The kids gave it their all to achieve their second advanced certification yesterday (PADI Underwater Navigation Specialty) and eagerly dove in today to begin their PADI Search & Recovery Specialty.

Both individual and team perseverance is blatantly obvious as the group is completing 5 hours of diving daily this week in the near 100 degree heat.  This does not include the 3 hours of commuting and several hours of reading preparation for the next day of diving.  At the lake the verbal feedback from the kids has spoken reams about the personal transition that each participant is undergoing this week.  Each youth is growing outside of their comfort zone and personal energy limitations.

Special thanks to all of the S.T.A.R.S. staff who have given their valuable personal time to ensure the success of this week’s event.  Friday we search again for the light at the end of the tunnel and reach a week of not less than 20 dives.  The photos on the website (posted daily) tell only a small piece of the story of S.T.A.R.S. creating tomorrow’s “Guardians of the Sea”.

Thanks for reading…. we miss all who could not attend!