Kids Programs

Jr. Open Water Divers on a boat dive

In the Seattle area we offer three programs for kids.
1. A pool only experience program called the PADI Seal Team - for ages 8 - 12
2. The Jr Open Water Diver program - a full certification option for ages 10+
3. Weeklong Snorkel/Scuba pool programs with the Seattle YMCA for ages 8 - 12

PADI Seal Team Experience Program

Ages 8 - 12 - in the pool

A fun and safe way for kids to get started in diving.

Cost: $150
Includes three Saturday afternoon sessions, the Seal Team activity pak, and use of all the equipment needed for the program.

This program is conducted over the course of 3 Saturday afternoons. We will conduct Seal Team Aquamissions 1 - 5 as well as work on snorkeling skills.

June 27th, 2009 Aquamission 1 & Snorkeling skills

July 25th, 2009 Aquamission 2 & 3

August 22nd, 2009 Aquamission 4 & 5

In the PADI Seal Team program kids learn the basics of scuba diving. In the first Aquamission, Seals learn how to breathe underwater, learn about their air gauge and practice hand signals. In Aquamission 2, they build on their scuba skills (practicing regulator skills, becoming more confident divers and great PADI Seal Team buddies). The third Aquamission includes more exciting skills (mask clearing, octopus breathing and hand signals). In the fourth Aquamission, Seals learn what it's like to to be weightless (bouyancy) - just like an Astronaut in space! Aquamission 5 is the last step in becoming a PADI Seal Team member. In the last Aquamission, we review what the Seals have learned, and add some fun surface skills.

Some minimal homework is required at home prior to each Aquamission. This program is limited to small sizes for maximum safety and participant comfort, typically 6 - 8 with a staff to student ratio of 2:1 any time our young divers are out of the shallow end.

Participants should have basic swimming ability.

Junior Open Water Diver Program

Ages 10 - 12 pool and open water
Ages 13 + can join our regular pool and open water training

The minimum age for certification is 10 years old, but for these younger kids we like to conduct the program slightly differently. The major difference is group size, for these ages we limit the max divers in a group to 4, with no more then two 10-11 years old in a group.

We also conduct the training over multiple evenings as the usual time frame (7pm - 11pm) runs too late for kids. We split the training out over at least 2, but typically 3 - 4 shorter evenings.

Cost: The same as our typical Open Water training. We do these privatized programs for kids at no extra charge. Click here for Open Water pricing.

Schedule: The training would be on Wednesday or Thursday evenings, spaced out as needed. Please contact us to arrange this training.

Ages 10 - 11 special restrictions.
After certification Junior Open Water divers ages 10 - 11 must follow some extra restrictions.
1. They must dive with either a parent/guardian or a PADI professional - Divemaster or Instructor.
2. The maximum depth for these dives is 40ft, as opposed to the usual Open Water depth limit of 60ft.

YMCA Snorkel & Scuba Camp
Ages 8 - 12 - in the pool

For the past 4 years Seattle Scuba has partnered with various branches of the Seattle YMCA to offer weeklong snorkel and scuba camp programs. Participants spend the morning in the pool learning the basics of snorkeling and scuba diving, in the afternoon they participate in other activities under the supervision of the YMCA staff.

Of the first day of camp all participants will spend the pool time practicing snorkeling techniques and playing games that encourage water comfort and safety. On the second day an introduction to scuba is completed, and everyone has a chance to try diving in the shallows. On subsequent days kids alternate time on scuba and snorkeling while learning some of the basic scuba skills and having a really fun time! The scuba portion of this program typically corresponds to Aquamissions 1 - 3, for kids who return for a second year Aquamissions 4 & 5 are typically completed.

In 2009 we will be conducting two weeklong half day programs with the Seattle YMCA.

July 27 - 31 with the University District YMCA
August 3 - 7 with the Shoreline (Dale Turner) YMCA

Please contact the Seattle YMCA directly for registration information and camp costs.

Splash - Scuba camp instructor

Grumpy and Moonsnail, Jr assistant

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