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.
www.familydivers.com 803-419-2556 dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
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