Page 27 - KSC Magazine 2020

Hunter through the years
takes right over. Sam and Hunter love zero gravity, and that little kid that 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 and, coming up this month, Belize, and then our first liveaboard Kids Sea Camp in Socorro Islands is planned for this December.
Some of those KSC places have seen our faces more than once. Each time we go, we reconnect with families we have met before and meet new ones.We have watched as our kids (and other families’ kids) have transi- tioned from SASY to Seals to JOW to AOW 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 that 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 special local, family-owned operation for her to feel safe entrusting “her kids” in the underwater world.
Margo is a PADI instructor whose whole life is dedicated to keeping kids safe while teach- ing them about the ocean.All of the resorts are PADI five-star dive centers.
Then there are the extras that are included, like private boats, kids dive gear, private in- structors and even Margo and Tom.There are other things to do, like zip-lining, chocolate tasting, spas, jungle biking, beach volleyball, fire dancers, sunset cruises and cultural excur- sions.
Kids Sea Camp is more than just diving. Learning underwater sign language (yes, there is a useful course on that), learning to use SeaLife cameras, learning about coral reef restoration and understanding our impact and role as responsible divers.
Then there is the tradition of family poetry writing. Inspired by the SeaLife camera prizes, Andy sets out to write about this magical journey at each destination, the highlights of the week, the precious 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.And when Andy reads his poems, he is always choking back emotion and tears, as is the entire group.
You see, it was wreck diving off the coast of North Carolina that brought us together 28 years ago, and it’s Kids Sea Camp that rekindles that with the perfect family dive vacation.
Sam through the years
www.familydivers.com
803-419-2556 email: dive@familydivers.com
www.oceanwishes.org