Opportunity Details
Dive and Snorkeling Event in the Florida Keys
AMIkids is looking for volunteer SCUBA Professionals interested in supporting our 2024 Marine Challenge in the Florida Keys.
We need certified, current and insured experienced SCUBA Professionals who are philanthropic and passionate about giving the gift of diving to at-risk youth.
Dates of travel are July 15 - July 19, 2024, location is the John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, FL.
AMIkids will cover accommodation and transportation expenses.
Requisites:
- Current and renewed Certification as Divemaster or Above
- Current and renewed Professional Liability Insurance
- Current and renewed CPR / First Aid
- Ability to pass a swim test
About the Event:
The annual AMIkids Presidential Dive introduces youth to the underwater world and allows students who have earned the opportunity to participate a chance to explore different animals, habitats and most importantly become open water certified by the completion of the weeklong event.
Every year more than 50 youth and 40 staff spend three days becoming more familiar with the Key Largo region and the pristine waters that are home to species of all shapes and sizes along with exotic plant life. Students were able to apply everything they learn in the classroom over months of preparation and good behavior and begin to truly understand how the deep blue environment functions.
The presidential dive trip also provides time for youth and staff from multiple programs a chance to interact with one another developing lifelong friendships. Through these newly formed friendships, students and staff were able to assist one another in different diving exercises and begin to understand that nothing could stop them as long as they applied themselves and encouraged one another to reach their full potential.
The trip closes with an awards ceremony and dinner for the youth presenting them with their diving certifications and complimenting them on their hard work throughout the week.
What we do:
Marine Education has been at the core of AMIkids programming from the beginning. The organization started as a conglomerate of “Associated Marine Institutes (AMI)” and focused heavily on marine, experiential and vocational education.
This unique combination of education, behavior modification, and treatment in a family atmosphere with caring staff has been extremely successful and we continue to use it today for a number of reasons:
- Kids who participate in experiential learning form a stronger bond with their teachers, therapists, and other staff. Those bonds help us to serve them better.
- Marine education opportunities are used as incentives for youth who are working toward academic and behavioral goals. This motivates them to focus on achieving those goals and sets an example for their peers.
- Marine education also allows a shared anchoring point in unfamiliar environments. By offering the opportunity for a mutual start and leveling the playing field, we achieve real-world contexts and develop life skills.
- Marine education is also an opportunity for vocational discovery. The ability to connect ideas through hands-on allows students to follow unique interests and explore potential lifelong career goals.
About AMikids:
AMIkids helps at risk-youth and juvenile offenders through multiple avenues. With 44 programs in 9 states, 136,000 youth and 50 years in operation the organization provides programming in multiple models including marine education, alternative schools, family centered therapy, residential facilities, vocational training and job placements.
Age Minimum (with Adult): 18+, Minimum Age:18+
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