Page 80 - KIDS Sea Camp 2021

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 5 years, I simply would not be the same person. Seeing the world through diving has taken me far beyond what I would learn in my own school or community. It has given me more life skills, introduced me to new places, different cultures, and allowed me to learn about the world above and below 1'st hand. KSC is just one giant family! After a few trips, our family had 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 are always offering 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 apart of so many amazing activities and I made friends that I still dive with today like Kai Hunsicker and Max Lavinsky. When I was just 9, my mom signed me up for the KSC PADI Seal Team program. She was really worried about the dive gear not fitting me because I was so little. 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 on every KSC trip so I can become a better diver. I have completed my PADI JOW,AOW and I 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 have to say, 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 definitely not just for kids! Sometimes I think my parents (Beth and John Burkhard) have more fun than anyone. Margo and Tom Peyton strive to make each vacation personal and they focus on family fun for all members of your family.They even gave my parents and Kai's parents some added privacy on our Philippines trip which meant Kai and I got our own room. It was awesome! Tom usually sets up all the sporting activities on the trips like volleyball, soccer, football, and he gets everyone going with basketball too. He and Woody like to host Karaoke or ocean trivia after dinner. www.familydivers.com 803-419-2556 email: dive@familydivers.com www.oceanwishes.org