Giving Back To The Community

[shotthebreeze]

Hey guys,

I've been thinking about creating a Scuba club at my university for a while now. I'm going to college in Boston and I've noticed that there are maybe one or two people in each of my classes that is/are certified scuba divers.

I was at first thinking that the basis of the group would revolve around scuba trips we could take around New England and even beyond for our Spring Break, etc. But, then I got around to thinking of how thankful I am for my uncle who actually introduced me to the sport and for everyone on the board for their help. Because the group would be funded by my university, I would also like to give back to the community by offering either Discover Scuba classes or a certification class with a local dive shop not only for the students of the university, but also for the inner city kids. Depending on how much the university gives us and how much an LDS is willing to work with us, the class would be discounted for these people at a certain rate.

...And of course my colleagues and I would also go on our dives locally and I would try to plan a dive trip somewhere where we don't need our 7mm farmer johns. Hopefully we'd have enough people for a group rate

.

Any thoughts or ideas? Do you think an LDS would be eager to help? I'm interested to hear...

 

[Natasha]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Several places only require 14 for a group rate.

 

[PlayaCountryBoy]

Hey Bro, I could totally put your group a package together for Spring Break down here to dive, and I could point you in the right direction for a litlle party. Send me a PM if you'd like more info on Spring Break time here in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Check out this web page: http://www.fantaseadive.com/multimedia/beach-and-nightlife.php

 

[ClamBake]

I second the recommendation to contact Jason at www.fantaseadive.com for a great trip to Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel for Spring Break. Some of the best and most varied diving in the world (reefs, walls, cenotes (caverns) and crazy marine life), a great place to spend Spring Break, and pretty inexpensive flights from Logan to Cancun!! I'm heading there myself in January and will be diving with Jason!!

As for a local dive shop, I would HIGHLY recommend that you contact Margaret Estabrook at United Divers in Somerville. (617)666-0410 www.uniteddivers.com United Divers has a fantastic training program, a highly qualified and experienced staff and has worked with lots of local colleges (I know that they currently run a ton of classed at MIT using the MIT pool) and has run programs for local high school kids in the past (I was one of them 20+ years ago)!

Your idea is an awesome one!! I think United Divers would be interested and if you need any outside support or help putting this together I would be happy to help in any way - including putting on my day job (attorney) hat!!

Good luck and keep me posted.

- Rob

PS - Tell Margaret that "Robbie" recommended you call.

 

[shotthebreeze]

I second the recommendation to contact Jason at www.fantaseadive.com for a great trip to Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel for Spring Break. Some of the best and most varied diving in the world (reefs, walls, cenotes (caverns) and crazy marine life), a great place to spend Spring Break, and pretty inexpensive flights from Logan to Cancun!! I'm heading there myself in January and will be diving with Jason!!

As for a local dive shop, I would HIGHLY recommend that you contact Margaret Estabrook at United Divers in Somerville. (617)666-0410 www.uniteddivers.com United Divers has a fantastic training program, a highly qualified and experienced staff and has worked with lots of local colleges (I know that they currently run a ton of classed at MIT using the MIT pool) and has run programs for local high school kids in the past (I was one of them 20+ years ago)!

Your idea is an awesome one!! I think United Divers would be interested and if you need any outside support or help putting this together I would be happy to help in any way - including putting on my day job (attorney) hat!!

Good luck and keep me posted.

- Rob

PS - Tell Margaret that "Robbie" recommended you call.

Thank you for your kind words! I'm in the process of seeing what Jason can come up with and I was looking at the United Divers website today. They look like a friendly bunch, especially with the free pool sessions for the youngsters. I'm going to discuss it with a few of my friends this week and see if we can't get something started. Any other ideas would be helpful as well!

 

[BidAndDive.com]

Hey,

Very nice! I wish someone did this for me when I was a kid in NYC. I definitely think that you should watch out for the liability stuff though.

 

[diversteve]

I definitely think that you should watch out for the liability stuff though.

I thought of that too but -

Because the group would be funded by my university

doesn't that move the liability to the University? Not to mention who has the deeper pockets...And she's already got an attorney/diver(Clambake) to sort that out.

I think it's a great idea...