Scuba Rangers: A Way Cool Kids Club!

The Scuba Ranger pledge:
"As a Scuba Ranger and a member of the diving community, I pledge to have fun, continue my diving education, protect the aquatic environment, dive responsibly, and participate in my community, my family and my future in a positive way."

What is Scuba Rangers?
It is simply the best way we've ever seen to teach 8 to 12-year olds solid water comfort, good water survival skills, personal responsibility, and good citizenship, to boot. Scuba Rangers is an adult-supervised pool scuba club for kids and the Ranger pledge (see above) says it all.

How does it work?
The scuba ranger program begins with 5 successive modules: Red Ranger, White Ranger, Blue Ranger, Silver Ranger, and Demo Ranger. Each module is typically completed in one pool session. The first module emphasizes pool safety, personal water responsibility, rescue skills, and snorkeling, with a brief introduction to scuba. Each successive module reviews the safety/responsibility issues and then introduces more scuba training. By the final module (Demo Ranger), students can generally demonstrate good competency with beginning scuba skills. In fact, Rangers are encouraged to invite family members and close friends to this module, where they proudly show what they have learned, and where they are awarded their certificates of achievement.

After completing the initial 5 modules, the rangers may then elect to complete more specialty training in select areas (Navigation Ranger, Night Ranger, Computer Ranger, Photography Ranger, etc.), moving towards the top scuba ranger rating of Master Scuba Ranger. Or they may just elect to come to the scuba ranger club meetings and enjoy the social and good citizenship activities of the organization.

What does it cost?
Because of the equipment-intensive nature of this program, it can not be inexpensive. However, the value received in solid water training and development of personal responsibility and positive community interaction is exceptional.
Here is a breakdown of expenses encountered by each ranger:
* Each Ranger must provide his or her own mask, fins, snorkel and Ranger Home Study kit. Decent quality snorkeling gear will start at around $70. The home study kit is $49.95. Parts of this kit can be shared by family members or close friends.
* The cost of the initial 5 modules is $195, and includes pool time and facility fees, instructor fees, and all scuba equipment for five 2-hour modules.
* Continuing Ranger activities are typically charged at $15 to $30 per event, depending on the activity. This covers use of pool, scuba equipment, and leader fees.

When a current ranger turns 12, earning the Junior Open Water scuba certification will be easy. The Ranger must still take the complete Open Water Course, but the pool fee is reducted from $240 to $150 for Scuba Rangers.

How do we get started?
First, assure yourself that your child is both physically and mentally ready for this program: general good health, basic comfortable swim skills, and a reasonable attention span are required of each ranger candidate. Next, come pick up the snorkeling gear and Ranger Home Study kit and choose the start night for the program. Then feel free to stay as involved with this program as you care to. Please call us for current Ranger schedules.

Active Ranger Moms and Dads are a vital part of this activity.

Here's the Full Ranger Schedule for Winter/Spring - 2008