Gear drive For the N.A.C.D

[RH]

The NACD is having a gear drive we are giving the gear to the scuba scouts there ages are 12 to 18.They are in need of gear and donations thay are working with fla fish and wildlife doing fish counts and reef work.They are doing spring dives and studing the aquafer.Please check out the web site http://scubascouts.org/ for the full story. If any of you guys and girls can help that would be great my email is richardf_hicks@hot mail.com
:D

Thank you
Richard Hicks Public Relations NACD

[Cindy]

Hey Richard, I just emailed you. I have a few things I can donate. Any size idea? Where do you want the stuff taken to? Good job, Cindy :)

[RH]

I will be collecting the gear Any body coming to the cds convention I will be at the NACD booth all others I will arrange a pick up or a drop off again thank you very much this will mean alot to them. :D

[Jordan]

I've got two sets of fins that would fit someone with a large foot (I wear size 12).

[jammer]

Is this a Gear Dive or a (GEAR DRIVE)?

[RH]

The fins would be great anybody can call me to make arrangements at 727-224-2372 or Email me see above post. :D

[cavdiver2]

If anyone is near Spring Hill I can collect anything your donating. I can be reached at 352.263.1155.

Michael McDonald
NACD Publications

[Lgreen]

The NACD is sponsoring a gear drive for the SCUBA Scouts of Central Florida. The SCUBA Scouts Program, founded in 2001, provides dive training and scientific diving opportunities for those between the ages of 12 to 18. Participants in the Program dive a wide variety of environments, including the springs of North Florida, while involved in various research and conservation efforts. Further details are included below and you may review the website at www.scubascouts.org

The SCUBA Scouts are in need of equipment and funding to broaden their ranks. This Program opens its doors to troubled teens in an effort to provide a wholesome and structured activity for those who otherwise would not have such an opportunity. As a nonprofit organization, SCUBA Scouts is dependent on donations of funds and equipment to meet its participant’s needs. You have the opportunity to help assure that nobody is turned away from this Program due to a shortage of required dive gear.

The NACD is soliciting donations of open water SCUBA gear for the benefit of this Program. All gear collected will be given to the SCUBA Scouts at their June meeting. Please take a few moments to sort through your closet for any extra open water gear you may wish to donate. Anything you wish to give will be much appreciated.

You may give the gear to
Richard Hicks – 727-865-2951 St. Petersburg, Florida
Larry or Debra Green – 386-497-3494 – High Springs, Florida
Michael O’Leary – 386-961-8075 – Lake City, Florida
Jeff Bauer – 850-656-3864 – Tallahassee, Florida
Jay Wells – 561-746-6394 – Tequesta, Florida
Johnny Richards – 386-935-4186 - High Springs, Florida
Michael McDonald – 352-686-4645 - Spring Hill, Florida
James Hurley – 407-331-1041 – Maitland, Florida

Or any other NACD BOD member who will assure that it is provided to the SCUBA Scouts for their use.

Thank you
Richard Hicks
NACD Public Relations

Debra Green
NACD Operations Manager

The SCUBA Scouts have been providing project leadership for the Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Program (CREMP) in the Tampa Bay, Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys since the inception of the SCUBA Scout program in 2001. To prepare for these sizeable projects, the SCUBA Scouts train in Advanced SCUBA and scientific diving to observe underwater phenomena relating to artificial coral reefs and to acquire scientific data. They receive training and mentorship from notable marine biologist Walter Jaap of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and other professional research scientists and graduate students conducting research as part of the National Marine Sanctuary Program.

[wallacm]

I am an active adult in the Scuba Scouts. We have many different projects that we are currently working on. They consist of fish counts, studying the growth of reefs, taking samples of water and etc. On May 29, we are going on an Underwater Research Vessel for 8 days to transplant coral, and study the effects of hurricane damage on Florida's reefs. During the winter season, we mostly work in the North Florida Springs, taking water samples and studying the limestone.

The Scuba Scouts have a wide range of ages. To become a member in the Scuba Scouts you need to be 12 years old. This program has been running for 4 years now. USNR Captain David Olsen began this program as part of a High Adventure Scouting Program. Over the past four years, the program has grown, and we are now accepting kids between ages 12-18. (Of course parents are welcome too)

We have many diffent levels of certifications in the program, most of the younger scouts (12-15) only carry an Open Water Certification. Although we do have higher training programs. All scouts and adults are trained in EAN Nitrox, Rescue Diving, Advanced Open Water, O2 Administration, CPR, and some are continuing on for Cavern and soon to be Intro to Cave. Every year each scout and adult are recertified in EAN Nitrox, Rescue, Advanced Open Water, CPR, and O2 Administration. If the scout is under 15, they are still able to attend the class and dives, they just will not recieve the certification card until they are of proper age.

For more information about the Scuba Scouts, the projects that we work on, or an interest in joining the Scuba Scouts please visit our webpage scubascouts.org or you can contact myself by email at wallacm@socom.mil.

The Scuba Scouts greatly appreciates all the help that the NACD and the NSSCDS are giving us.

Thanks Again,
Matt Wallace
Adult of Scuba Scouts