Travel with STSC :
 FL Manatee Trip - February 2010
Sunset House in Grand Cayman - 2010
FL Manatee Trip - February 2010
Bonaire - March 2010

Dutch Springs a 47-acre lake is located off U.S. Route 22 a few miles north of Bethlehem, Penn., is about two hours from here. Dutch Springs is privately owned and has been set up exclusively as a dive training facility. Average visibility in the spring-fed former quarry is around 40 feet . Water temperature at the surface is in the mid 70s F in the summer, rising from about 38 degrees when the season opens in April. You'll hit the first thermocline right around platform depth, with a drop in temperature of about 10 degrees. At minimum, divers visiting Dutch Springs should wear a properly fitting full quarter-inch/6.5mm wet suit with a hood, booties and gloves. In the cooler months, using a dry suit is a good idea.
Dutch Springs has several topside amenities. Surrounded by 50 acres of grassy fields and woods, there is plenty of space for the 400 divers per day that visit on an average summer weekend. Facilities include a heated changing building with restrooms, an enclosed picnic pavilion and an air fill station. To encourage families of divers to participate, kayaks, paddle boats and aqua cycles can be rented, and camping is allowed on weekends. A mobile food stand and picnic tables are provided. Dutch Springs offers no scuba sales, rentals or instruction.
Entries and exits are made from four wooden docks and a wide, pebbly beach, plus a surface platform with a ladder to simulate boat diving. Students have plenty of things to see during underwater tours: an airplane, a fire truck, several boats, all connected to the training platforms by lines to facilitate navigation, and located at a depth of 60 feet or less. Dutch Springs also supports a healthy population of fish: crappie, bass, bluegill and goldfish. This year there is a new sunken boat and they plan to sink another plane soon.
Fees are $32 for divers and $21 for nondivers on summer weekends. Season and group passes are available. For more information call (610) 759-2270 or visit www.dutchsprings.com.
STSC 2010 dates: 5/30, 7/4, 8/8, 9/5, 10/17 & 11/13
To get your waiver ahead of time click here.

Florida Trips each February
We plan to fly out of Philadelphia and arrive in Orlando early Thursday afternoon where we’ll drive up to Crystal River and spend Thursday & Friday evening. On Friday we’ll swim with the Manatee’s in the morning and then travel up to Rainbow River to do some fantastic fresh water drift diving and/or snorkeling. On Saturday we’ll spend the day diving Ginnie Springs. After the last dive we’ll head back to Orlando where we’ll have dinner. Sunday is spent at Epcot or Universal Studios. Our flight will return home on Monday
This trip also offers the opportunity to take a Cavern or Intro to Cave Course. (call 4 details)

Average Cost: Tanks, Weights, Air Fills, Hotels - Car Rental - Snorkel with the Manatee's & Diving Rainbow River and Gennie Springs - Extra Day at Epcot/Universal. $749/person/dbl. Airfare Not Included....Last years airfare was under $200.00
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Last year the group had a Great Time So Don't Miss Out

>>>>>>>>>>Experience Bonaire and Buddy Dive Resort
An unhurried, unspoiled natural paradise offering spectacular sunsets, gentle breezes and crystal clear, turquoise waters. Buddy's is a resort where you can DIVE DIVE DIVE, take part in a multitude of activities or just sit back, relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
At Buddy Dive, they are known for our casual atmosphere, personable staff, spacious accommodations and a dive operation that has something for every diver: comfortable boats, complete rental and retail center, exceptional staff, and a unique "Drive Thru" with a two-lane air/nitrox fill station. No matter which apartment you are staying in, you're never further than a giant stride away from the popular and lively house reef which is perfect for diving and snorkeling, day and night
.Bonaire lies 30 miles from Curacao, 50 miles north of Venezuela, 86 miles east of Aruba, outside of the Caribbean hurricane belt. Bonaire, 24 miles long by 3-7 miles wide (112 square miles), has NO traffic lights!
Visitors enjoy a temperate climate. Average yearly temperature is 82°F (27.8°C); water 80°F (26.7°C); rainfall 22 inches; humidity 76%, sunny all year round. Just north of the equator, Bonaire always enjoys the advantage of daylight for 12 hours.
So climb into the rental truck you receive automatically with your Drive & Dive package, and take advantage of the 60 dive sites, accessible from the shore line of Bonaire or tour the island with a guide on one of many excursions available to you through the Activity Center. Divers, snorkelers, adventurers and leisure travelers will feel equally at home at Buddy Dive. You will want to save plenty of time to relax in a hammock, lounge by the pool, simply catch some rays or saunter on down to the pool bar for a cocktail before sampling some of the local specialties.
The Drive and Dive package includes a fully equipped apartment for 8 days (7 nights), a RENTAL VEHICLE (double cabin pick-up truck or van) for 7 days, 6 days of unlimited air fills, 6 boats dives & tips, FREE NITROX, daily American style breakfast buffet, a welcome drink, free “Manager's Rum Punch Party”, airport transfer & tip, all government taxes.
From $939 pp for the whole week (based on 6 pers. in a 3 bedr. apartment) - plus airfare.
Trip Dates March 20 - 27, 2011
Deposit: $250.00
 

Gold - Gold - Gold
Swift River Gold Of Maine
Somewhere in the mountains of southwestern Maine in Oxford county, there exists a ''mother lode'' of gold beyond the wildest dreams of any prospector. Pure conjecture? Not at all, that statement is based on solid fact and research.
For 50 years, concentrated efforts have been made by professional geologists to find the source of gold in Oxford county's brooks, lakes
and ponds. The precious metal is found everywhere, and platinum occasionally. Presently, research is continuing in the Wilson Mills area, very close to the New Hampshire border. There is very definitely gold in "Them Thar Hills", particularly in the region of Eustis. Near Byron, the Swift River and its many feeder streams have produced more gold than all of the other (known) Maine gold regions combined. Anyone who can handle a pan will find small traces of the color if he is willing to spend the time. As many as a dozen persons can be seen panning the stream on a
given day during the summer months. Some search behind the upturned stones and boulders where small nuggets sometimes collect. Fly fishermen will often set aside the rod and search for gold.
Trappers have been finding a small amount of gold in the Swift River almost since the area was opened to settlement. An approximate estimate of $7,000 of the yellow stuff was taken from among a jumbled pile of rocks at a bend of the river. Perley Whitney took several thousand dollars worth over a period of years
from one of branches. Two Boston vacationers panned almost $500 in two week's time from one of the small brooks that flow into the Swift.
Commercial interest in the possibilities of a major strike in Maine are on the increase. The search for the worlds most sought after commodity has been on the upswing in Maine for the past several years. Beginners will continue to have a ball searching for it in the
streams and ponds of remote Oxford county. Superb trout fishing, gorgeous scenery and excellent camping facilities make this a natural for an entire family.
Maine has no rattlesnakes, but its black flies are the most savage on this planet. They have been lunching on out-of-staters for almost 100 years. Do not attempt a gold panning venture before the first of August unless well supplied with sprays and netting for the entire party. Remember that your in a region that even prominent scientists believe harbors a fabulous mother lode. There is nothing mythological about the gold of Maine.
Rich made his first trip to this area back in 2002 and was hooked.  Returning a number of times since he has found gold each and every trip.  Finally, wanting to share his experiences he wrote the Gold Prospecting Awareness a PADI Distinctive Specialty.  It took over
a year but PADI approved it as the first specialty ever to be allowed to use surface supplied air.
The Gold Prospecting Awareness Specialty course is intended to serve as a safe and supervised  introduction to diving for gold.  The Gold Prospecting  Awareness Specialty course is designed to familiarize  you with the skills, knowledge, planning, procedures, techniques, hazards, conservation and enjoyment of Gold Prospecting.
In August, Sunken Treasure plans to take a group of only six divers to this area in search of the elusive metal. We plan to leave on Thursday August 20 and return late Sunday, August 23.  Trip Includes:  indoor and outdoor classroom in PA & ME, learning how to pan, using a sluice box and how to operate a dredge & hookah system, hotel for one night on the way up, 2 nights at the local campground in ME, breakfast on Saturday & Sunday, lunch on Friday & Saturday, dinner on Friday & Saturday and use of all prospecting equipment.  Travel expenses will be shared along with all gold found.  A non-refundable $100.00 deposit holds your spot.  Balance must be paid by June 30th.  (hotel & camping is based on double occupancy) Cost: $449

Experience the Thrill of a Lifetime in the Bahamas
Looking for a vacation getaway? Why not travel with the us to the Bahamas for a long weekend to Stuart Cove's Dive South Ocean, in August. It is conveniently isolated on the southwest end of New Providence Island (Nassau) Bahamas. YOU can enjoy lounging on the beach, shopping, snorkeling, sightseeing, golf, casinos, tennis, walks on the beach or just plain relaxing in the warm climate. SCUBA divers and snorkeler's can experience Walls, Reefs, Wrecks, Sharks, and out island "Wilderness Safari's". Dive South Ocean offers divers a state of the art facility including custom dive boats, "Fin Photo" a full service underwater photo and video center, and advanced diving opportunities including enriched air (Nitrox). For the adventurer in you, they also offer several Extreme Adventures including the Shark Adventure™ ($130 if paid when making reservation) and Wall Flying™ Adventure! Some other options we can do based on enough people is a night dive if we get 6 people interested or anyone can add afternoon dives if you want to dive all day. Stuart Cove’s Dive South Ocean "Has It All". We’ll be staying at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. This renovated beach front resort boasts rooms with large private balcony or patio where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, lush gardens, or waterscape, with three freshwater pools with flowing waterfalls, oversized whirlpools, and a swim-up bar, there will be plenty to do after the diving for everyone including non-divers.
This is a great trip for both divers and non-divers alike. Since 1998 Stuart’s made it extra special for Jr. Certified divers age 10 through 15 who can now dive FREE when diving with a paying adult or guardian sponsor.

March or April 2012
 

Can't go with us but would like to go to Stuart Cove's? Click below to get a quote .


Wreck Diving the Saint Lawrence
Brockville, Ontario is one of the hottest SCUBA diving destinations in Canada. Situated on the St. Lawrence river in the Thousand Islands region, it offers all the features necessary for a memorable dive holiday.
The St. Lawrence has been an important trade route from the 1700's up to the present day. The main diving attractions are the clear visibility and the many historic shipwrecks that litter the bottom of this exciting stretch of water.

In the past some dives have included the Daryaw, Gaskin, Lillie Parsons, Kings Horn, America and the Keystorm. 
Most divers plan to leave on Thursday afternoon around 3:00pm and return late on Sunday. Diving takes place with ABUCS Scuba Charters and is limited to Advanced Divers Only.
Projected cost at this time is $429 plus gst tax and includes the following: Lodging on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, 3 airfills, a Friday beach dive, Saturday 4 boat dives including one tank rental, Sunday 2 boat dives, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. A single diver $589 Non Diver $299.00
On Friday for a limited number of divers (additional charge) interested there is a chance to explore the future of scuba diving, learn about and take a rebreather experience dive. Cost would be $175.00 for the day.
We are now taking a $200.00 deposit to hold your spot.  A passport is required for this trip. For additional information contact Rich at the scuba center.
A $200.00 deposit is required to hold your spot.  For additional information contact Rich at the scuba center.

Tips for Planning a Dive Vacation

  • Do I need a passport...Don't Wait...Get your passport now!
  • One of the great joys and benefits of scuba diving is the opportunity for travel. Every diver has a "dream" dive destination that he hopes to visit someday. Wherever your ideal dive destination is, this will help make getting there a little easier.
  • Use your dive instructor or other divers as sources for information. You can learn things about an operation or destination that publications or agents might not tell you.
  • Read as much information about your destination as possible. Be sure to read the most current information. Resorts change ownership and methods of operation. To avoid getting old information, read publications written or updated within the last 12 months.
  • Decide what type of diving you are looking for on your vacation. Dive resorts can offer a wide range of activities to please novice and experienced divers alike. In addition to doing independent research, seek out the advice of dive travel experts. Dive travel specialists can provide very good insights about your chosen destination or a particular operation.
  • Plan your dive vacation as early as possible, One travel expert suggests that you start planning as early as one month in advance for every $100.00 you plan on spending

Ready to Go?
Well here are some General Rules:
· Be flexible
· Mark Your Scuba Gear
· Buy Dive Insurance and/or travel insurance. We recommend Dive Assure.
· Don't take unnecessary valuables with you
· Don't forget prescription medications
· Put your essential gear in your carry on luggage
· Don't over pack you have weight limits

HAVE FUN !!!!

Why do I have to put up a deposit? The deposit serves two purposes. First of all, the deposits go immediately to pay the deposit on the boat or hotel. We try not to ask for a higher deposit than is necessary to hold the reservations. The second reason for a deposit is to be sure that people who say they are going to join the trip actually do. Unfortunately, people often intend to join a trip but at the last minute back out unless they have a financial obligation. It's only fair to the people who organize trips and to the people who were unable to go because it was sold out that those people who said they were going actually show up! A deposit helps to insure this.

How soon do I need to give you a deposit? As soon as you RSVP for the trip. We will hold your verbal reservation for 7 days to give the deposit time to arrive, but after that if the deposit doesn't show up, your spot is up for grabs. Our goal is to fill the trips, so we cannot turn people away if the trip is not truly full. Until your deposit arrives, your spot is not confirmed! Once your deposit arrives, we will send you a confirmation e-mail.

I gave a deposit but now I can't go. What do I do? In this case, the obligation to find a replacement is yours . We will make every effort to help by contacting anyone that may have been on the standby list and putting out the word. Ultimately, however, the responsibility to fill the spot is yours. If the spot is filled, we will gladly return your deposit...and tell you what a great trip you missed when we get back! ;-) If we cannot fill your spot, or we have to significantly discount the spot at the last minute to sell it, you will not get your deposit back, or you may only get part of it back. I'm sorry that it has to be that way, but that is the way a deposit works. You place a deposit to hold a spot on the trip, and that deposit prevents another person from taking your spot. If you decide you don't want the spot, we are in a "bind" to fill it. The best way to be sure you will get your deposit back is to find someone to take your spot .


STSC Travel :
FL Manatee Trip - February 4-7, 2010
Sunset House in Grand Cayman - April 17-24, 2010
St Lawrence Seaway - September 17-19, 2010
Florida Trip - February 2011
Buddy Dive in Bonaire - April 2011

From St Croix.......
The Ballad of Brian and Beth
To be sung to the tune of the theme song from Gilligans’ Island by the Sunken Treasure Octet

>>>>>>>>>>(With apologies to any persons or facts incorrectly represented)

Read this like a page from a book - this is - page 1

One sunny day in leisure land
The divers were at rest,
Two sets of them went out to test
Their mettle in the surf.

Some leaky boats they found on board
And Sparky let them launch,
To find a ratty Cruzian bar
And dive shop near the beach

They paddled in and had some fun
Which was to be short lived,
They must return cause Lynn missed them
And Rich would be concerned.

They took off after Mike and Chris
And got at least ten feet,
When Mother Gravity and the waves
Woke up to say the least.

A bit sideways and upside down
That wasn’t going to fly,
Salt water tasted fairly good
Let’s give it one more try.

Jump in and paddle, its not hard
To slice incoming waves,
But once that theory met the test
It didn’t work that way

Another try, another dump
On sun deck it was bliss.
They laughed and cheered and clapped support
It worked for Mike and Chris.

But B & B must not have heard
Yet keeping spirits high,
A bunch more tries, a bunch more dumps
You almost heard Beth sigh.

Some divers dove, some time went by
While Brian & Beth did “surf”,
The sun deck cheers turned into moans
Each time they did reverse.

Then Billy Brave set out to save
The pair from rolling surf,
And Cody came out with the skiff
To give the pair a lift.

An Urchin family ambled by
To watch this foamy mess,
When Brian stepped on papa Urch,
The family got pissed.

Brian had no shoes, the family saw
Their chance to get revenge,
And quickly under Brian’s foot
Another spine went in.

The recoil sent him to a third
A fourth was on its way,
Some serious injury occurred
To the urchin clan that day.

The stomping was quite sudden
And not a kind attack,
It’s good they were invertebrates
Or they’d have broken backs.

We’ll never know the urchins plight
But Beth and Brian found,
That messing with the undersea
Is something most unsound.

Read this like a page from a book - this is - page 2

They never solved stability
Or paddling in surf,
So Cody threw a rescue line
And got them on the skiff.

The Sunken Treasure medical team
was mustered up on deck,
A dentist, vet and nurse got there
To solve this spiny wreck.

Some novocain and alcohol
A pin and rubber hands,
Appeared from nowhere in a flash
Some surgery was planned.

We’ll “stick” with novocain to numb
And then dig with a pin,
Or maybe it was the reverse
You never know with them.

The Dentist said “let’s Novocain”
The Vet said “dig right in”,
Kel mopped his brow and calmed him down
Chris sterilized the pin.

The team was working overtime
Stress level was quite high,
For in this tropical paradise
There lurked infection neigh.

So Borden started digging
With Brian stiff as pine,
Some cries of pain, now and again
But out came the first spine.

The barbs were sharp and angled back
And some were downright mean,
We heard Vet Borden comment,
“I think I see his spleen”.

It reminded her of porcupines
In cats or pigs or dogs,
But Shawn didn’t see much difference
In numbing feet or jaws.

Chris swabbed and daubed inside and out
The issue was in check,
Till medic crewman Sparky
Appeared upon Sun Deck.

“Put away your knife, don’t snap those gloves
we’ve got it in control”,
more alcohol and digging
and then the duct tape roll.

The patient stood up wobbily
Then turned and with a grin,
Said “kayaking with Beth in front
Will surely dump you in”.

This has a happy ending
The urchin family lived,
And sailors Beth and Brian
Each other did forgive.

This mission was successful
Despite outlandish odds.
Diving with Sunken Treasure,
Is traveling with gods!
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With contrition to poets everywhere - Don Oakley