Young Divers Successfully SCUBA Certified at The Florida Aquarium’s Unique Summer Camp
June 14, 2024
Share Story
Tampa, FL (June 14, 2024) — The Florida Aquarium is proud to announce that all campers participating in its summer SCUBA certification program have successfully earned their Open Water NAUI SCUBA Diver certification, achieving a remarkable 100% success rate.
Today they celebrated with a special final dive of the camp in the Aquarium’s largest habitat—Coral Reef. The campers, accompanied by Aquarium staff, dove alongside sand tiger sharks, sea turtles, giant Atlantic stingrays and hundreds of reef dwelling fish.
The two-week program began with The Florida Aquarium’s unique SeaTREK experience, designed to introduce the seven campers—ages 12 to 15—to the wonders of underwater exploration. Through comprehensive classroom and pool training provided by certified NAUI SCUBA instructors from the Aquarium’s Marine Operations staff, students are prepared for the challenges and excitement of open water diving.
All participants completed two days of open water certification dives. Each one demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication, culminating in their certification, which is not guaranteed as part of the program.
“As a parent of one of the campers, I am very proud of all the hard work everyone has put in,” said Tristin Ware, Director of Learning at The Florida Aquarium. “Our campers have shown extraordinary commitment and enthusiasm throughout their training. Their success is a testament to their determination and the comprehensive training provided by our dedicated staff. We are excited to see them apply their new skills as they explore our underwater world.”
This year’s program, which cost $1,200, was more accessible thanks to the support of our community. The Florida Aquarium’s Board Member, Dale Hoffman, generously sponsored one camper. A second camper—who is also a Junior Camp Counselor—was able to participate thanks to a grant.
To learn more about The Florida Aquarium and its AquaCamps, click here.
The Latest from The Florida Aquarium
-
February 12, 2026
Don’t Miss It! Celebrate the Long Weekend with 50% Off at The Florida Aquarium
With many students off Friday for Florida State Fair Day and most schools closed Monday for Presidents Day, families across the Tampa Bay area are enjoying a long holiday weekend, and The Florida Aquarium is inviting guests to make the most of it and even save 50% on admission up to four general admission tickets…
Read More -
February 12, 2026
First Turtles of the Cold-Stun Season Arrive at The Florida Aquarium
Facing water temperatures that plunged into the 50s following the recent Arctic blast, hundreds of green sea turtles have stranded off the Gulf coast along Florida’s Panhandle. In just the past ten days, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has rescued more than 600 cold-stunned sea turtles. FWC determined two of those turtles…
Read More -
February 12, 2026
Fifth Graders Become Field Scientists at The Florida Aquarium’s Conservation Campus
With clipboards and test tubes in hand, fifth graders from Yates Elementary School traded their desks for mangrove trails, pond banks, and the Tampa Bay shoreline as they became field scientists for the day at The Florida Aquarium’s Conservation Campus in Apollo Beach. As part of the Aquarium’s decade-long Watershed Investigations program, students rotated through…
Read More
Stay Up to Date
Want to know what’s happening below the surface? Sign up to receive our email newsletter, “The Current”, and dive into the latest news, events, and exhibit updates happening here at the Aquarium.