Reported By: Jay Cashmere
Summer school for students on the Treasure Coast has them diving into a new curriculum. It's part of a program designed to keep kids off the street and give them a hobby to last a lifetime.
"I love the ocean," says one student.
Stepping into the Atlantic for the first time marked the 5th straight year for teenagers participating the great program. That's Gang Resistance Education and Training.
"We wanted to give the kids a challenge something they'd be able to carry with them for the rest of their lives."
Sebastian police school resource officer Bill Jursik oversees the 13 week program during the school year and the two week summer camp where kids learn how to dive.
"If I want to know how much air you have, I'm gonna give you this signal so everybody look," says one dive instructor.
The goal of "G.R.E.A.T." is to show kids there are alternative activities other than gangs and drugs.
"Some people drink do drugs, we're all going to the same place, just taking a different road to get there and mine is a little bit healthier and hopefully those kids will see that," says Jurisk.
Their first dive was an eye opener to the "Nursery." An area off Ft. Lauderdale where nurse sharks congregate. Next was the wreck of the "Copenhagen." They were two Atlantic dives that offered practice for Epcot's living seas tank.
"What's great is to see young kids get back out doing things outside when so many kids are staying indoors with the internet text messaging everything its good to see kids get back out in tune with nature," says Captain Jeff Torode.
For a few students about to enter 8th grade, it's an unforgettable educational experience providing a sense of responsibility that's guaranteed to keep them diving for years to come.
"I worked hard to get into this and it's all paying off," says one student.
Sebastian Dive & Surf Company
(772) 581-8151
South Florida Dive Headquarters
101 North Riverside Drive
Pompano Beach, FL 33062-5027
954-783-2299,800-771-3483
http://www.southfloridadiving.com/
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