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What is SCUBA for KIDS?

We think it is simply the best way  to teach kids beginning at age 8 solid water comfort, good water survival skills, personal responsibility, and good citizenship, to boot.  SCUBA for KIDS begins with Seal Team, an adult-supervised pool oriented scuba club for kids ages 8 to 12 and provides them events and activities designed to foster in them a love of the ocean environment and help them to progress to fully certified scuba divers.

The overall program is conducted under the international standards of PADI with additional material and information provided by Project AWARE, a non-profit organization striving to protect the aquatic environment by educating the public and fostering a sense of stewardship in the public for these valuable resources.

How does it work?

The qualification program consists of the Seal Team's five educational modules and each module is usually completed in one pool session. The first module emphasizes pool safety, personal water responsibility, rescue skills, and snorkeling, and an introduction to scuba. 

Each successive module reviews the safety/responsibility issues and then introduces more scuba training.  By the final module students can generally demonstrate good competency with beginning scuba skills.  SCUBA for KIDS participants are encouraged to invite family members and close friends to this module, where they proudly show what they have learned, and where they are awarded their certificates of achievement permanent recognition card as a PADI Seal Team Member.

Seal Team qualifiers may then elect to complete more specialty training within our SCUBA for KIDS program, in select areas (Navigation, Night, Computer, Photography, etc.), moving towards the top rating of Master Seal Team.  These training events occur approximately every other month and are combined with other social event and activities designed to develop their skills, a sense of the outdoors with a definite conservational bent.

What else can they do?

Glad you asked.  Our staff loves kids and really wants the to understand and appreciate the underwater world.  They want them to go diving with other kids and their parents and be the best buddy they ever had.  So, we create events and opportunities for them to learn about the underwater and water world and to participate according to their skill levels.  We create events and activities that encourage participants to appreciate the flora and fauna they encounter, from walks and clean-ups to snorkeling and diving for qualified participants, we do everything we can to get them focused on the outdoors and keep them engaged in the water world. For more information see our Events Calendar.

What does it cost? 

Here is a breakdown of expenses encountered by each participant:

• Each participant must provide his or her own mask, fins, snorkel and PADI Seal Team Home Study kit.  Decent quality snorkeling gear will start at around $60. The home study kit is $69.95. The cost of the initial 5 modules is $225, and includes pool time and facility fees, instructor fees, and all scuba equipment for five 2-3 hour sessions.
   
• Once meeting SCUBA for KIDS entry qualification, the individual is a part of our ongoing SCUBA for KIDS program and participate in bi-monthly meetings at the aquatic center, the dues are $180 per quarter.  The cost of supervision, pool entry and use of scuba equipment is covered by the quarterly dues.
   
• Periodically, particularly during the warmer months, there are SCUBA for KIDS Outings,  participants qualify to attend based performance and some activities are restricted by age.  Cost for these events are additional and based on the costs associated with the event.  See our Events calendar for more information.
   
• As the participants progress they may wish to pursue full scuba certifications and subsequent specialty training.  Obviously, these programs are priced separately.  The advantage for SCUBA for KIDS participants is that they have had the opportunity to develop skills gradually and can make the transition with much greater ease.  Generally the same instructors that worked with them in SCUBA for KIDS are there to help them move through the full certification program.

How do we get started?  

First, assure yourself that your child is both physically and mentally ready for this program: general good health, basic comfortable swim skills, and a reasonable attention span are required of each ranger candidate. Next, come pick up the snorkeling gear and PADI Seal Team Home Study kit and choose the start date for the program. Then feel free to stay as involved with this program as you care to. 

Active SCUBA for KIDS Moms and Dads
are a vital part of this activity.

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