For Parents
Social dynamics and interaction with teens at Hawaii Sea Camp.
At Hawaii Sea Camp we run a SCUBA diving intensive program. Your child will achieve a minimum of 16 SCUBA dives and 5 snorkeling sessions (for example our dolphin programs are on snorkel). SCUBA diving requires a lot of responsibility and higher levels of understanding, there is a heavy emphasis put on teamwork and trust within buddy teams.
Because the kids not only have to achieve these traits while at Hawaii Sea Camp they have to share in them and therefore they find a common bond and respect that they will never find at school or in the neighborhood amongst such a wide variety of social dynamics. Kids learn how to understand and work with others, and they learn to respect others.
At Hawaii Sea Camp buddy teams are made up in age group 12-14, 15-16, 17+, and even with age we watch social barriers break down. Planning a dive with your buddy takes trust and mutual cooperation, working with a group of four getting ready to launch under water propulsion vehicles, and cruise along an outer reef wall, takes a lot of teamwork effort and focus. They share in big adventure, teamwork effort, mutual respect and cooperation. One parent said to me, “My son grew up more in two weeks at your summer camp than he did all last year”.
Accommodations
At Hawaii Sea Camp we begin and end our diving trips by staying at a beautiful South Kona private camping facility that over looks the ocean. This is a great facility equipped with great campsites, toilets, showers, big kitchens, vegetable gardens and fruit tree orchards, wide-open outdoor gathering areas and proper teaching facilities. At midway we camp for a few days at a county campground right on the beach, where dolphins greet us in the morning and manta rays in the evening, waking up and camping right on the beach is a great experience. All county campgrounds provide separate toilet and shower facilities, cooking areas and security.
Hawaii Sea Camp provides all camping equipment except pillows.
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Safety and Insurance Considerations
All of my staff and myself are at a minimum CPR and First Aid qualified and each group is equipped with extensive first aid kits and oxygen kits. All staff members obtain PADI professional liability insurance policies. Staff to student ratios are 2 staff to 6/8 students. While being transported in the van all passengers are covered with medical liability protection. While kayaking students wear pfd’s and helmets.
Hawaii is in the USA and it is very safe. Towns are clean and safe places. In Hawaii Sea Camp alcohol is strictly forbidden and access to it is difficult , due to the 21 year age requirement of the US. In Hawaii if accidents do happen proper medical facilities and attention can be applied and provided. Summer is the best season to dive in Hawaii, the weather is nice, ocean water very clear and storms are almost non-existent.
All students must purchase divers insurance for themselves from D.A.N, for the duration of their stay at Hawaii Sea Camp.
Group Sizes
12 to 16
Staff to student ratio 1-4
Student Understanding
Hawaii Sea Camp provides a marine science educational experience with emphasis on SCUBA diving, and marine science as well as teamwork and leadership development. You should expect to be part of the team upon arrival, and fully participate in all aspects of running the expedition, ready to share in the work of dive preparation, science activities, cleaning and contributing positively to the group experience.
You are required to maintain an atmosphere of respect with your other participants and staff. You will be required to take care of the camps equipment and maintain a clean environment in your living quarters. It is strictly forbidden for participants to use or possess tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, or non-prescription drugs. Ramifications of violating these rules on alcohol, tobacco or drugs could be extra duties, loss of dive time (being beached) or termination from the program.
At Hawaii Sea Camp we promote a non-competitive atmosphere. Students are encouraged to work with each others strengths and not exploit the weaknesses of others. Programs are geared for both teens and college students. Expedition assignments are based on age, we have groups such that each expedition has a tight age range. Three to four students of the same-sex are assigned to each tent or cabin, and sleeping accommodations include cushioned mats and sleeping bags. |
