Kids Sea Camp

THREE CATEGORIES OF ADULTS

With the kids off playing with dolphins, sea lions and sea stars, the adults had the day to themselves. Adults fell into three main categories. The hard-core “dive or die” group escaped, guilt-free, every morning, every afternoon and even some nights. The “one more cup of coffee” contingent reviewed their options  before diving in. (Sometimes the discussion lasted till noon, and then lunch became the obvious choice.) Lastly, there were the “ask me again later” folks, whom you would have to wake up from a nap under a palm tree or pry away from a good book if you really wanted them to pursue a plan. I can’t honestly tell you which of the groups was preferable, but I can tell you that over the years I have traversed all three like an expert.

The Infamous “Mom Who?”

While the parents pursued their activities, the kids had their fish ID lesson of the day, made colorful marine mobiles out of plastic bottles, were introduced by name to the resident life at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium and, of course, got wet. The Animal Encounters lagoon is right out of a parent’s wish list.

I wish my kids could experience fish, turtles and sharks in their natural habitat without dealing with dive boats, currents and open water. I wish there were a shaded area for suiting up and down, ladders for easy entry and lots of observation decks for curious grown-ups.

That wish was granted thanks to Dutch, the visionary behind Curaçao’s Sea Aquarium and Royal Resorts next door. Bubble Maker, Seal Team and Junior PADI Open Water certifications are scheduled each day in the Royal Resorts’ pool and the Animal Encounters Lagoon. Here, children are introduced to scuba with age-appropriate PADI programs. By 4:30, when camp officially ended, you might imagine that the kids would’ve had enough of the water. What really happened is that the counselors were in the pool with the kids at the designated pick-up time, having too much fun to check the clock. That’s how the now-infamous expression “Mom who?” was conceived.

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