kscmagmarch - Family Dive Adventures

Transcription

kscmagmarch - Family Dive Adventures
FAMILY DIVE ADVENTURES
WWW.FAMILYDIVERS.COM 803.419.2556 dive@familydivers.com
2016 FAMILY DIVE
TRAVEL PLANNER
Images appearing in this publication are courtesy of Margo Peyton, Tom Peyton, Brad Holland, Lucy Dunbar, Fraser Purdon,
Ramin Sarin, Zebedee Wakely, Woody Tinsley, Allard Ven Der Graaf, Melissa Guarino, Kim Kim Foster, Cover photo by Brad
Holland
Special thanks to Carolyn Pascal Guarino for editing professionalism.
This 2016 publication is copyrighted, all rights reserved to Kids Sea Camp Inc., P.O. Box 291030 Columbia, SC 29229.
Family Dive Adventures is a Kids Sea Camp Inc. Company.
“GIVE THEM A WEEK
THEY WILL REMEMBER FOREVER.”
ST. LUCIA BONAIRE FIJI ROATAN
PALAU YAP GRAND CAYMAN
INDONESIA PHILIPPINES DOMINICIA
AUSTRALIA GALAPAGOS
Join the adventure
“Unparalleled,
memorable and
the most intimate
family adventures
imaginable”
At Kids Sea Camp, you can help save
sharks from extinction, restore ancient
corals, explore sunken wrecks, jungle
bike through a 200-year-old sugar
plantation, take off on a magical cruise
around Darwin’s Arch, kayak the Rock
Islands of Palau and dive below the
majestic Pitons of St. Lucia.
Founder, Margo Peyton, chose to
partner with PADI and provide a legacy
of professional leadership, safety and
quality of training to the next generation
of divers.
She has personally selected a team of
PADI Pros and PADI 5 star resorts from
around the globe, to provide engaging
interactive opportunities to immerse
your children in the underwater world.
Margo has crafted unparalleled
adventures, allowing families to bond
together, interact with local cultures,
learn history, engage wildlife and meet
like-minded families from around the
globe.
Travel with Kids Sea Camp once and
you will become a part of a world wide
network of families you will never want
to leave.
MARGO PEYTON:
CEO Kids Sea Camp Inc. & Ocean Wishes
Women Divers Hall of Fame, SCUBAPRO Deep Elite
Ambassador, and a PADI Elite MSDT Instructor. PADI
Award of excellence in training and education with over
5,500 certified kids and zero dive accidents!
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
THE KID SEA CAMP DIFFERENCE
K I D S S E A CA M P F A C T S
5,750: The number of PADI scuba
Changing lives one bubble at a time
certifications issued at Kid Sea Camp as of
We cultivate family relationships, through authentic high quality,
ocean oriented and cultural experiences that encourage kids to
engage each other respectfully in the amazing underwater world .
Through uniquely customized itineraries and educational programs, we accommodate a multitude of individual family needs.
We pride ourselves on award winning, highly personal attention
to detail, that insures safety and comfort for young divers.
We inspire kids to become more confident by building trust,
through training and exploration.
Kids Sea Camp brings together free-spirited, adventure-minded
families who want meaningful interactions connecting with each
other and the outdoor world.
Your Personal trip concierge
We are here to serve you and make sure your vacation is the
best it can be. Our Kids Sea Camp family vacations are hosted
by Tom & Margo Peyton, along with our other long time team
of PADI professional host families.
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 or a one-on-one personal dive training session,
help with a camera or demonstration with dive gear. Maybe
its getting over a fear, or just needing a refresher.
specIAl needs
We are special needs friendly. If you give us enough advance
notice and the information we need, we can make most
wishes come true. Kids Sea Camp has been able to cater to
handicapped divers, high functioning autism, hearing impaired
divers, disabled divers, and other special needs.
The primary language spoken is English, however we have a
pool of multilingual PADI instructors around the world and
with notice almost any language can be accommodated.
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
Our moral compass
16 years of taking kids diving, without a single dive
accident is not just luck, its hard work and dedication.
Our record and reputation speaks for itself. We
work with family friendly experienced knowledgeable
professionals. Yes, we have standard PADI, travel,
medical and KSC waivers, like any other adventure
sport, however it does not relieve us of our moral
obligation to keep you safe!
Safety is our #1 and fun is #2 in order of priorities.
There is no other company like Kids Sea Camp
because Margo Peyton made it personal. She only
works with kid friendly experts that she would trust
in the water with her own family.
Kids Sea Camp has grown to be one of the only tour
companies in the world to take families on advanced
dive adventures to the Galapagos diving with Sharks,
Yap to dive with giant manta rays, Palau to dive sunken
wrecks, Fiji to shark school, and the Philippines to
muck dive. We include: volcano hiking, jungle biking,
culinary classes and local outreach.
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
Jan 2015.
0: The number dive accidents in all our
years of taking kids diving.
75%: The percentage of families that
return each year. Another 20% either
send their kids for our PADI Pro weeks or
come every other year.
16: Number of years in business.
Number of countries represented with
Kids Sea Camp & Family Dive Adventures:
Bonaire, Galapagos, Cayman Islands,
Fiji, Yap, Palau, Grenada, Indonesia,
Philippines, Australia, Mexico, Honduras,
Belize, Dominica, St. Vincent, Costa Rica
Our waivers are to inform you, that we are providing
authentic experiences with real wildlife and marine
life interactions. It’s not Disney World, and there is no
plexi-glass. We provide education to families through
facts and hands on experiences, with hopes to remove
fears created by false information. Our trips require
participants to be respectful to each other and the
underwater world we are exploring. Our rules must
be followed, decisions honored and our word be
final. Safety is our area of expertise when it comes to
keeping families safe enjoying their scuba vacations.
UNPLUGGED
Enjoy your family and new found friends. From daily
dives to zip-lining, jungle biking, yoga, paddle boarding,
playing football, basketball or fly fishing, you are
spending a complete week disconnecting from your
routine world and reconnecting to each other and the
underwater world.
Special occasions
Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries or reunions. Let us
know how we can serve you better.
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
5,142: Number of dives Margo Peyton
has logged as of Feb 2016.
10: The discount percentage offered to
repeat customers, military, police officers,
fire fighters, PADI Pros and early booking
families.
15: The winds beneath our wings:
1. YOU, 2. PADI, 3. ScubaPro, 4. Sport
Diver, 5. DAN, 6. DEMA, 7. LightMotion,
8. Dive Training, 9. Diver Magazine, 10.
SeaLife, 11. Family Travel Association, 12.
Woman Diver Hall Of Fame, 13. Scuba
Diving magazine, 14. Our resorts & dive
operators. 15. Robbie & Jen (our childen)
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
OUR MISSION:
To inspire, to
educate, and
provide children
and their families
fun, safe, responsible and environmentally conscious
family scuba diving
vacations.
OUR VALUES:
We provide a
strong focus on
building lasting
friendships and
strengthening family
bonds.
THE MOM FACTOR
Because every child matters
“The Mom Factor”
Margo Peyton, has been professionally
exploring, diving and traveling the world
since 1989 guiding great adventures above
and below the sea. Once Margo became a
mother, she wanted to fully immerse her
2 children, Robbie and Jennifer into her
world. It was clear, her business would be
connecting children and families around
the globe together with educational dive
travel adventures.
www.familydivers.com
The dilemma
Margo could not find any family friendly
dive resorts. In 1999, dive resorts did not
offer much outside of baby-sitting for
children travelling with their families.
The creation
“Kids Sea Camp”. Margo created and
customized her own itineraries, menus,
schedules and with the help of PADI,
ScubaPro and Sport Diver Magazine, she
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
We nurture
relationships and
treat each other
with respect.
established her own kid
friendly ocean oriented educational scuba program. Her
goal: to connect, nurture and
grow a network of family
friendly PADI 5 star dive
resorts around the world,
who would embrace her
values, standards of safety,
and partner with her to host
Kids Sea Camp.
www.oceanwishes.org
She can be quoted as saying, “Kids Sea
Camp is not business it’s personal.” Only
those that know Margo’s passion and
tenacity would get that.
similar moral compass. Fun and authenticity come next and together ensure the
rest is easy.
Priorities
Connecting families from faraway places,
longtime friendships are forged, building
bonds across borders that are supported
and revisited again and again, just another
element of “the Mom Factor”.
Margo’s first and foremost priority is
always safety. She chooses non-branded
locally owned resorts that allow for a
direct personal trust, and strong relationships with owners whom she feels hold a
www.familydivers.com
Kids Sea Camp Magic
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
We consider our
responsibility for
both the negative
and positive impact
we have on land
and sea ecosystems,
and create projects through Ocean
Wishes Foundation to give back
to the many lives
and communities
our families touch
around the globe.
We strive to
create more
responsible, confident, well-informed
and educated
divers.
www.oceanwishes.org
A life under the sea with Kids Sea Camp
fuels passion for photography
Article by Zebedee Wakely,
junior master scuba diver,
age 13, and FDA approved
FDA: Family Dive Adventures
(not to be confused with the Food and
Drug Administration)
I just don’t know where to begin. Kids
Sea Camp is just too
big and too great to
even attempt to write
about. But here you
are now, attempting
to read my jumbled
mess of ideas and
thoughts, so I’ll give
it a go (no promises
though.)
I should probably
start with the exciting stuff, like where
I backward roll into a school of 50 plus
sharks in Yap (the country, not the small
annoying noise made by dogs) or when
I’m charging at top speed through the
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current of Ulong Channel in Palau, but
instead I’ll start at the beginning.
At the age of five, I started Kids Sea
Camping, my parents signed me up in
the group known as SASY. Little kids
get to put on scuba gear but substitute
the BCD for a life jacket, so we float
on the surface while breathing through
a regulator.This gave me my first
experience with scuba diving.
Since I was already a water baby by six
months and swimming by one, I thought
Kids Sea Camp was created just for me.
Quickly making my way through the dive
ranks, I again returned for Seal Team.This
was a landmark in my interest for scuba
diving.
Seal Team is a program for eight- and
nine-year-old kids to experience diving in
confined water. However, with Kids Sea
Camp, Seal Team can dive in the ocean. I
just fell in love with diving.
On my 10th birthday, my mom and
dad chose Yap & Palau for our family
adventure, and that’s where the real story
803-419-2556
begins.The experiences I had in Yap and
Palau were likely some of the best I will
ever have. Completing my PADI Jr. Open
Water certification with manta rays
overhead was surely one of the greatest
moments of my life.
The feeling I had when I was diving
with 15-foot mantas and some 50 plus
reef sharks daily was phenomenal, too
amazing to fully describe. Just the idea
of going there and doing that again will
forever excite me.
The encouragement given to me by
Kids Sea Camp was amazing.The families
I met became, and still are, some of my
best friends and assets to my life. In Yap,
Manta Ray Bay was where I properly
learned photography.The support from
all of my friends and family is the reason
I have stuck with it (unlike a lot of other
things I’ve tried). I loved every aspect of
Yap, from the diving, staff and the local
people.
I can safely say that experience has
significantly contributed to who I am
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
KSC AMBASSADOR: ZEB WAKELY
today.
Getting back home to Bermuda, I was
so passionate about saving sharks (with
Palau being a shark sanctuary) that I set
up a small organization called Save our
Sharks Bermuda. I collected over 1,000
signatures and met with the minister for
the environment to discuss and plan how
best to protect our sharks. Bermuda then
signed the International Agreement on
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the Conservation
of Pelagic Species.
I was so totally
delighted about
this, because I had
made an impact on
Bermuda and the
conservation of the
sea.
Having the
privilege to be
diving from a young
age is exceptional.
Through diving
with Kids Sea
Camp over the
years, I have climbed the PADI ranks
from SASY, Seal Team, Jr. Open Water,
Advanced Open Water, Rescue and
Master Scuba Diver with over 100 dives
and seven specialties.
This feels too good to describe.
Having a place like Kids Sea Camp to
go through all the ranks, all the way to
the top, is what I love the most.The
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experience has been fantastic. I couldn’t
have done what I have without it.
I have made lifelong friends and have
been encouraged by Margo in a way I
could never repay. So thank you, Margo.
Margo deserves a whole part of my
story for herself. She created the best
organization that I have ever known.
She has influenced me, trusted me and
helped me in every aspect of life. She has
guided me through diving one step at a
time, with each step.
I am even more grateful for her and
my family finding her. She is very focused
on safety and an inspirational teacher
who is helpful no matter what. She is the
heart of Kids Sea Camp!
I don’t know how to end this. So
thanks to mom, dad and my sister Holly
too. Our family of divers just can’t get
enough. Next is Fiji Kids Sea Camp to
dive with the sharks of Beqa Lagoon.
See more of Zebedee’s images at: http://
instagram.com/zebwakely.
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
PADI:
SASY: age 5-7
Seal & Master Seal
Team: age 8-9
Jr. Open Water:
age 10-14
Jr. Advanced Open
Water: age 12-14
Open water: age 15+
Advanced open water:
age 15 +
Reactivate
JR. Rescue: age 12+
Rescue diver: age 15+
Master Scuba Diver
NITROX: age 12+
Deep Diver: age15
Wreck Diver: age 15+
TRAINING
SPecialty courses:
Zombie Apocalypse,
Peak Performance
Bouyance, Coral
Restoration, Digital
Photography,
Navigation, Night
Fish ID, Alt Light,
Sea Signs, Boy Scout
Merit, Drift, Boat, DPV
Project Aware,
Shark, Whale shark
and Manta
Underwater naturalist
KSC Diver
KIDS ARE OUR AREA OF EXPERTISE
Diving and training
For 15 years parents have entrusted
us to care for the most cherished
people in their life - their children and
grandchildren That is why we choose
the highest level of quality in dive
training, and instruction: PADI.
The reality is in order 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
instructionally solid systems in diving.
Our dive programs are designed to
make learning enjoyable, safe and
educational. Under the guidance
of professional PADI Instructors,
GO PRO WITH KIDS
SEA CAMP age 18+
Dive Master, AI, EFR
2017 Kids Sea Camp’s
first IDC with Buddy
Dive!
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
www.familydivers.com
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 trained and
held to diving’s highest standards.
The kids participate in specialized
age appropriate and performancebased dive activities. They progress at
their own pace as they demonstrate
mastery of specific skills essential
to being a scuba diver. Kids will
earn their PADI certifications, in
an encouraging and well-supported
learning environment.
It is our priority to encourage
families to explore the underwater
803-419-2556
world together, while experiencing
and learning about marine life in a
safe and respectful way. 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 confirm courses meet
PADI’s high standards and divers’
expectations. No other diver training
organization works to maintain this
level of professional reliability and
integrity. Kids Sea Camp has achieved
the PADI presidents award of
excellence..
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
WeLcome to the
family “WOW” factor
KIDS SEA CAMP CREATES HUGE SMILES AND
GREAT BIG SHAKAS ON THE SURFACE
By Julie Wettstein,
Kids Sea Camp mom “WOW” is all I can think now. We are
a family of 5 that submerged ourselves
in the beautiful turquoise waters of Yap, a
tiny island off the beaten path for sure.The
island is located in the Federated States of
Micronesia.We live in Hawaii, so when I
contacted Margo Peyton at Kids Sea Camp
the bar was set pretty high for expectations
in taking a family dive vacation. She personally guided us through a magical family
adventure to Yap and Palau, and just like
her tag line says,“Give them a week we will
remember forever.” All our expectations
were surpassed.
Surrounded by pristine reefs, large
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schools of fish, and plenty of large pelagics
on a daily basis in Yap. On our list were sailfish, reef sharks, manta and even a rare baby
whale shark encounter. Not to make less of
some of the most beautiful soft corals and
amazing visibility any diver could ask for. As I descend with my family into the blue
a euphoric feeling overcomes me. But, what
is really on my mind, is the fact that all three
of my daughters are getting this experience
along with my husband and myself TOGETHER! How amazing is it to have us all
be experiencing this beautiful, untouched,
unspoiled, majestic destination together? Moments to remember forever: My youngest daughter, Emma floats
above my head and dives down for a “high
five” as she is only 7 (A sassy) right now
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and is still dreaming of the day she
can officially dive with us. For now
she is snorkeling with sharks, learning about the ocean and doing Sassy
and that will have to suffice.The
view she is getting is fantastic and
just as great as ours is, if not better
while scuba diving. She is being
circled by schools of fish and small
white tip reef sharks. She shoots
me a huge smile and a great big
Shaka from the surface and an “OK”
signal. Yeah, she is totally stoked to
be part of this!
Sierra (age 11) is out in the blue,
following in her dad’s footsteps with
her camera just waiting for that
chance to capture the perfect shot
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
KSC SPECIAL
for her memories.Take only memories and leave the rest behind for the
future. She is in her zone. Perfectly
focused and ready for the shot. Smiling and happy as can be. She signals
me a huge “OK” and I know all is
good.Another “WOW!” Her wish
granted as out of the blue comes a
juvenile whale shark, he poses inches
from her lens and she has the shot. Jos (age 14) is busy being Brad
Holland’s diving model, Brad is the
professional photographer on the
Manta Ray Bay Resort. It’s a perfect
fit — a teen diver that has her buoyancy and diving down like a master
diver. She is so into the dive that she
doesn’t even notice all of the attenwww.familydivers.com
tion she is getting by the photographer.And
for this short 60 minutes or so, she gets
to spend with the loves of her life, manta
rays and sharks. Jos is in heaven right now
and there is no interrupting her. She’s just
soaking in the experience.These moments
at Kids Sea Camp are so magical.
Jeff, my husband is taking the opportunity
to spruce up his photography skills and is
loving it. He has been spoiled having Brad
spend a week with him and share tips of
the trade. He is pumped to be using his
new found skills. And I even have a few
photos of him taking photos, which is rare
since he is always the one shooting the
photos (thanks to Brad Holland for that).
And me, I’m just thrilled to share this
unforgettable journey to Yap and Palau with
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my family.This type of experience cannot
be purchased in any store or found in some
prepackaged deal online and it’s not going
to be on a cruise ship or in a theme park. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity
created and personally hosted by Kids Sea
Camp, for us to all connect and embrace
the majesty of the underwater world.
We don’t have to say a single word.We
just look at each other and smile when
we surface.We all know what each other
feels, its written and plastered all over our
faces. “WOW” Oh my goodness, how
could it possibly get any better? Kids Sea Camp is the perfect family experience and is a trip of a lifetime. Thanks so much to Margo
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
KIDS SEA CAMP MAGIC
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE:
Football, basketball, soccer, volleyball
yoga, dance, spa, painting, poetry,
horseback riding, culinary classes, fly
fishing and paddle boarding!
KIDS SEA CAMP IS MORE THAN DIVING
We have some of the coolest
surface intervals on the planet
LAND & SEA: The 5th annual KSC Turkey Bowl
will be played in St. Lucia
THE MARRIAGE
OF LAND AND SEA:
Most families travel with us because
of their love of the ocean and diving.
However, over the years, Tom has found
that families have a few other passions
too.
VOLLEYBALL
Tom generally gets some volleying going
in the afternoons before dinner on the
trips he attends. The most popular game
is parents vs. kids.
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BASKETBALL
Tom is from the Midwest. He has been
shooting hoops since he was six, and
it’s almost a religion for him. If there’s a
court around, he will get a pickup game
going. It does not matter the country or
the language — Tom connects the world
through basketball.
THE KSC TURKEY BOWL
2016 is the 5th year of The KSC Turkey
Bowl. The football game was the only
way Tom would agree to travel over
Thanksgiving. The game is played on
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L A N D - BA S E D F U N
Thanksgiving Day in an authentic
St. Lucian soccer stadium,
complete with tailgating and
custom-designed team shirts for
all.
TOM’S PASSION & PEACE
At some point during the week
you will find Tom has gone
fishing his happy spot for peace
and passion is flyfishing. There
is always an open invitation for
anyone to join from beginner
to expert. Tom always brings a
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second rod fly fishing. (Catch and
release only.)
MUSIC, POETRY, SINGING
If there is anyone in your family
with a special gift, talent or passion,
let us know! We love to share
and learn about each other. At
the end of each week, anyone can
participate in the fun poetry night
presentation.
Contact: tom@familydivers.
com
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
Photo by Margo Peyton
www.oceanwishes.org
Women Divers Hall of Fame
for her contribution to marine
education with children and
diving. But the thing that swayed
me to participate in this program
with Jacob is that Margo and
Tom are parents who created
these family trips to enjoy with
their own kids. Initially I was a
little apprehensive. After all, we
had never met and this was a
week long committed to the
company of strangers. But I
In Jacob’s case, Margo
arranged his own instructor,
1:1, this enabled him to have his
needs met in order to make his
week a huge success.With this
level of quality care, I was able
to step back and watch him
earn his PADI Adventure Diving
certification under the tutelage
of others.
It truly was a vacation for both
of us, and not only because Jacob
was exhausted enough to sleep
ocean while I enjoyed diving with
like minded parents. I was able
to dive without concern for my
son’s safety, a priceless gift to the
parent of any child, let alone a
young scuba diver with autism.
Jacob and I reconnected each
day at 3:30 pm where I learned
all about the cool things he had
discovered. He would animatedly
explain, his eyes dancing and
arms waving, the sights of his
day including but not limited
One of my favorite things
about Kids Sea Camp was
the feeling of community, of
inclusivity, between the staff and
families.
The instructors went above
and beyond to accommodate
their charges.They were
available to talk to the parents,
joke with the kids, and answer
any questions, even if it meant
extending their day.The staff
participated in the graduation
past 6:30 am for the
first time in his life.
Each morning
started with a Buddy
Dive overflowing
buffet breakfast.
One morning Jacob
grabbed some bread,
at the approval of
the staff, and went
down to the dock
to feed the fish. His
smile and squeals
of delight as the
water erupted with
schools of fish made
the start of each day
all the better.
After breakfast
we split into our
own groups. Jacob
connected with the
other children over
a mutual love of the
to a small shipwreck, the crabs
scuttling along the dock areas,
the deep turquoise of a parrot
fish, the large pincher on the
lobster, the bright spots on the
trunkfish, and the five turtles he
saw glide by him on his dive, as if
he wasn’t even there.
The best adventure for Jacob
was the kids night snorkel off
the dock. His eyes were alight
as he shared about the huge
green moray eel and ‘Charlie’ the
Tarpon, an under-dock resident
of Buddy Dive. Due to these
amazing experiences at Kids Sea
Camp, Jacob discovered a deep
love of underwater photography.
The kids diving programs include
a class on photography and a
photo dive with SeaLife cameras.
This opened up another door
for my son to grow his love of
the ocean.
ceremonies and cheering their
students on as they presented
their poems, a Sea Camp
tradition where families write a
poem about their week at camp.
So often Jacob’s disability
makes him the odd man out,
a shy outlier in a room full of
children.At Kid’s Sea camp, Jacob
was part of the action at every
turn.
Finding Kid’s Sea Camp was
like finding buried treasure. I
didn’t know it was there until I
stumbled upon it. Now my life
and the life of my son, are forever
changed, so much so that I have
already booked our next Kids
Sea Camp to return to Buddy
Dive Bonaire.
Thank you, Margo and Tom.
Our lives are better for having
participated in your vision.
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
The treasure of Kids Sea Camp
Article by Alyson Herzig,
writer, blogger, wife and
now a Kids Sea Camp mom.
My eleven-year-old son Jacob
is a treasure hunter.Wherever
we go, his eyes dart here and
there, scanning the floor for
the next piece de resistance.
Money is usually his favorite
prize, but anything he can find
will do. Because of his autism
and ADHD, any public place can
become a battlefield as he races
to pick up new found treasures.
But no land treasure to
date has compared with what
we found when we attended
Kid’s Sea Camp at Buddy Dive
Bonaire.
Jacob’s love for underwater
exploration began with the story
of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a cargo
ship he tells me, which was lost
in the tumultuous waters of
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Lake Superior in 1975. Jacob has
toured every nearby museum
exhibit devoted to underwater
sea creatures with rapt attention.
One year, his only birthday
request was a giant Megalodon
tooth.
So it did not come as a shock
that when Jacob turned ten this
year, his only request was to
become a scuba diver.
So his dad and I supported his
quest.We were well informed
about the research on water and
its benefit to autistic children.
Water therapy is a proven
program that enables children
to block out the noises known
to overwhelm them. It provides
counter balance to help them
regulate their over sensitive
nervous systems, which may be
one reason it decreases anxiety.
Water is nature’s great equalizer
to an autistic child. By extension,
803-419-2556
scuba diving
provides
exercise, fun
and therapy,
as well as
a base to
develop life
skills and
confidence.
We hope
Jacob Herzig
that Jacob
will be
able to use his new found skills
and knowledge of the ocean
towards a long term career
in Oceanography or Marine
Biology, bridging his two loves
together.
Since Jacob and I have become
PADI certified divers, We have
enjoyed exploring reefs and
marine life in the Caribbean
Islands, however none were as
kid friendly and pristine as the
reefs of Bonaire.
email: dive@familydivers.com
I had never heard of Bonaire
until I stumbled upon the
website for Kids Sea Camp
& Family Dive Adventures, a
privately owned and operated
family business that has certified
over 5,400 children since it’s
inception fifteen years ago.
The owners, Margo and Tom
Peyton, have brought their love
of the ocean, scuba diving and
family together to create the
unique Kid’s Sea Camp program.
Their list of accolades is
impressive: Number one
World’s Best Family Dive
Vacation 2014 by Sport
Diver Magazine and USA
Today Reader’s Choice
Award Recipient, The Travel
Channel’s Traveler’s Best
Family Vacation 2015
and The PADI Presidents
Award of excellence.
Margo was inducted into The
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have always been
determined that
my hesitations will
not impact Jacob’s
needs. I wanted him
to better his world
through scuba diving,
to socialize, and to
have fun, all while
enjoying the safety
provided by Kids Sea
Camp and Buddy
Dive.
One of the best
parts, I was able
to participate in
Jacob’s camp too. At
Kids Sea Camp, the
student to instructor
ratio is 2:1, enabling
the dive instructors
to take the time to
teach the kids and
listen to their needs.
“One of my
favorite
things about
Kids Sea
Camp is the
feeling of
community
and inclusivity.”
Alyson Herzig
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803-419-2556
CARIBBEAN DIVING
“It always amuses me that the biggest praise for my
work comes for my imagination, while the truth is that there’s not a
single line in all my work that does not have a basis in reality.
The problem is that Caribbean reality
resembles the wildest imagination”
Garbriel Garcia Marquez
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email: dive@familydivers.com
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email: dive@familydivers.com
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WHY BUDDY DIVE?
1. Family owned, family operated.
2. #1 kid friendly dive staff in the Caribbean.
3. Zombie Apocalypse Diver course included
4. 1,2 & 3 bedroom ocean view villas, 2 pools,
and jump off the dock diving any time.
BONAIRE
BUDDY DIVE, BONAIRE
2016 Weeks: 06/25 - 07/02 AND 07/30 - 08/06
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 that offers
spectacular sunsets, easy diving and crystal clear water.
THE DIVING
If you really want to fall in love with diving; if you really
want to become a better diver, if you want to dive safe
and easy as a family, welcome to Buddy Dive Bonaire.
Here you can just jump off the dock to enjoy large
schools of fish, shallow wrecks and relaxed diving with
newly certified kids. The water is warm, and the viz is
amazing. The dive team here is the best in the Caribbean!
Most are parents themselves, so, kids safety is the priority.
Buddy Dive is a PADI 5 star CDC center
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THE PACKAGE
7 nights at Buddy Dive Resort. 1,2 or 3 bedroom villas, 3
meals daily, healthy snacks and educational presentations.
Dive Package Choices of: 11 or 6 boat dive packages with
unlimited shore diving. Free rental truck with 6 boat dive
or Unlimited shore diving only packages.
What’s included:
Guided night diving, pizza movie night, treasure
hunt, donkey safari, Island tour and course materials
for kids. Family sunset cruise, photo classes and
poetry presentations kayaking and Coral restoration
presentation. Zombie Apocalypse Diver, Boy Scout merit
badges(August with Woody Tinsley)
Free Nitrox, free online photo album, free prizes and gear.
email: dive@familydivers.com
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2017 WEEKS (IDC training available):
08/05 - 08/12 AND 08/12 - 08/19
FROM
$2,250
Based on 2 adults in a one bedroom one bath
condo, 11 boat dives and unlimited shore diving.
Divers education:
Sasy, Seal Team, PADI: (JOW, includes
SCUBAPRO BC) AOW, Coral
restoration, Zombie, Rescue, Nitrox,
(Intro to Tech and Tech40 for kids age
18 and up.)
Additional options:
Bonefish fly-fishing, wind surfing, mangrove
snorkel, Free diving courses.
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email: dive@familydivers.com
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BONAIRE
CORAL RESTORATION
80%: The amount of decline in hard coral in
the Caribbean.
1500: The number of coral fragments
transplanted on the reefs.
6000: The number of coral fragments grown
at the Buddy Dive nurseries.
BUDDY DIVE, BONAIRE
CORAL RESTORATION
Coral restoration
efforts to preserve Bonaire’s greatest assets, its reefs.
Since the 1980’s, coral diseases, bleaching events, loss of sea
urchins, deteriorating water quality and overfishing have affected
coral populations throughout the Caribbean.
The Bonaire Coral
Restoration Foundation
(CRF Bonaire)
The (CRF) is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated
to restoring the shallow water populations of Elkhorn and
Staghorn coral along the coast of Bonaire. CRF Bonaire was
born in 2012, when Ken Nedimyer, founder of CRF, was invited
by Buddy Dive Resort to assist Bonaire with their continued
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CA R I B B E A N E D U CA T I O N
Nurseries
If you visit the nursery, you’ll notice that the growing corals
are hanging in what seems like underwater Christmas trees. In
these “trees,” the corals are suspended so they can optimally
feed on the nutrients in the water. CRF works with marine
scientists to ensure that the corals grow strong and healthy.
HOW TO HELP
More info about the Coral Restoration Foundation can
be found on www.crfbonaire.org and their Facebook
page. For more direct contact, email: info@
crfbonaire.org
email: dive@familydivers.com
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FROM
$65.00
PADI courses can include:
Coral Restoration:
Adventure diver certification
Distinctive Specialty
Coral Restoration Day
A Coral Restoration week for certified
PADI Coral Restoration divers
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email: dive@familydivers.com
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ST. LUCIA
WHY ANSE CHASTANET?
1. Trip advisors 2015 Hall Of Fame Resort.
2. House reef offers 150 different species of
fish inside the marine park.
3. Kids Sea Camp makes this 5 diamond
honeymoon resort family friendly.
4. Jungle biking through 18th century ruins.
ANSE CHASTANET, ST. LUCIA
2016 WEEKS: 07/09 - 07/16 AND 11/19 - 11/26
THE RESORT
Nick Troubetzkoy and his wife, Karolin, had a dream to
combine St. Lucia’s mountainous beauty and sweet sugar
beaches with divine luxury which created Anse Chastanet
Resort in St. Lucia. What a sweet vacation dream it is!
Extra-large deluxe and premium hill suites underscore the
visionary, innovative, sometimes whimsical side of Nick
Troubetzkoy: in one suite, the balcony is built around a
Red Gommier tree; in another, a flamboyant tree drapes
its red blossoms around the balcony. Some have the
fourth wall open entirely to pitons or ocean views. Beach
rooms are the only air-conditioned rooms on the resort.
THE DIVING
The Anse Chastanet house reef is rated the best dive in
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St. Lucia, and is home to more than 150 species of fish.
Located inside the marine reserve this site, offers superb
macro photography, and unlimited guided shore diving
The night dive is always one of the highlights of the week.
Pizza and movie night is offered to the younger kids while
parents and teens go diving. Scuba St. Lucia is a PADI
5-star dive center and a DAN dive safety facility.
THE PACKAGE
7 night stay, 12 boat dives, night dives, daily kids programs,
Sasy, Seal Team(ocean dives), Digital photo class, free
camera use. Yoga, culinary classes, jungle biking, 3 meals
daily, tennis, chocolate tasting, sugar plantation tour, jazzy
sunset cruise, guided paddle board, afternoon volleyball
and the Turkey Football Bowl. (Thanksgiving.)
email: dive@familydivers.com
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2017 WEEK: 07/08-07/15 and Thanksgiving
FROM
$2,999
Based on 2 adults in a one bedroom one bath
deluxe beach level room, with A/C
Divers education:
Sasy, Seal Team, PADI Open Water,
Coral Restoration, Project Aware.
Additional options:
Volcano excursion
Sailing lessons
Spa treatments
FOREVER YOU renewal of vows
Culinary classes
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803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
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ROATAN
WHY TURQUOISE BAY?
1. Private 500 ft white sandy beach.
2. National Geographic PADI 5 Star IDC
center.
3. Exclusive week just for Kids Sea Camp.
4. Spring break with Tom and Margo Peyton.
TURQUOISE BAY DIVE & BEACH RESORT, ROATAN
2016 WEEK: 03/26 - 04/02 (SPRING BREAK)
THE RESORT
Welcome to Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands in
Honduras. Discover an island with authentic Caribbean
and Latin American lifestyles and warm, friendly islanders
greeting you wherever you go.
Located on the northeast shore, Turquoise Bay is the
only dive resort in this lush and remote area of the
island, providing you with a quiet and tranquil family dive
vacation.
Active guests can enjoy daily horseback riding, yoga, fishing
wake boarding, and knee boarding.
This resort sits on a hillside with spectacular ocean views
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of the calm protected 500 ft white-sandy beach, set up for
our afternoon volleyball games.
THE DIVING
The north side offers divers private, uncrowded sites, 3
boat dives daily with short rides. Subway Watersports a
PADI 5 Star IDC center, offers guests valet dive service,
Nitrox and Lion fish hunting
THE PACKAGE
7 night stay, 6 days of diving, 3 dives daily, 3 meals daily,
beverages, volleyball, zip-lining, horseback riding, PADI
courses, kids gear, wake boarding, yoga beach party, West
Bay tour and Zombie Apocalypse diver!
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
2017 WEEK: 06/10 - 06/17
FROM
$1,725
Based on 2 adults in a one bedroom one bath
15 boat dives
Divers education:
Sasy, Seal Team, JOW, Zombie diver
Additional options:
Afternoon volleyball
Lion Fish hunting, Nitrox, rescue,
PADI Project Aware, fly fishing, knee
boarding, water skiing,
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803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
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ROATAN
WHY THE MAYAN PRINCESS?
1. Offers very spacious 1 & 2 bedroom villas.
2. Diving the healthiest protected reefs in
Roatan with in the West End Marine Park.
3. Located one of the Caribbean’s most
stunning beaches, West Bay Beach.
MAYAN PRINCESS DIVE RESORT, ROATAN
2016 WEEKS: 04/23 - 04/30 AND 07/02 - 07/09
THE RESORT
Celebrate July 4th with us at the up-scale sister resort of
Turquoise Bay. The Mayan Princess offers 4 restaurants,
two huge pools running through the center of the resort
and a PADI 5-star dive center.
The Mayan Princess Dive Resort has spacious ocean front
and garden condos that make returning from a fun day of
diving at a Kids Sea Camp feel like home.
This all-inclusive KSC week includes a 4th of July cruise, a
unique trip to Gumbalimba Park and eco-presentations on
sharks, turtles and coral restoration.
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
THE DIVING
About five years ago Roatan government created a
Marine Park reserve in West Bay. Diving in Roatan has
always been good — the marine park made it great. The
protected reefs have blossomed into a wealth of fish,
turtles and diverse healthy coral.
The diving is perfect for beginners or experienced divers
of all ages with warm and clear water to enjoy.
THE PACKAGE
7 nights stay, 6 days of diving, 3 dives daily, 3 meals daily,
afternoon volleyball, zip-lining, fun in the sun beach day,
drinks and West Bay shopping trip.
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
2017 WEEKS: 07/29 - 08/05
FROM
$2,474
Based on 2 adults in a one bedroom one bath
garden villa and 3 dives daily and drinks.
Divers education:
Sasy, Seal Team, JOW, OW, AOW, and
Nitrox
Additional options:
Fly fishing for bonefish and tarpon
Deep sea charters
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803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
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GRAND CAYMAN
W H Y G rand Cayman ?
1. Divetech’s 13th year with Kids Sea Camp!
2. Kittiwake, Guardian of the reef, Stingray
City, Scooter dives, Digital Photography.
3. Seal Team, SASY & and new pool!
LIGHT HOUSE POINT, GRAND CAYMAN
2016 WEEK: 06/18 - 06/25
THE RESORT
Welcome to Grand Cayman! Divetech and Kids Sea
Camp have been working together for 13 years. Divetech
is one of the most trusted dive center in the Caribbean.
We at Kids Sea Camp are excited about the changes
Divetech has made, and know that Lighthouse Point
Resort will create unique and wonderful memories for
our families for years to come.
The resort sits on one the best house reefs in Grand
Cayman — maybe even the entire Caribbean. It is also a
great place to snorkel and enjoy a wonderful sunrise.
The condos are luxurious with lush stone and wood.
The space is expansive but comfortable and homey.
The experience is like being back in the 1800’s at an old
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Caribbean fort, but built in 2007.
THE DIVING
World famous for easy diving and quality of water,
Grand Cayman is a great dive spot any level of divers.
But because of the warm and clear visibility we highly
recommend it for beginner or intermediate divers.
Divetech is a PADI 5-star dive shop.
THE PACKAGE
7 nights and 6 days of diving, 2 dives a day, unlimited shore
diving, breakfast and dine around package, Stingray City
and Kittiwake dive. Condos will be stocked with snacks,
lunches and drinks based on guest requests.
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
CA R I B B E A N D I V I N G
FROM
$2,399
Based on 4 adults in a two bedroom two bath
ocean condo with 6 days of diving.
Divers education:
Seal Team, JOW, OW, AOW, and
Nitrox
Additional options:
Yoga, Boatswain water park, Stingray
City and Kittiwake snorkel
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
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OCEANIA DIVING
“I wish I could tell you about the South Pacific. The way it actually was.
The endless ocean. The infinite specks of coral called Islands. . . the full moon
rising behind the volcanoes and the waiting.
The timeless, repetitive waiting.”
James A. Michener
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803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
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803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
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WAKATOBI
WHY WAKATOBI?
1. Wakatobi is a life style choice.
2. Incredible place that truly values
conservation.
3. Exclusive access to more than 4 dozen
dive sites.
WAKATOBI , INDONESIA
2017 WEEKS: 07/15 - 07/29
THE RESORT
Everyone’s notion of a dream dive adventure differs.
And just incase you don’t dream much, welcome to your
dream luxury dive vacation.
At Wakatobi each dream can be catered to in order
to complete your unique and perfect family vacation.
Experience a unique mix of personalized service and
remoteness. If your a person that is hard to be wowed,
then Wakatobi is the place for you.
THE DIVING PADI 5 Star
Freedom to dive and explore as you like. With amazing
reef life just a fin kick away, families will love exploring the
4 miles of house reef together. A one to three dive staff
ratio awaits your call and will assist you with your every
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INDONESIA DIVING
need. Exclusive access to more than 4 dozen dive sites.
THE PACKAGE
7 or 14 nights at Wakatobi Dive Resort
6 or 12 days of diving, 3 dives per day, unlimited shore
diving. Dive valet service
VIP arrival service pre-immigration at the Bali airport
Round-trip air from Bali to Wakatobi.
Paddle boarding, hiking in the Bamboo Forest
Old colonial fortresses tour
Village market tour, cooking classes, spa treatment
Yoga, remote island picnics, sunset cruise, kayaking
Woodcarving classes, treasure hunt, poetry presentations
All meals, beverages and snacks
In room internet, aromatherapy bath products
email: dive@familydivers.com
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FROM
$6,200
Based on 2 adults in a palm bungalow 7 nights
Divers education:
Underwater Naturalist, Digital Photo
Additional Activities
Wakeboarding,Yog Spa Treatments,
Spelunking, Kiteboarding, Kitesurfing
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
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PALAU
WHY PALAU?
1. Manta, dolphin, sharks, coral spawning,
aggregation sites, nautilus giant clams,
mandarin fish.
2. The rock islands, Jelly Fish Lake,
WW11 wrecks, caves, culture and history.
3. Activities and diving for the whole family.
SAM’S TOURS & PALAU ROYAL RESORT , PALAU
2016 WEEK: 08/13 - 08/20
THE RESORT
Palau Royal Resort is your oasis after a wonderful day
of diving the best sites that Palau has to offer. The resort
is nestled in 64 acres of lush tropical gardens with the
Pacific caressing its white sand beach.
THE DIVING
World-famous Sam’s Tours takes you on unforgettable
daily journeys. Certified divers experience Blue Corner,
Jellyfish Lake, German and Ulong channels all in one week.
Kids and adults dive wrecks, walls, planes and caverns.
Seal Team through adults enjoy daily boat dives; including
Mandarin fish dives and Jake’s Sea Plane.
Enjoy daily beach lunches on secluded private islands, with
time to soak up the sun before your next dive of the day.
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
THE PACKAGE
7 nights at Palau Royal Resort
5 days of the best diving Palau has to offer 2-tank diving
daily, +2 afternoon dives
Mandarin fish dusk dive
German Channel and Ulong Channel
World-famous Blue Corner dive
Chandelier Cave dive
3 meals daily
Photo album
Milky Way excursion
Airport transportations
Welcome ceremony
Free Nitrox
Kids rental gear
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
2017 WEEK: 07/15 - 07/22
FROM
$2,799
Based on 2 adults in a standard room with one
queen or two double beds and 2 dives daily
Divers education:
Sasy, Seal Team, JOW, OW, AOW
and Nitrox
Additional options:
Helicopter island tour
Shark diver certification
Wreck diver certification
Ngardmau Waterfall excursion
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803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
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PALAU
P A C I F I C E D U CA T I O N
Sam’s Tours is continually working with the
local government to protect sharks from
being finned in the waters of Palau. Our
focus is on shark conservation and education.
“Palau is a global leader in
protecting marine
ecosystems.”
Alexandra Wandel, director of the
World Future Council
SAM’S TOURS, PALAU
SAVING
SHARKS
SHARK PRESERVATION
& MARINE CONSERVATION
A SAFE HOME FOR SHARKS
Palau, a small island nation in the Pacific,
has repeatedly been rated one of the
world’s top diving destinations. The
prime reason for that is its pristine
marine ecosystems, ranging from
stunning coral reefs to sea grass beds,
mangroves, inner lagoons and marine
lakes.
Palau waters are home to over 1,300
species of reef fish including 130 species
of rare sharks and stingrays, 700 species
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of coral and an abundance of other
marine invertebrates and large pelagic
mammals.
The Palau government along with Sam’s
Tours is taking action to conserve the
nation’s valuable resources by banning
destructive fishing techniques and shark
finning by creating the Protected Areas
Network, as well as the world’s first
shark sanctuary.
Former President Toribiong, during his
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attendance at Kids Sea Camp
Palau, said, “healthy shark
populations are crucial to
both the health of the world’s
oceans and the health of Palau’s
economy.” The President
thanked Kids Sea Camp and
Sam’s Tours for educating
the young divers of today on
the important role they play
in preserving the oceans of
tomorrow.
A study conducted by Australian
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scientists showed that emphasizing
the economic value of sharks as
a non-harvested resource may
be a more successful approach in
trying to protect these threatened
creatures and be an effective way
to help the country’s economy to
thrive.
The main reason to come to Palau
is to see these incredible creatures
plentiful and alive!
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email: dive@familydivers.com
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PHILIPPINES
WHY THE PHILIPPINES
1. Thresher feeding stations, dive with
Whale sharks, turtles and big schools of fish.
2. Some of the healthiest reefs on the
planet.
3. It’s the richest macro diving in the world.
4. 16 days diving the best of The Coral
Triangle.
PURA VIDA & AMUNINI DIVE RESORTS , PHILIPPINES
2016 WEEKS: 07/28 - 08/13(sold out)
THE RESORTS
July 28-31: 4 nights: Ocean Vida Beach and Dive Resort
is the place to be in Malapascua Diving highlight is Thresher
shark feeding stations.
Packed with macro and muck diving, and a healthy population
of dugongs, thresher sharks, hammerhead sharks and whale
sharks.
Aug 1-7 Dauin: 7 nights Negros Island Vida Homes
Resort.This area of the world contains 76% of the world’s
coral species, 6 of the world’s 7 marine turtle species, and
over 2,000 reef fish species. Bohol Island, located in the
northern corner of the coral triangle, puts you in one of the
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highest marine biodiversity hot spots in the world.
Dauin also encompasses a plethora of great macro diving
including diving Apo Island turtle sanctuary and Oslob Island
diving with the whale sharks.
Aug 8-13th: 5 nights Amun ini Beach Resort Oslob,
this resort sits in secluded province in Bohol.The location
is breathtaking and offers some of the best diving in the
Philippines.
.
THE PACKAGE
2017 WEEKS: 07/22 - 08/05
FROM
$4,600
Per adult for 16 nights, all meals, diving, transfer,
dbl. Discounted group air from $1300pp
Divers education:
Sasy, Seal Team, JOW, OW, AOW, and
Nitrox
Rates vary by age starting at $1,999
for kids
16 nights, all transportation, 3 meals daily, 13 days of diving,
Thresher shark dive,Whale shark dives,Whale shark snorkel,
Demo SeaLife cameras, private boats, ocean view rooms,
private guides, cultural tours and excursions.
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
www. familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
Photo by Margo Peyton
FIJI
WHY BEQA LAGOON?
1. A true bucket list diving experience
2. Tiger sharks, need we say more
3. Fiji time. If you don’t know what it is,
You need to have a direct experience to
understand the peace of the outer islands.
BEQA LAGOON RESORT , FIJI
2016 WEEKS: 07/23 - 07/30 & 07/30 - 08/06
THE RESORT
Kids Sea Camp is back to Fiji and to Beqa Lagoon Resort,
with 25 deluxe air-conditioned intimate bures, 12 of
them beachfront, spread out beneath a lush tropical
landscape. We think you may never want this magical
family adventure to end. That’s why we made it a 14-night
package with air included from LAX to NADI.
Beqa Lagoon is consistently awarded one of the best dive
resorts in the world and is on the top of our list for family
friendly destinations.
THE DIVING
It’s a short boat ride to the amazing wonderland of
marine life that is right off the resort’s shores.Visibility is
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typically over 80 feet and water temperatures stay in the
75 to the low 80s most of the year.
Beqa Lagoon Resort is a PADI 5-star resort. The diving
offers an array of soft corals, sharks and abundant marine
life. We are proud to announce our first ever
Shark School during these two Kids Sea Camp
weeks.
THE PACKAGE
7 or 14 nights, 6 to 13 days of diving and activities
PADI Project Aware Shark certification, night dive
Family diving, 3 meals daily, welcome ceremony, cultural
dances, nature hikes, village excursions.
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
2017 WEEK: THANKSGIVING
FROM
$3,875
Based on 2 adults in a standard room with one
queen or two double beds, 2 dives daily
Divers education:
Sasy, Seal Team, JOW, OW, AOW, and
Nitrox
Additional options:
The Lali Spa, Kava, Surfing
Shark School
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
YAP
WHY YAP
1. Mantas, Mantas and more Mantas.
2. One of the few islands that still have their
traditional culture intact.
3. A true bucket list adventure with some of
the greatest diving in the world.
MANTRA RAY BAY, YAP
2016 WEEKS: 08/06 - 08/13
THE RESORT
Manta Ray Bay Resort is family-owned and operated by
Patricia, Bill, Numie and Opie Acker. Bill, a Texan who
founded the Micronesian jewel some 30 years ago, has
managed to create a magical, 35-room luxury resort,
featuring unique marine theme rooms with waterfront
views.
FUN FACT: Bill Acker was inducted into the
International Divers Hall Of Fame in Oct. 2014.
At the end of a day of divine diving, Manta Ray Bay is the
perfect place to relax and enjoy time with family sharing
photos of each day’s adventures, ending with a Kids Sea
Camp slide show on the deck of the Mnuw, maybe even
dinner with Bill himself.
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
2017 WEEKS: 07/08 - 07/16
THE DIVING
Yap divers is the only PADI 5-star dive resort and teaching
facility on the island of Yap. From wild dolphins, mola mola,
mantas and sharks, adults and kids alike will enjoy checking
this off your list of best trips ever!
THE PACKAGE
7 night stay, 3 dives daily, 3 meals daily
Manta & shark dives, Mandarin fish, dusk dive, Snorkeling,
Traditional cultural events
All rental dive gear for kids,
Free Nitrox, soft drinks, juices and snacks
Late checkout and airport transfers
Stone Money bank tour,
Kids Sea Camp and PADI certifications
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
FROM
$2,900
Per person rate based on 2 adults in double
beds, all meals, transfers and 2 dives daily
Divers education:
Sasy, Seal Team, JOW, OW, AOW, and
Nitrox
Additional options:
Kayaking, charter fishing, basketball
game with the locals
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
Photo by Margo Peyton
www.oceanwishes.org
STAFF
JENNIFER
PEYTON
Jennifer has been
to almost every
Kids Sea Camp
since she was 4
years old. She
became a PADI
Dive Master in
2015. Jennifer
has logged over
800 dives.
OUR AMAZING DIVE PROFESSIONALS
PADI PROS THAT MAKE KIDS SEA CAMP NUMBER ONE
Zoe Funk joined
Family Dive
Adventures
in 2013. Her
professionalism
and love of the
ocean has made
great impact in
the office and on
island. Zoe is rescue certified and
working towards
dive master.
Husband and
wife team
Conrad and
Celilia Rucker
have been part
of the team
since 2011.
Conrad is a
PADI Course
Director. Celilia
is PADI Staff
Instructor..
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
Fraser & Sophie
have been part
of the team
since 2005.
Fraser is a PADI
dive instructor,
as well as our
SeaLife,
SCUBAPRO,
representative.
Sophie is just
perfection!
LUCY
DUNBAR
We love Lucy!
Lucy Dunbar has
been part of the
team since 2010.
She owns and
operates Columbia Scuba a
PADI IDC facility
and is a PADI
Course Director
and swim school
instructor.
SVEN
BLANC
Our Kids Sea
Camp German
rock star, “Sven”
has been traveling with us since
2011. Sven is
a PADI dive
instructor. Sven
is also a new
dad.. We love
having Sven as
one of our PADI
professionals.
OUR TEAM
MELISSA
GUARINO
CONRAD
RUCKER
www.familydivers.com
FRASER
PURDON
ZOE
FUNK
Melissa began her
adventures with
Kids Sea Camp
when she was
7 years old. She
started with SASY
and became a dive
master at age 21.
She continues to
assist at Kids Sea
Camp, 16 years
later.
www.familydivers.com
ROBBIE
PEYTON
The true dive
talent of our
family, Robbie
has over 1,000
dives already at
age 21. In 2014,
Robbie became
the second dive
instructor in the
family.
803-419-2556
CAROLYN P.
GUARINO
Carolyn Pascal Guarino has
been a part of
the team from
the start. She
is a diver, publisher and in the
Women Divers
Hall of Fame.
email: dive@familydivers.com
WOODY
TINSLEY
Woody, our
“Zombie” specialist instructor,
has been with
us since 2008.
Woody is a father,
husband and a
PADI, IDC, Master Instructor.
www.oceanwishes.org
Y E A R -RO U ND
R E SE RV A T I O NS
THE BEST WAY TO SAY THANK
YOU IS TO REFER A FRIEND
AND BOOK AGAIN!
C a r i b b e an
ROATAN
Mayan Princess & Turquoise
Bay Beach Resort
BONAIRE/ DOMINICA
Buddy Dive Resort
ST. LUCIA
Anse Chastanet & Jade
Mountain
GRENADA
The True Blue Resort &
Aquanauts
GRAND CAYMAN
DiveTech & Lighthouse Point
GALAPAGOS
Galapagos Liveaboard
Philippines
Deep down you want
what’s best for your family. . .
Amunin Ini &
Pura Vida Resorts
Sea Explorers
WELCOME TO
FAMILY DIVE ADVENTURES TRAVEL
EXPERTISE
traveling family member.
We are family owned and family
operated. We are rated The Travel
Channel’s Best choice for family
travel in 2015. Our specialty is
understanding and meeting the needs
of each individual family member
from age 5-75. We inspire families to
travel and create memories that will
last a lifetime.
Family Dive Adventures was created
for families that expect more from
a dive vacation: education, safety
personalized service and fun for each
www.familydivers.com
Photo by Margo Peyton
TRUST
Over the many years of traveling with
us, families have learned that we put
our focus on the safety and security
of your children first. We must put
our family stamp of approval on
everything we provide.
YEAR-ROUND
RESERVATIONS
We provide dive travel reservations
year round to a select group of PADI
resorts around the world, that have
803-419-2556
S o u t h P ac i f i c
YAP
Manta Ray Bay Dive Resort
FIJI
Beqa Lagoon Resort
PALAU
Sam’s Tours
met our qualifications for family
friendly customized vacations.
OUR MISSION
Family Dive Adventures mission is
to inspire families to travel and learn
about our big blue underwater world.
We want to encourage them to
become educated divers who will be
enthusiastic about sharing their love
of the ocean. We strive to help them
to become confident divers who will
protect our underwater world for
decades to come.
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
Aus t r al i a
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
In d on e s i a
Wakaboli Dive Resort
R aj a A m p at
Misool Eco Resort
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
ROATAN
ROATAN
DOMINICA
BONAIRE
Mayan Princess
Resort, Roatan
Turquoise Bay Dive
& Beach Resort,
Roatan
Fort Young Hotel,
Buddy Dive
Dominica
Buddy Dive Resort,
Bonaire
n Full-service PADI 5-star dive
shop
n All-inclusive beach resort
n 7 nights pool view
n 3 meals daily
n 15 boat dives
n All beverages included
n Kids dive age 10-17 from
$899
n Adult diver only
from$1,699pp, dbl + tax
n Full-service PADI 5-star
dive shop
n All-inclusive beach resort
n 7 nights
n 3 meals daily
n Airport transfers
n 15 boat dives
n All beverages included
n As low as $949.00 pp dbl
+ tax
n PADI 5-star dive resort
n 10 boat dives package
n 7 nights
n Breakfast daily
n Amazing land based
adventures
n Airport transfers
n Adult diver as low as
$1,287 dbl + tax
n PADI 5-star dive resort
n 7 nights, 3-bedroom villa
n 6 boat dives package
n Unlimited shore diving
n Breakfast daily
n Rental truck for week
n Price based on 6 divers in
a 3 bedroom
n As low as $999 pp dbl
+ tax
FAMILY DIVE ADVENTURE TRAVEL PACKAGES 2016/2017
BOOK THROUGH US AND SAVE FROM 5%-15%
PHILIPPINES
Pura Vida Resort
Cabilao, & Ocean
Vida Malapascua
Sea Explorers
n Full-service PADI 5 star
dive shops
n Oceanfront suites
n Ideal for small groups and
families
n Private Island
n 3 boat dives daily
n Unlimited shore diving
n 3 meals daily
n From $1,890 pp + tax
www.familydivers.com
PHILIPPINES
Amunini Dive
Resort, Bohol Island
Sea Explorers
n Unlimited shore diving
n 7-night luxury dive
resorts
n Chocolate Hills tours
n 3 gourmet meals daily
n 3 dives per day
n Full service spa
n Discounted air
n Vallet diving service
n PADI 5 Star IDC
n From $350 per day + tax
803-419-2556
PHILIPPINES
Purda Vida Dive
Resort & Homes,
Dauin Dumeguete,
Sea Explorers
n Unlimited shore diving
n 3, 5 or night, dive packages
available PADI 5 star CDC
dive resort
n Whale shark dives
n 12 paid, 1 free
n Apo Island dives
n 3 boat dives daily
n Discounted air
n From $250 + tax per day
email: dive@familydivers.com
INDONESIA
Wakatobi Dive
Resort, Indonesia
n True 5-star luxury
n Ideal for small or large
groups and family reunions
n 1 and 2 bedrooms
n All gourmet meals
n Village tours & Spa
n All-inclusive premium
drinks
n PADI 5 star
n As low as $2,030 pp + tax
n Round trip air from Bali.
+ tax
www.oceanwishes.org
ST. LUCIA
Anse Chastanet
Jade Mountain,
St. Lucia
n PADI 5-star dive resort
n Let us plan your special
occasions.
n One-of-a-kind luxury
and service
n Perfect for family
n Snorkeling, diving, kayaking,
sailing and windsurfing
n Spa and yoga
n from $1999+ tax
GALAPAGOS AUSTRALIA
Galapagos
Liveaboards,
Ecuador(All Dive Encounters fleet)
n Galapagos Sky
n Humboldt Explorer
n Wolf and Darwin diving
n 7 nights
n Free Nitrox
n Hammerheads, mantas and
whale sharks
n 4 dives per day
n From $5500pp + tax
Belize
Mike Ball Dive
Expeditions,
Australia
Ramon’s Village
Belize
n Diving the Great Barrier
reef, the Cod Hole and the
Coral Sea
n Menke whales
n Exploration of Lizard
Island
n Exciting shark action
n Dive with giant potato
cod
n 4 dives per day
n From $4,150 + tax
n PADI 5-star dive resort
n Grand suite
n 11 paid 1 free group deal
n 6 days of diving 2 morning
boat dives
n Breakfast and dinner daily
n Family of 4 $1,688 per
diver in a Deluxe Grand
Suite quad.
n Family of 4, $1,355 per
diver in a pool deluxe quad
+ tax
GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL FAMILY TRIPS OR CUSTOMIZED TRIPS
RATED #1 WORLDS BEST IN FAMILY DIVE TRAVEL.
YAP
Manta Ray Bay
Resort,Yap,
Micronesia
n PADI 5-star dive resort
n Guaranteed Manta Rays
3 dives per day, 3 meals daily
n Free Nitrox
n 7 nights ocean view
rooms
n Group special 8 paid, 1
free
n Spa, restaurant, infinity
pool and brewery
n Airport transfers
n Stone money bank tour
n Priced from $1,595 pp
+ tax
www.familydivers.com
PALAU
FIJI
Sam Tours and
Palau Pacific Royal
Resort Koror, Palau,
Micronesia
n PADI 5-star dive operation
n Free Nitrox
n Rock Island’s tour
n Oceanveiw rooms
n WWI & WWII wrecks
n Kayaking, Mandarin Dive,
Jellyfish Lake
n 7 nights, breakfast & lunch
n 6 days of diving -14 dives
n From $2,200 pp db+ tax
803-419-2556
Beqa Lagoon
Resort, Fiji
n PADI 5-star dive resort
n 1 bedroom garden view
n shark dives
n 3 meals daily
n Culture tours, kayaking
n Fire walking,
n Round trip air from LAX
n Snorkeling, kayaking
n Tiger sharks dive
n From $2,899 pp dbl+ tax
n KIDS FLY FREE!
email: dive@familydivers.com
GRAND
CAYMAN
Divetech &
Lighthouse Point
Grand Cayman
n Full-service PADI dive
shop
n Oceanfront suites
n Ideal for small groups and
families
n Kids programs
n Free dive computer use
n Unlimited shore diving
n Restaurant & pool
n From $1,890 pp dbl
www.oceanwishes.org
GEAR
OUR
STORE
THE FAMILY
DIVE STORE
SCUBAPRO
DIVE GEAR
TECH GEAR
REGULATORS
COMPUTERS
BAGS
DAN
SEABEAR
FRANKO
MAPS
LIGHT &
MOTION
BLACK LIGHTS
GOBE
PHOTO
SEALIFE
CAMERAS
THE FAMILY DIVE
STORE:
Our store provides top
choices for what we consider
to be the best in family and
planet friendly brands.
SCUBAPRO
For 50 years, SCUBAPRO
has been the leading brand in
high-quality scuba equipment
for adults and kids, making
regulators, wet suits, dive
computers keeping divers
warmer safer and more
comfortable. The biggest
complaint from dive stores
about Scubapro is how little
Great products.
Great prices.
Great service.
FREE SHIPPING IN THE US
NO MINIMUM ORDER
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
money they make on repair.
Deep down you want only
the best!
SEALIFE
Sealife has been part of the
Kids Sea Camp family for 16
years. Each year Sealife has
made their product just a little
bit better. The micro HD it
is one of the best point and
shoot underwater cameras
ever.The all new HD micro
can shoot both still and video
simultaneously with high quality
results, just like the pro’s.
Check out our online photo
gallery and see the tens of
thousands of amazing photos
and videos by Margo Peyton,
Lucy Dunbar,Woody Tinsley,
and Fraser Purdon have shot
with their Sealife cameras.
SEADRAGON
Margo will personally tell you,
she is in love with this new
SeaLife Micro, and other than
for macro, it’s what she uses
most. Its lightweight, stable,
durable and takes better
pictures than a GoPro.
KSCAPPAREL
CACTUS JUICE
MARINE
JEWELRY
We understand kids comfort,
safety and value better than
anyone.
email: margo@familydivers.
HATS/ BEANNIES
MARINE ART
ALL PADI
PRODUCTS ,
COURSES &
CREW PAKS
REEF SAFE
CALL US ABOUT SPECIAL KSC DISCOUNTS
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
OUTREACH
GIVING
BACK
OCEAN
WISHES
SUPPORTS
ON AVERAGE
FIFTEEN
DIVING
SCHOLARSHIPS A YEAR
OCEAN
WISHES IS A
501 C3 NONFOR-PROFIT.
IN 2015
OCEAN
WISHES
RAISED OVER
$3,OOO FOR
NEPAL
EARTHQUAKE
VICTIMS
OCEAN WISHES
OCEAN
WISHES
TO
PROMOTE,
PROTECT AND PRESERVE
It is our wish to inspire each other to
learn, to grow and to take action in
our own lives that will have a positive
impact on the quality of life we share
with marine environments around the
world.
Help us educate and make people
aware of the lethal threats facing our
most critical marine habitats and
what we can do to protect them for
future generations. From fighting to
save sharks, restore coral reefs and
stop over fishing, we are making a difference one diver at a time.
Education is the key.
Ocean Wishes strives to support
those pioneering the way to a better
future by supporting today’s youth
who wish to become tomorrow’s
ambassadors.
Make a wish that will change a life today. Ocean wishes provides beginner
and advanced PADI training grants to
underprivileged kids age, 10 and older
around the world. We donate scholarships for kids each year seeking
degrees in Marine Sciences, advanced
diver courses and provide funds for
marine conservation projects around
the world.
Help us educate our children and
support them to protect and preserve our oceans through granting
their wishes today.
Yes: I want to help support Ocean Wishes
Join today or make a donation online
at www.oceanwishes.org or
call for more details 1-803-419-2556
I have enclosed a check in the amount payable to Ocean Wishes
Ocean Wishes is a nonprofit, taxexempt charitable organization under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Donations are taxdeductible as allowed by law.
All donations to Ocean Wishes are tax-deductible according to law. .
25
100
500
1000
2000
Other
Please charge my donation in the above amount to my:
Visa Mastercard Discover
Card number:
Exp. date
Name:
Address:
City:
State
Directions for the donations
Code
Zip
Ocean Wishes is a nonprofit, tax-exempt
charitable organization under Section
501(c)(3) C15296 of the Internal Revenue
Code. Donations are tax-deductible as
allowed by law.
Thank you for
your support
Ocean Wishes 209 Fallen Oak, Columbia, SC 29229
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
AMAZING
PARTNERSHIPS
2017
KI DS S EA CA M P
Here’s our draft for the spring
and summer weeks of 2017.
Our passion of creating
unforgettable and unique
family dive vacations
requires a team —
working together for the
common good of family
and our oceans. We would
like to say “thank you”
to our resorts, sponsors,
PADI and all the wonderful
PADI Pros and families
that travel with us each
year. Thank you so much
for your important part
in making our vacations
amazing adventures for
everyone.
Spring break
Dominica & Roatan
Summer weeks
June 10 -17: Turquoise Bay,
Roatan
June 15- 22: and June 22-June 30:
Wakatobi, Indonesia
July 1-8: Dominica, Buddy Dive &
Fort Young,
July 8-15: St. Lucia, Anse
Chastanet & Thanksgiving
July 8-15: Yap Manta Ray Bay.
July 15-22: Palau, Sam’s Tours
July 22 – Aug. 5: Philippines, Sea
Explorers: (Malapascua: Ocean Vida
Dive Resort) , (Cabilao Pura Vida Resort),
Amun ini Beach Resort & SPA Oslob
Bohol)
July 29- Aug. 5: Roatan, Mayan
Princess
Aug. 5-12 & Aug. 12-19: Buddy
Dive Bonaire
TBA: Cayman Islands
From Tom and Margo Peyton
OUR SPONSORS
WORKING WITH THE WORLD’S BEST DIVE PARTNERS
Become a
PADI PRO:
16 YEARS CREATING DIVERS:
We have a lineup of candidates both
parents and kids ready to become
divemasters and instructors. Now is your
chance to become a PADI Profesional.
Our first IDC week.
Aug. 5-12: Bonaire, Buddy Dive
Aug. 12-19th: Bonaire, Buddy
Dive
Sport Diver
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T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E P A D I D I V I N G S O C I E T Y
DIVER
Thanksgiving
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BOOK TODAY
A 10% discount is available for reservations
deposited by August 31st, 2016 for any
2017 Kids Sea Camp weeks.
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556
email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org