General Information
1. Where can I find Dates & Rates? https://oceanfirst.blue/tides-dates-rates
2. What are the drop-off/pick-up procedures?
- Arrival: We recommend campers traveling by air land at either Fort Lauderdale or Miami by 1pm. All campers are expected to be at Ocean First Key Largo between 2p and 3pm for the start of their program.We do have transportation option from either airport for campers traveling by themselves.
- Drop-Off: Parents are invited to join us for the 10am Bon Voyage slideshow and certification award ceremony on the last day of camp
3. What are the age requirements for campers? 12 to 16. -and- We have counselor assistant opportunities for teens ages 17 to 19
Safety and Health
4. What safety measures are in place during SCUBA diving? Safety is our top priority. All SCUBA diving activities are supervised by certified instructors, dive masters and captains. In addition to the training, campers are provided with all necessary safety equipment. We also conduct safety briefings before each dive and maintain an instructor to diver ratio of 1 to 4.
5. What should campers do if they have a medical condition? We can accommodate and adapt to most medical conditions as long as those conditions don’t directly interfere with SCUBA Diving. We encourage all parent’s to speak to their camper’s pediatrician prior to diving.
Daily Activities
6. What does a typical day at camp look like? Students rise early for optional Morning Mako activities like art, a short hike, watching the Atlantic sunrise or prepping for their course materials. Next is breakfast in the Marine Lab Dining Hall followed by their first Activity Swap where half of the camper go diving and the other half engage in their hands-on marine science labs. Lunch is midday and the campers swap again. Around 4pm campers have a rest period to shower, recharge or take a short nap and then we transition into our evening programming which could include shoreside s’mores around the campfire, team building activities, or classroom work towards their certifications.
7. Are there any special events or excursions? Yes! We have one offsite excursion to Dolphins+ where campers will have a 1:1 encounter with rescue dolphins.
Packing and Preparation
8. What should campers bring with them? There’s an entire packing list and even more info in our Parent’s Information Packet. Essentially clothing for 6 Nights/7 Days, sleep wear, toiletries, swim wear and a book or two. Campers will need to bring their own mask, fins, snorkel and dive boots. Don’t worry if you don’t have these, we have an optional gear package that sets your camper up with high quality gear they can keep at a discounted rate. Every camper will receive a t-shirt and rash guard included in their registration.
9. What shouldn’t I pack? Electronics of any type are forbidden at camp. This includes cell phones, tablets, ebooks, smart watches, personal gps devices and handheld video games devices. Campers traveling by themselves are encouraged to bring a cell phones in case of emergency, but after safely arriving to camp and checking in with home campers will turn in all electronic devices for safekeeping.
10. Why no electronics? We believe in the power of the sleepaway camp experience. The confidence,independence, new skills and new friends they’ll make are part of the magic of TIDES. With our very full, busy days we’ve found that campers don’t need any other distractions.
Meals and Accommodation
11. What kind of meals are provided? Three healthy, choice-based meals are served in the Marine Lab Dining Commons each day. We accommodate most dietary needs and always have snacks nearby. SCUBA Diving takes a lot of energy, so keeping our campers fed and energized is very important for a successful TIDES
experience.
12. Where will campers stay? Campers will stay in either the Marine Lab Dormitories or in our brand new Bungalow Bay. The Dorms and Bungalows are separated by gender with adult supervision nearby. Our staff do not sleep directly with campers, but are in the room/bungalow next door. If your camper would prefer a gender-neutral sleeping area, we are happy to accommodate.
Registration and Fees
13. How do I register my child for the camp? Everything can be found at www.oceanfirst.blue/tides Start your registration process today. We are filling fast!
- Step 1: Apply. https://tinyurl.com/tidescamp
- Step 2: Pay. Once accepted, a link will be sent to secure payment
- Step 3: Forms. After payment has been secured, an email will be sent that included links for forms and waivers
14. Why wouldn’t we be accepted?
- The session(s) you selected is full
- Your camper(s) cannot swim
- There are preexisting medical conditions that prevent your camper from SCUBA Diving
- Your campers is younger than 12 years old as of the start of their session
15. What is the cost of the camp? $2995 This includes everything except airfare. There are additional add-ons for gear, slideshow and transportation to/from the airport to Ocean first Key Largo
TIDES ACADEMY FAQs
The Open Water Scuba Diver course teaches practical applications in math, physics, physiology, chemistry, and marine ecology. During the course, students learn to calculate pressure changes that occur during a diver’s descent or ascent, as well as explain the physiological effects these pressure changes have on the human body. Students will study Boyle’s, Henry’s, Charles’s, and Dalton’s laws and begin to understand how water affects light, sound, and thermal properties. They will also learn the properties of various gases and how they interact within the human body. Additionally, all Ocean First Education short courses are fully aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and verified by an independent third party.
Is the time commitment realistic?
The time to complete the home study, classroom workshops, and pool training is consistent with other successful programs currently offered at similar schools. If used as a science elective, all study time is supported by the allotted classroom time and scheduled pool sessions.
How many can participate? How will students afford it?
It’s best to have a minimum of eight and a maximum of 16 students, though a program could run with fewer than eight. The cost includes everything in the program, including all training materials, coursework, snorkeling and scuba equipment, rentals, transfers, and the open water trip. It typically starts at $799 per student and goes up to over $3000. The final cost depends on a number of factors, including the open water destination, number of school chaperones, and the number of students requiring financial aid.
What if more than one financial aid student wants to participate?
The cost is absorbed by the other students.
What if the schedule changes due to assemblies or other interruptions?
Make up days may be arranged for any unexpected scheduling changes.
How will it impact after school sports?
As a science elective, there is no impact on school sports since the class is conducted in the scheduled classroom time. As a club, there is a potential to conflict with after school sports, but classroom workshops and pool trainings can be scheduled in the evening or on the weekends, so most students are able to work around other commitments.
Is a two or four-year commitment too much for students?
Students can enter or leave at any point. There is no requirement to continue in the program, though history shows that most students will enroll into the next TIDES class if it is offered at their school.