Learning from diving - Books by Eric Douglas

Last Thursday and Friday, seven teens were certified to dive in Key Largo, Florida. I have no doubt that is an extreme understatement, but, these seven teens were a bit different than the average teen learning to dive. They were all foster kids.

Family Support Services of Northern Florida (an organization that administers the foster care programs in several counties) taught the students to dive as they were about to “age out” of the system. In just a few months, each of these teens would be 18 and no longer covered by the foster care system—effectively out on their own. (From what I understand, Florida has a great support program beyond 18 years old, but their foster families are no longer paid to house and support them.)

A friend I’ve known since elementary school happens to work for the program and invited me to speak to the kids and go diving with them. I hope the kids learned something from what I talked to them about; I’m sure I learned from them.

While the kids were learning to dive and appreciate the ocean and the wonder of a clear water and marine life all around, they were also learning bigger lessons. They were learning about team work and supporting their buddies. They were learning about responsibility. And they were learning about setting goals. None of these kids have had it “easy”. They’ve grown up without parents. They’ve grown up without family. I’m sure counselors could tell me all the things that does in a person’s mind even when things go relatively smoothly. There is no way it is a good thing for your self esteem.

But these kids had a spark about them, and they were excited. I asked a couple of them if they were nervous about diving off of a boat – thank you Ocean Divers in Key Largo – and they said yes, they were, but they immediately launched into how excited they were to be there and how much fun they were having. It was a whole new world for them.

My talk was about diving, traveling and the opportunities that can come through working in the diving industry. But I also hope I got across the message that whatever they care about—whatever it is that makes them excited—there can be a future in that as well. In diving, there are engineers, designers, graphic artists, marketing people, accountants and every other job description you can think of. Every company needs business people to make it run. I encouraged them to figure out what it was that excited them and to figure out how to apply their own talents to it.

I came away from my time with this group of seven kids energized. They were so excited and happy to be learning to dive. Better yet, they saw opportunities and potentials. They had learned their lessons of responsibility and leadership. They had also learned to look out for each other. Was it perfect? Not hardly. My hat’s off to the chaperones, by the way. I would not have wanted to deal with those seven kids that far from home. But the kids taught me to keep focused and keep moving forward. They weren’t letting the challenges they have faced stand in their way.

So, when I want to complain or let someone else’s anger and negativity get in my head, I’m going to think about those kids. And I’m going to get excited!

Check out this Youtube video about the SPLASH program.