ecosystems. We give back to the many lives and commu- nities our families meet around the globe. We strive to create more responsible, confident, well-trained, and educated divers.
kids safe and constantly educates and promotes dive operations with the same moral compass. Margo says, “Kids Sea Camp is not just business; it’s personal.” Only those who know Margo’s passion and tenacity would get that. PRIORITIES Margo’s first and foremost priority is safety. She only works with locally-owned
PADI dive resorts, whose owners will hold child safety above all things. KIDS SEA CAMP MAGIC She says the magic is in her PADI Pros dive team and the families that travels with KSC. They are the best in the world! They connect families from faraway places, and lifelong friendships are forged across borders that are revisited repeatedly.
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PADI COURSES : SASY: age 4-7 Seal & Master Seal Team: age 8-9 Discover Scuba: age 10+ Jr. Open Water: age 10-14 Jr. Advanced Open Water: age 12-14 Open water: age 15+ Advanced open water: age 15+ Reactivate/Refresher Jr. Rescue: age 12+ Rescue diver: age 15+ Master Scuba Diver NITROX: age 12+ Deep Diver: age 15+ Wreck Diver: age 15+ Jr. Dive Master age 15+ Dive Master age 18+ PADI Instructor 18+ SPECIALTY COURSES: Kids Sea Camp Zombie Apocalypse Peak Performance Bouyance Coral Restoration Reef Renewal Digital Photography Videographer Navigation, Night Fish ID, Alt Light Boy Scout Merit Drift, Boat, DPV Project Aware Shark Aware Whale shark & Manta Aware Underwater naturalist Lionfish Tracker Equipment Free Diving DPV Mermaid Emergency Oxygen Provider
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OUR AREA OF EXPERTISE: KIDS TRAINING
DIVING AND TRAINING For 24 years, parents and
PADI instructors, your kids will gain confidence while mastering important safety concepts and skills. At Kids Sea Camp, you can trust that the PADI instructors in the water with your kids are well-trained and held to diving’s highest standards. The kids participate in specialized age-appropriate and performance- based dive activities. They progress at their own pace as they demonstrate mastery of specific skills essential to being a scuba diver. Kids earn their PADI certifications in encouraging and well-supported learning environments. It is our goal to encourage families to explore the underwater world
together. They experience and learn about marine life safely and respectfully. We pride ourselves on creating more aware, confident, and capable divers. Our PADI programs fall under strict educational standards. PADI takes a proactive approach to quality management and randomly surveys PADI divers to ensure courses meet PADI’s high standards and divers’ expectations. No other scuba diving training organization works to maintain this level of professional reliability and integrity. Kids Sea Camp has achieved the PADI President’s Award of Excellence.
grandparents have entrusted us to care for the most cherished people — their children and grandchildren. That is why we choose the highest level of quality in dive training and instruction: PADI. The reality is that for adults to have a stress-free dive vacation, they must feel confident and comfortable leaving their kids in our hands and they do! The KSC and PADI systems of diver education are the most reliable structured systems in diving. Our dive programs are designed to make learning enjoyable and safe. Under the guidance of professional
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More than 49 Kids Sea Camps and counting
Woody Tinsley rests after a long day of training at a Kids Sea Camp
TEACHING KIDS DIVING SINCE 2007 WITH KIDS SEA CAMP
A Kids Sea Camp Story by Woody Tinsley One of the most common questions asked of me by families is: How did I connect with Kids Sea Camp (KSC)? It’s a fascinating story that encompasses a series of fortuitous events. I started diving in 1998 and still considered myself a rookie diver in 2004 when I first bumped into KSC. I was on my first dive vacation in Curacao, as I tried to book some diving at Ocean Encounters, I was told that there was a big family dive event and they were fully booked for the next four weeks. I liked kids but KSC had completely taken over the resort, restaurants, and the dive shop! I dove with another operator but watched from a distance, thinking how much fun KSC divers were having and how cool it would be to bring my future kids on a Kids Sea Camp adventure. Fast forward two years and I spent much time fossil shark tooth diving. I wrote two articles for Shark Diver Magazine and became a PADI Scuba Instructor. After
writing my articles, I was invited to give a presentation at the annual Boston Sea Rovers Clinic (years later, I would be accepted into their ranks, which was the proudest personal accomplishment of my life.) I threw together a Power Point presentation about ethical souvenir buying; you know, no dead seahorses, sharks in jars, etc. and I created it to read like a nursery rhyme. Cristina Zenato attended, a famous “shark whisperer”. She was The Shark Lady and instructor at UNEXSO in the Bahamas. Cristina loved my presentation and invited me to be a staff member at UNEXSO’s first Kids Sea Camp event. I couldn’t believe it! My future kids had also been born but were not yet old enough to participate. MY FIRST KIDS SEA CAMP I departed the U.S. for my first KSC adventure in 2007. Cristina put me in charge of the PADI Seal Team. I was on an island paradise and teaching Aqua Missions to kids in a pool. If you know me, I’m not a “pool” guy, honestly though, it was the most rewarding and fun week of my life (until
later when I brought my kids). On that trip, I certified five little Seals, including Natasha and Nay Nay, two 9-year-old local girls who won the Kids Sea Camp scholarship that summer. At the end of the week, before the KSC poetry and Junkanoo celebration, I won my first Sealife camera in the talent show, pulling off an incredibly fantastic lip sync rendition of the Thriller dance. My first KSC week was terrific, but it took Margo until Thursday to ask me to come to work for Kids Sea Camp! I’VE ATTENDED 49+ KIDS’ SEA CAMP EVENTS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS. My favorite KSC adventures are the ones I’ve shared with my two kids, Rowen and Bryson Belle, and one of the most memorable ever was at Buddy Dive in Bonaire in July 2019. Owners Paul & Michelle Coolen with Margo & Tom Peyton helped me put together a special Woody family moment in the middle of KSC. I brought my mom, Barbara, (at the time) girlfriend Sally, and her two kids, Olivia and Mason. I planned
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(Marriage proposal) had the whole family underwater with my mom and it was so fantastic. I wrote on my slate to Sally "the question", and only hoped she would circle the YES instead of the NO, and she did.
KSC AMBASSADOR: WOODY TINSLEY
to ask Sally to marry me underwater during the camp. Sally was just certified, so I took her on our first couples dive off the house reef. My mom had not been diving in 2 years, so Margo’s son & instructor, Robbie Peyton, helped with her and Rowen. Both Sally’s kids had just completed the Jr. Open Water course, and this was their first dive. Margo jumped in to shoot photos with Tom, and on July 25th, 2019, I proposed to my now wife, Sally Tinsley, at Kids Sea Camp, Buddy Dive underwater. I popped “the question” using a slate. I only hoped she would circle the YES instead of the NO, which she did. Sharing that moment with the family was fantastic! WHY I LOVE KIDS SEA CAMP I’ve watched my children grow up at Kids Sea Camp. I have also been delighted to introduce over 600 kids to our underwater world and certify them at Kids Sea Camps. According to a statistic I made up, one out of every three Kids Sea Camp divers will have been certified by me in 2035. I have loved watching kids from around the globe grow as divers and I am always inspired at how much
diving has impacted their lives positively. Some of my first Zombie Apocalypse Diver Students are now instructors, including Addie Benz, Lily Blakey, Jen Peyton, Robbie Peyton, Ryan Seltz, Max Lavinsky, Holly Wakely, and Grant Smith. My own family is the #1 reason I love Kids Sea Camp. You and I all know why Margo Peyton started her company. The exhilarating feeling of diving with your kids at any age is untouchable. Then, when you add in parrotfish, flounder, and brain coral, the things you and I take for granted become exciting again when you experience them through your children’s eyes. That intentionally sunk rowboat, used to make an artificial reef, is like diving the Titanic to them. Sharing this sport with my children and hearing them talk about diving with such zeal melts my heart every time. I love Kids Sea Camp because I am a part of something much more significant than myself. It allows me to share life and create forever memories in a way I never imagined was possible. So, what’s next for my Kids Sea Camp
story? Well, Sally and I had a baby girl in July of 2022, Marina Coral Tinsley. And we are excited to also be bringing in another baby boy in December off 2023. After that, I have no idea. I know it involves years of continued fun at Kids Sea Camp. We look forward to introducing our family’s newest member sometime in 2024. From Margo and Tom Peyton Unquestionably, Woody Tinsley has made our company and our lives better. Kids Sea Camp has not been the same since Woody’s larger-than-life influence. Woody reminds us daily to laugh out loud at our bizarre world, embrace and love each other without limits, and be gentle and kind to everyone. Congratulations, Woody & Sally, on your next bundle of joy! We can’t wait to meet him. Thank you, Lord, Doctor Woody Tinsley, for pouring your heart and soul into making Kids Sea Camp that much better.
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EXPERIENCE
Margo Peyton shares 35 years of experience in family diving and travel.
On Cayman Brac , Cayman Brac Beach Resort has a 140,000 gallon pool sitting right on the ocean for the little ones to do their aqua missions. It’s all 1 bedroom hotel style rooms so I feel for a family with one child the double rooms are perfect. The resort also has four rooms that can connect to house larger families. Bonaire is my #2 destination. Buddy Dive Resort is a the perfect place for SASY and Seal Team kids to enjoy the ocean every day of the year with the Buddy Academy. Kids dive programs are offered all year, with the best kid friendly dive team in the Carib- bean. Families can “jump off-the-dock” to enjoy schools of fish and coral gardens. What is your favorite destination for large families? Buddy Dive Bonaire would be my first choice. This resort offers one, two and three bedroom condos. Its the best value for large families. This PADI CDC offers the most af- fordable dive packages to choose from. If you’re willing to travel, the second favorite would be the Philippines: Vida Homes & Pura Vida Resort, located in Dauin. A PADI IDC, that provides spectacular valet private diving with Sea Explorers . Vida
I have spent the last three decades of my life diving and traveling with families from around world. I have created Kids Sea Camp to take families with kids ages 4-18 on scuba vacations that allow them to experience and learn more about the underwater world. A living classroom for the whole family. Top destination for kids age 4-8 The Cayman Islands: I created Kids Sea Camp there because it is where my son Robbie was born. It has calm seas, clear wa- ter, and a climate that’s perfect for the little ones. The islands have stunning white sand beaches and offer biking, snorkeling, topside photography, fishing, hiking, spa, and muse- ums, . There are multiple flights daily from the US and it’s not expensive to get too. I chose the Cayman Islands for its ease of diving and abundance in diversity. SASY (Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth) and Seal Team kids can dive into the ocean and enjoy learning about marine life in a confined safe setting. Little Cayman Beach Resort in Little Cayman would be my first choice. This bou- tique style resort offers oceanfront and pool view 1 bedrooms and a perfect in ocean training area.
Homes offers hotel rooms, one, two and three bedroom luxury villas. I describe this resort as affordable family luxury. Best for families with older kids that have been diving a while? Galapagos would be my first thought. I choose the M/V Tiburon Explorer and the M/V Humboldt Explorer for our trips. I’ve been taking kids to the Galapagos for 17 years. We dive from pangas, the kids and adults easily roll off the side. It’s big animal interaction: big sharks, wild dolphins, whale sharks, giant mantas, marine iguanas, and tons of sea lions. I book full charters for June & July which is peak whale shark season. It is one of the last diving frontiers. I feel like every time we go it’s the trip of a lifetime for each family. If you want to share a rare, majestic and educational dive adventure with your children, then take them to the Galapa- gos. As an individual family on a regular trip, I would say minimum of 50 dives required. On a KSC charter, age 12+. What’s your top choice for families with non-divers? Number One is St. Lucia at Anse Chas-
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tanet Resort . This resort offers, a spa, jungle biking, volcano hiking, paddle boarding, sailing, snorkeling, chocolate culinary classes, yoga, shopping, guided sugar plantation walks, farm to table dining as well as a jazzy sunset cruise. There are opportunities for time together as a family and for divers to dive while non divers enjoy the rest. Number Two is Belize at Blackbird Caye Resort . This resort sits right on the Turneffe Atoll with amazing access to fly fish- ing and snorkeling . There is a boat dedicated specifically for them, sometimes they see more than the divers! What makes Kids Sea Camp Special Needs friendly? For the past 8 years we have been provid- ing special needs for adults and kids diving around the world, exceeding their expecta- tions. I gathered a team of dive instructors that are experienced in areas such as high functioning autism, deaf, handicap, and expe- rienced in the valet needs of elderly divers. We provide valet diving services to make everyday diving details easier and less stress- ful for all who need or want. We can provide private one-on-one instructors or dive masters for people that need a little more professional assistance. We have smaller tanks and BC’s for smaller adults and kids. We have destinations that can cater to needs of dive platforms, wheel- chairs and we can help people with gear off in and out of the water. If families can give us specific instructions we do our best to meet those needs. Most importantly, the doctor who is treat- ing a special needs participant must provide authorization stating person is cleared to participate in scuba diving activities. I require at least six months notice and a good in- depth conversation about special needs. Any advice for parents and relatives of new divers? Know your kids’ depth limits and profile restrictions. If you are not a PADI pro or other dive pro, not an avid diver, then always make sure to request to have a dive master or instructor leading you on dives with your kids. Parents have enough on their plates taking care of themselves under water, when you add kids to that it can become very stressful quickly. Kids move around faster and you can’t just talk or yell to them underwater. Parents and relatives should make sure to have a refresher course if needed. Know your signals and skills well, so that you can assist and com- municate with young or new divers. Lead by example. Your kids watch you and they learn from
observing your habits. So lead by example. Make sure your gear is streamlined, check your gauges early and often, ascend and descend slowly. Always let someone else know you’re going diving and make sure you have a slate to write on. Things happen, currents come up and you need to be able to communicate with each other. Have a plan. Make it fun to come up with some of your own sea signs and signals. Don’t assume every diver knows the same signs & signals. Go over them before your dive. Make sure you do a weight check prior to diving and know the type of dive you are going to do. Make sure you are not forcing your child to dive. If he or she is scared or doesn’t want to go, then discuss what’s going on and make it OK not to dive. The worst thing you can do is force a child or adult to dive when they do not feel safe or well. Don’t try to impress your child. Don’t be a show off. I promise kids will try to do what you do. Just enjoy your time in the water and let them enjoy the zero grav- ity. Diving should not be like being in a boot camp. Your kids should have fun! It is called recreational diving for a reason. Kids love the zero gravity, doing somer- saults, taking photos having fun with you and being upside down. Make some of that OK when its safe to. Show them where it’s OK to have some fun and when it’s not.
Do not give kids over the counter medications before a dive If I had a dollar for every time a child told me their parent loaded them up with an an- tihistamine before a dive, I could fill a bucket. That can be a very dangerous thing to do. Some medications can cause reverse blocks or also cause panic and anxiety attacks. The most common problem is dehydration. Diving is a very dehydrating sport anyway, so adding a decongestant before a dive can make a situation ten times worse. Consult with a doctor before administering any medications that will be in you or your child’s system during a dive. Never drink alcohol and dive. There is never a day that I don’t learn something new from the people I have the pleasure to dive with around the world. Diving with kids expands my knowledge and enriches my life each year. My greatest moments 1. Turning a frightened or anxious mother’s face into a calm and confident smile. 2. Seeing three generations of divers enjoying diving together as a family. 3. Taking children out of the only world they have ever known and showing them the magic of the ocean for the very first time. Margo Peyton PADI Instructor #57474 1989 - 2024 is celebrating 35 years of diving in 2024.
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We have created memories to last us a lifetime
“HONEY, I THINK WE FOUND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR!”
While we enjoyed the beach and boating, our passion was scuba diving, so we searched for the perfect family vacation. Unfortunately, we thought kids and scuba diving would not go together very well. As I sat at my computer, hopeful, I entered vari- ous words into the search engines online: “family diving,” “kids scuba diving,” and “family vacations.” Kids Sea Camp popped up, and I turned to my husband and said, “Honey, I think I found what we have been looking for!” I read everything about Kids Sea Camp and its founder, Margo Peyton. If you Google either of those phrases, there are pages of great stories and information, and it’s all positive. I called the next day and Margo answered the phone. We spoke at length as I had many concerns because Hunter couldn’t swim or
speak English and Sam, who has ADHD, is not one to sit through a course. Maybe it was selfish on our part but I just knew we had to go. Margo assured me it would all work out and we booked our first of many trips to Buddy Dive in Bonaire for June 2010. At this point, Hunter was not too enamored with the ocean as his first water event occurred at home when he fell into the pool and sank to the bottom. This soon was remedied with swim lessons, and by spring, he had donned a wet suit and was playing in the waves in St. Augustine, Florida. When we arrived at Buddy Dive, we were apprehensive. What was I thinking going off diving while my two 5-year-old kids were left with the Kids Sea
Camp staff? My fears were allayed when I watched the kids feeding beautiful parrot fish off the dock. They were laughing and having the time of their life. By the end of the week, these two 5-year-olds were making new friends, learning about fish, and even managing giant strides off the dock in SASY gear. They loved their instructors and learned to set up and use their gear. We have never looked back. Over the past thirteen years, our family vacations have been with Kids Sea Camp. There were challenges along the way. The hardest part for Sam was completing the book work for his Jr. Open Water class. But you put Sam in a wet suit and scuba gear, the little diver in him takes right over. Sam and Hunter love zero gravity and that little kid who
By Patti Snyder & Andy Hopkins In the spring of 2010, I sat at my computer late one night, search- ing for family vacations. Sam was 5, and we recently adopted our son, Hunter, also 5, from China. My husband, Andy, and I were avid divers. While Andy’s diving background was dry suit diving in the cold ocean off the coast of Scotland, I preferred warmer waters. As avid cave divers, we loved diving in the springs in Florida, having kids meant that cave diving was in the past for us.
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Sam through the years
Hunter through the years
once sank to the bottom of the pool is now a varsity swimmer and triathlete. They want to experience life to the fullest, and nothing holds them back. We have taken them diving at Kids Sea Camp Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Utila, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Belize, Little Cayman, our first liveaboard Kids Sea Camp was in Socorro Islands, and we have also done the pinnacle of diving destinations- the Galapagos! Some of those KSC places have seen our faces more than once. Each time we go, we reconnect with families we have met and meet new ones. We have watched as our kids (and other families’ kids) have transition from SASY to Seals to JOW to AOW divers to now all rescue divers. We are all divers, and watching our kids become divers is a bond we get to share. I am really the lucky one. I have three men in my life who share my passion for the sea. Not all of the places Margo researches for Kids Sea Camp pass her muster because it takes a special family-friendly place, a special family-friendly PADI dive instructor, and a unique local, family-owned operation for her to feel safe entrusting “her kids” in the under- water world. Margo is a PADI instructor whose whole life is dedicated to keeping kids safe while teaching them about the ocean. All of the resorts are PADI five-star dive centers. Then the extras are included, like private boats, kids’ dive gear, private instructors, and even Margo and Tom. Other things to do include zip-lining, chocolate tasting, spas, jungle biking, beach volleyball, fire dancers, sunset cruises, and cultural excursions. Kids Sea Camp is more than just diving, learn- ing underwater sign language (yes, there is a helpful course on that), using SeaLife cameras, learning about coral reef restoration, and un- derstanding our impact and role as responsible divers. Then, there is the tradition of family poetry writing. Inspired by the SeaLife camera prizes, Andy writes about this magical journey at each destination, the week’s highlights, and the pre- cious moments captured in the smiles on our sons’ faces each day. There is overwhelming joy expressed in these poems, as each trip creates lifelong memories for Kids Sea Camp families. When Andy reads his poetry, he is always choking back emotion and tears, as is the entire group. You see, wreck diving off the coast of North Carolina brought us together 28 years ago, and it’s Kids Sea Camp that rekindles that with the perfect family dive vacation.
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KIDS SEA CAMP IS MORE THAN DIVING We have the best surface intervals on the planet
LAND & SEA: FROM BLOWKARTING, BASKETBALL, FLY FISHING TO KARAOKE! WE HAVE FUN STAYING DRY!
THE MARRIAGE OF LAND AND SEA Tom is the land, and Margo the sea. Families have traveled with Margo because of her diving expertise and love of the ocean. However, over the years, Tom Peyton has enhanced the beyond-diving part of Kids Sea Camp, creating more fun for families with other passions.
wants to join in on the volleyball game too!
beginner to expert. Tom always brings a second rod. (Catch and release only.)
BASKETBALL Being from the Midwest, Tom has been shooting hoops since he was a kid, and it’s almost a religion for him. He will get a pick- up game if there’s a court around. It does not matter the country or the language — Tom connects the world through basketball. TOM’S PASSION & PEACE Sometime during the week, you will find Tom has gone fishing — his place for peace; his passion is fly-fishing. There is always an open invitation for anyone to join, from
MUSIC, POETRY, SINGING Tom is a singer, songwriter, and
professional artist. He loves to encourage creativity and often gets karaoke going on the week. Tom also enjoys impromptu jam sessions for anyone wanting to bring a guitar or other instrument you may play. Feel free to bring your music and your voice, and be ready to have fun jamming by the beach at night. Each week ends with a poetry presentation or skit.
VOLLEYBALL Tom gets the games rolling in the
afternoons, either on the beach or in the pool. The most popular game is parents vs. kids. It is always fun when the dive staff
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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE:
Football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, sailing yoga, blow karting, spa, painting, poetry, zip line, horseback riding, culinary classes, fly- fishing, jungle biking and paddle boarding!
LAND-BASED FUN
2023 Special Events KSC BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALl THANKSGIVING: Little Cayman Beach Resort,
November 18th- 25th (Basketball with Tom)
OCEAN WISHES TURKEY TROT 5K LITTLE CAYMAN, THANKSGIVING: Little Cayman Beach Resort, November 18th- 25th
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Photo by Margo Peyton
SPECIAL-NEEDS FRIENDLY
RETURNING TO THE OCEAN TRANSFORMS PERSONAL TRAGEDY INTO A SOULFUL HEALING FOR A KIDS SEA CAMP FATHER
DIVING BACK INTO LIFE
I am Paul Zanelli, a volunteer fireman and EMT for over 35 years, a husband, father, and now an amputee. I spent 33 days confined to a hospital bed after crushing my right foot during a home project. When I opened my eyes the morning of December 23, 2016, minus a leg, I looked up at the hospital room TV to see a one-legged superstar running a Spartan race. It was like God was trying to show me a new world of possibilities. Christmas was spent in the hospital with my family and friends. So many people came to visit, and as much joy as that brought me, it was hard to see the pain and sorrow in their eyes. I wasn’t in pain! I was going to be OK! I did not need them to feel sorry for me. I became determined to stay strong and lead a normal life. I came home from the hospital on Decem- ber 27 with equal measures of hope and fear. One of the first people to reach out to me was Margo Peyton, owner of Kids Sea Camp,
and the call she made to me was the start of a new and wonderful, new relationship with her, my family, and diving. I met Margo and her husband, Tom Peyton,the year before at Kids Sea Camp (KSC) in Roatan, Honduras. It had been a dream come true for us. Cindy and I were avid divers for over a decade, but after having children, dive trips were replaced with Disney and water parks. We stumbled upon KSC when the kids turned ten and wanted to dive, too. In Roatan, we dove and made friends with other adults while the kids got certified and made their own friends. It felt great for all of us to be diving together finally. We planned on div- ing, a big part of our life, and booked another KSC trip for spring break 2017 in Dominica at the Fort Young Hotel and Buddy Dive Dominica. While lying in the hospital bed in December, the doctors told me there was no way that I would be diving in April. It was only four months away, so I sadly told my wife to can-
cel our family vacation, and in perfect Cindy form, she said NO! Keeping that trip scheduled was one of the best decisions ever. My family needed this trip, and so did I. I wanted to show my kids (and myself) that life would be as good or better. And what made it all come together was this unexpected call from Margo. She had been following my story on Facebook, with lots of love and prayers throughout. Margo called to tell me she had made all the arrangements for me with a handicap room, an HSA instructor, some big strong dive guides to help me in and out of the water, and anything else I could possibly need to make this work. She even arranged the land excursions that ensured no far walks for me or a path where I could be driven to the top of the fort or waterfalls. To top it all off, she even purchased me a sub-gravity underwater scooter through her not-for-profit foundation, Oceanwishes.org. The scooter was small, compact, and easy to use. It could be used with one arm or two.
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KSC AMBASSADOR: PAUL ZANELLI
The scooter provided assistance diving if I got tired; it was a lot of fun. Margo loves chal- lenges and is one of the most loving people I have ever met. She proudly proclaimed, “Paul, we got this!” and, with that, launched me into getting back in shape and continuing to plan our dream dive trip to Dominica. Margo and I connected in New Jersey at the Beneath the Sea Dive show in March. She was delighted to see me walking with my new prosthetic leg and introduced me to ‘Dive Heart’ to get neutrally buoyant fins to fit my new foot. I was excited about the ScubaPro fins and meeting some great people already doing what I was still dreaming about. We arrived in Dominica just four months after my surgery. I was walking on my new prosthetic, carrying the underwater scooter, and a swim prosthetic (Aqua Leg) was strapped to my backpack. Fort Young Hotel was beautiful and located right on the water, with our room looking out to the ocean. Buddy Dive was ready and waiting for me.
I spent the first full day trying out my new Aqua Leg, learning to use my new dive gear, and getting comfortable diving. Niels, who runs Buddy Dive, was ready to assist in any way, so I jumped in for a checkout dive off the dock. That was the most fantastic feeling in the world, my friends. I cannot describe the freedom and joy I felt getting back in the water, descending to depth, and diving again. After my incredible checkout dive, it was game on! I had my family around me, and that family now included the Whites and the Peytons. We were so fortunate to have the friends we met last year in Roatan, Jay and Lisa White, and their boys reconnect with us in Dominica. They brought an extra scooter and a shared passion for hunting lionfish. Cindy, Lisa and Margo focused on underwater photography, and the kids were scootering together and having a blast. Life was great again! Buddy Dive in Dominica accommodates
every level of diver, and it was easy for me and the kids. We enjoyed diving with adults on our boats in the mornings and then dove as a family every afternoon. We had fun looking for sperm whales, and I even jumped off the top of the Buddy Express boat with all the kids! Abby and JAZ took a digital photo class with Margo and shot some amazing underwater images. We ate fresh lionfish fritters and ceviche each night. Margo and Tom always put safety first, making our trip stress-free. It was just what my soul needed, and all was made possible by Next Step Orthopedics and Kids Sea Camp’s “We got this” mentality. It was hard to say goodbye, but we are busy planning our next KSC trip. Story by Paul Zanelli, father, hus- band, diver, EMT, fireman and all- round inspirational human being
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BONAIRE
BUDDY DIVE 2024 TRIPS: July 6th - 13th & July 13th- 20th 2025 TRIPS: August 2nd - 9th & August 9th - 16th
THE RESORT This family-owned and operated resort has the casual, relaxed atmosphere you want in a family vacation. It is an unhurried, unspoiled natural diver’s paradise with spectacular sunsets, easy diving, and crystal-clear water. THE DIVING If you want to fall in love with diving, if you want to become a better diver, and if you’re going to dive safely with ease as a family, welcome to Buddy Dive Bonaire. Here, you can jump off the dock to enjoy large schools of fish, shallow wrecks, and relax diving with newly certified kids. The water is warm, and the view is fantastic. The dive team here is the best in the Caribbean! Most are parents themselves, so kids’ safety is a priority. Buddy Dive is a PADI five-star Career Development center.
THE PACKAGE 7 nights at Buddy Dive Resort. 1, 2, or 3-bedroom condos, 3 meals daily, healthy snacks, and educational presentations. Adult dive packages include 11 or 6 boat packages with unlimited shore diving and free Nitrox. Truck rental with 6 boat dives and unlimited shore diving packages. Certified kids get to choose between Adventure Dive, Advanced Open Water, Reef Renewal or Rescue courses for the week. WHAT’S INCLUDED: A guided night dive, pizza movie night, treasure hunt, donkey safari, island tour, course materials for kids, blow karting, photo classes, poetry presentations, kayaking, slacklining, tubing, advanced open water course, rescue course, reef renewal course, wreck dives, all kids dive gear, t-shirts, sealife cameras to use, photo dives for kids, slide shows and coral restoration presentation.
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WHY BUDDY DIVE?
1. 1, 2 and 3 bedroom oceanview villas 2. The #1 kid-friendly dive staff in the Caribbean. 3. Blow karting, tubing and the Donkey Safari. 4. Jump off the dock 24 hour diving!
$ 2,850 FROM
2024 rates based on 2 adults in a 1-bedroom, one-bath condo, 11 boat dives and unlimited shore diving Divers education: SASY, Seal Team, PADI (JOW, includes SCUBAPRO BC), AOW, (Dive master, Instructor, Intro to Tech and Tech40 age 18 and up) Additional options: Buddy Dive IDC, Jr. dive master & dive master, dive instructor
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One giant stride for family kind
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: The Burkhards: (left) John, (center) Beth and (right) Morgan
KIDS SEA CAMP A LIFE-CHANGING EVENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Without the experience of traveling around the Kids Sea Camp (KSC) world over the last seven years, I would not be the same person. Seeing the world through diving has taken me far beyond what I would learn in 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. KSC is just one giant 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. 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 was a part of so many unique activities, and I made friends that I still dive with today, like Kai Hunsicker and Max Lavinsky. When I was 9, my mom signed me up for the KSC PADI Seal Team program. She was apprehensive about the dive gear not fitting me because I was so tiny. KSC owner Margo Peyton told mom she had plenty of small tanks and BCs available for all kids my size. I loved every minute of being underwater and experiencing zero gravity. I liked listening to the sounds of fish munching on the reef. I take a training course every KSC trip to become a better diver. I completed my PADI JOW and AOW 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 very grateful that my parents, who are long-time scuba divers, wanted to keep diving and include me. We make KSC our family vacation every year. KSC is not just for kids! Sometimes, my parents (Beth and John Burkhard) have more fun than anyone. Margo and Tom Peyton strive to make each vacation personal, focusing on family fun for all your family members. They even gave my and Kai’s parents some added privacy on our Philippines trip, meaning Kai and I got our own room. It was awesome! Tom usually sets up all the sporting activities on the 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. Tom is one of the best underwater
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