The Dive Life -
Kids Sea Camp at Anthony’s Key Resort, Roatan, Honduras
by Theresa Gulledge
“So, what exactly happened to you?” I asked as I applied antibiotic ointment to the scrapes and scratches on my daughter’s arms and legs.

“Well, the coconut man told us that he would crack the coconuts for us if we got them out of the tree,” she said, beaming. “I guess I slipped on the way down.”  

It wasn’t the usual conversation that normally transpires between mother and child, but then again, nothing about this week was to be usual. As my daughter impatiently waited for me to finish applying the ointment to her hard earned wounds, I registered the look of pure adventure and excitement playing across her face.  

“Hurry, mom! The coconut man is going to leave and I want to go with the other kids to get some fresh coconut.”  

That’s the moment when I knew my dream had really come true. You see, for years I’ve wanted to do two things with my daughter, Jordon - take her to the island of Roatan to dive in the warm, clear water surrounded by playful dolphins and experience the magic and friendship of Kids Sea Camp. And now, here we were at the first Kids Sea Camp hosted at Anthony’s Key Resort on the island of Roatan in the Bay Islands of Honduras.  

There were kids everywhere when we arrived at Anthony’s Key and Jordon seemed to overcome her shyness in about ten seconds flat. Within 30 minutes, she had hooked up with Addie, Sydney, Taylor,and Jasmine, the daughters of two very good friends of mine.  As she waved goodbye and ran across the key with her new friends, the grown-ups (and, I use that term lightly because you know how divers can be on vacation) relaxed and got acquainted on the deck of the new pool … near the bar.  

Watching kids from ages 4 to 15 exuberantly embrace the magical wonders of island life was like taking a drink from the fountain of youth. As parents, we experienced the underwater world through the eyes of our children, learning to speak “snorkel” as the little ones chattered excitedly into the mouthpieces while chasing fish across the shallows. The older kids buddied-up and tackled the open water diver course as a team – studying together, diving together and helping each other master dive tables (those with an eRDP proved quite popular at these times).  

I know my daughter will kill me for this, but I can’t tell you how cute she and the others looked together in their dive gear as they performed the giant stride off the back of the boat. I can still hear her saying, “Mom, put the camera away!”  Yes, I took the shots … and I can’t wait to show them to her date on prom night.  

There was never a dull moment during Kids Sea Camp. When they weren’t exploring the reefs, the kids frolicked with dolphins, zipped through the trees, danced with the natives and hunted for treasure, which included complete sets of masks, fins, snorkels and wetsuits – all generously supplied by Scubapro. The kids were also styled-out in custom tees designed by Art by Rogest, and PADI Diving Society swag.

As you can imagine, the last day brought more than a few tears, as kids and adults alike shared email addresses and hugs while saying their goodbyes. In just one week’s time unforgettable memories were made, hearts were broken, and lifetime bonds were formed.

Thinking back now, I believe it was somewhere around day three of the event when my daughter started saying, “Mom, when we come back next year …” From then on, a lot of sentences started that way – and they still do. This is perhaps the greatest testament to Kids Sea Camp and the magic that one woman, Margo Peyton, has created for so many families to share. Kids Sea Camp is more than a dive vacation – it’s an opportunity to connect with your family and - at least for a short while - disconnect from the daily distractions that steal precious quality time from many families each day.

If you’re considering what to do for a family vacation next summer, consider visiting www.kidsseacamp.com. Tell Margo, “Jordon sent you.”