Bear Grass Science Program with Blue Region Scuba SCUBA • Self-Contained Underwater Apparatus • Individuals carry tanks of compressed air on their backs and breathe that air in order to remain under water for extended periods of time.

• A typical dive is 20 to 50 minutes long and 20’ to 40’ feet deep (10-11 year old) or 60’ (12-14 year old).

About Blue Region Scuba • Open in April 1987 • Larry & Marilee Cox- Owner / Instructors • Blue Region Scuba has staff of 15 Open Water Instructors, Assistant Instructors and to meet the teaching needs of students. • Instructors are Professionals in other endeavors of teaching, retired military, PhDs, Physicians, Attorneys, Nurses and Finance as well as being Diving Professionals. • Blue Region Scuba focuses on the diving experience of young people (10 – 90 years of age) for years

Blue Region Scuba – Youth Programs • Blue Region Scuba’s goal is safe, confident and adventurous divers. • BRS offers an active dive travel program which includes local, regional and exotic travel. • Of particular interest to young people and to the school systems are the science trips to Florida to visit the Manatees, an endangered species. On these trips you can interact with the Manatees in the wild and in their natural habitat. Project AWARE Program Goals

• To appreciate the importance of and interdependence between aquatic ecosystems. • To understand the important environmental issues concerning underwater environments. • To take specific action to conserve underwater environments. Several programs under the Project AWARE banner

• Project AWARE This is a non-diving program designed to familiarize divers and non-divers with the challenges of aquatic ecosystems around the world.

• AWARE Conservation This course teaches divers and non-divers about the world’s coral reefs and issues. Project AWARE

• AWARE Shark Conservation This course focuses on the roll of sharks. Sharks are crucial to marine ecosystems. They maintain a balance in aquatic populations but are currently misunderstood and demonized.

• AWARE – Fish Identification This course is for divers and requires 2 dives identifying local species both in fresh and salt water. AWARE Fish ID divers participate in world fish population surveys. BLUE REGION SCUBA & PADI Blue Region Scuba has chosen PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) because of their quality, value and safety. PADI is the largest certifying agencies in the scuba industry as well as the leader in ecology, diving theory, and SAFETY.

PADI was the leader in youth programs and the very first to begin teaching young ones as young as 10 years old.

PADI is the leader in diving ecology with the Project AWARE program. What Blue Region Scuba Offers

• A scuba certification from PADI - The highest rated in the program in the industry and recognized internationally. • Instructors provide information and work with the students on diving science, underwater ecology, diving physics, scuba equipment and safe scuba. • A demanding program that creates diver safety and enlightens the participants about global underwater ecosystems, dangers, and how we as visitors to this underwater wonderland can help to protect it. PADI and Blue Region Scuba

+

= What We Offer – Part 2

• We have a knowledgeable staff experienced with youth, committed to making learning to dive a safe, fun, and empowering experience • Bear Grass Charter School: A reduced price off BRS’s regular program tuition • We generally conduct the classroom sessions at our facility, but we can come to your location for the classroom sessions (with the exception of class 1)! This makes it easy to fit into regular meetings you might have scheduled. • Pool and Open Water sessions require groups to meet at our facility in Greenville.

• Tuition Regular BGCS Program Scuba Diver Class $249 $200 Scuba Diver Study Materials $85 $ 75 Log Book $19 included

• Total for both programs, including materials $275

• Required equipment - a personal system, environmental system and 10 pounds of . BRS will give a minimum 15% off retail price on all equipment items. (M,F,S,B Package discounted greater) • Admission to the scuba park is not included in tuition ($20/day) • Parents and siblings not attending BGCS wishing to be involved in this program please add $35. Time Commitment

• 1 Orientation session at Blue Region Scuba • 5 classroom sessions generally lasting 1-2 hours each • 2 pool sessions on 2 separate Saturday evenings • 2 Open Water sessions – 2 full weekend days from 9am to 3 pm (ISH) • + Homework! Each student must complete several hours of homework before each classroom session Time Frames/ Logistics • Orientation Session (1) • Classroom Sessions (5) Can be scheduled on weekday evenings, Saturday mornings/afternoons, or Sunday afternoons/evenings. • Pool Sessions (2) Pool is taught on Saturday evenings, so it does not interfere with their school obligations. • Open Water Sessions (2) Two full days. During the summer this could be two weekdays. During the school year these sessions can be over a weekend.

Class Sizes - Leaders / Parents

• Minimum class size is 4 students • Maximum per session is 8. Multiple sessions will be scheduled. • Registered BGCS teachers involved with program can join the class at the adult discounted rate. Minimum age is 10 years old to 99 years of age. Medical Issues

• Issues that are likely to preclude one from

– Epilepsy, seizures, diabetes, history of blackouts/ fainting, spontaneously collapsed lung, severe asthma / diseases that constrict the lungs.

– This is not an all inclusive list, just major points. If you have a health concern, we will be happy to send you the medical forms that everyone fills out prior to water training, so you can consult with a physician before deciding if Scuba is for you or your young person. All participants in this program will be required to fill out a Medical History form prior to the water training.

This is just the beginning of a beautiful friendship! • Questions?

Larry Cox Blue Region Scuba, Inc. 3400 S. Memorial Drive Suite 26 Greenville, NC 27834 (252) 321-2670 Telephone (252) 321-2319 Fax BRS Website: www.blueregionscuba.com BRS E-mail: [email protected] Always a good time!!! Upcoming Events

Discovery Dive Certification Classes Fundraiser December Float/Parade Dive Trip to Florida

Bear Grass Charter School Scuba Club Discovery Dive

When: from 4-7pm

Where: Greenville Aquatics Center 921 Staton Rd

Check to see that you are signed up with Ms. Jackson Scuba Club Fundraiser

Tumbler & Chair Sale

Each member will be expected to sell 10 items.

1. Choice of two style/price chairs. 2. Variety of tumblers including BGCS tumbler. Upcoming Scuba Trip

Florida Manatee Adventure

Blue Region Scuba's Manatee and Florida Springs Adventure February 26-March 1 If you have not done this great BRS Adventure, you are missing out on some great FUN! This is a trip to do again and again as it is laid back with great diving, great food and great company with the fantastic divers of Blue Region Scuba. It is fantastic to look eye to eye to one of the large Manatee and enjoy the interaction of man and animal. These big critters enjoy the human touch and will be around you wanting to be rubbed. Get your camera's ready as there will be plenty of photo ops. The Springs of Florida are just plain fun to dive. Crystal clear water and a warm 72 degree . We will venture into caverns, watch sand boil, enjoy the darkness of the caverns, watch the fish swim by and just float looking at the local flora and fauna. In the cold winter months in North Carolina, it is pleasant visiting a more temperate area.

Join in on this relaxing Adventure that will thrill the whole family. Come secure your spot on this fantastic trip.