AMIkids Inc., a nationally-recognized, nonprofit organization that empowers kids to discover their potential and separate their troubled past from a bright future, will hold its annual AMIkids Dive Challenge from July 20-23 in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at 102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037. This exciting event provides AMIkids’ top students from over eight states across the country a once in a lifetime experience as a reward for rigorous work developing into responsible, productive members of their community as they get SCUBA certified in the beautiful waters off the Florida Keys.

O.B. Stander, President & CEO of AMIkids, Inc., knows firsthand the importance of marine based training and its positive effect on kids, as that is how AMIkids was first established.

“Over 45 years ago, our founder Judge Frank Orlando kept seeing the same kids go through his court system over and over and knew there needed to be a change,” said Stander. “He placed a few kids with a nonprofit lead by his friend, Bob Rosof, on a boat doing marine science work. The response was so positive that the experiment, 45 years later, has turned into a national nonprofit organization that utilizes experiential education to help youth grow academically and socially.”

“Students earn this experience by working hard in their academics and in turning their lives around. Bringing them out on the water is not only a call back to our history, but it provides them critical positive reinforcement for their great work. It is what helps make AMIkids so special,” added Stander. “Earning a national SCUBA certification, students learn the science of safe diving as well as demonstrate responsibility for themselves and their diving buddy.”

The students, dive instructors and staff will dive from Tuesday, July 21 through Thursday, July 23.

Those interested in attending or covering this exciting week of diving should contact AMIkids Director of Marketing & Communications Jordan Meyer at 813-523-9600 or [email protected].

Founded in 1969, AMIkids, Inc. is a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization that helps kids and strengthens communities through positive and motivating programs that inspire learning, leadership and personal growth. As one of the few juvenile justice programs nationally accredited by AdvancED, AMIkids transforms its students through education, counseling and behavior modification services, empowering them to make positive decisions that will ultimately shape their future and allow them the opportunity to transform their lives. For more information, visit www.amikids.org.