Koror, Palau – July 21-26, 2025, 12 young Palauans earned their PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water certifications through the Palau Pledge Dive Camp, a week-long program combining scuba training with hands-on science and cultural learning.
The camp began with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Environment’s Division of Forest, Land and Water Management, where students explored the importance of native plants in reforestation, food and medicinal security and erosion prevention. After spending the morning at the Nekken Nursery, the students joined the state foresters by planting native trees in Ngatpang to reduce soil erosion.
You might wonder, why would a dive camper go on a tree planting trip? Well, planting trees helps protect coral reefs. When there’s too much dirt and sand (dengitech) that washes into the ocean, it can harm coral. The dirt can cover the coral and block sunlight. Coral needs sunlight because the tiny plants living inside them use it to make food. Without sunlight, the coral can get sick or die. Tree planting can stop dengitech from getting into the coastal waters to keep coral healthy. Campers learned that this is an on-going challenge that they can help minimize.
On Day Two, participants visited the PCC-Cooperative Research & Extension (CRE) in Ngeremlengui for an immersive experience in agricultural science and Palauan farming practices. The morning session was spent in the lab, focusing on plant tissue culture, where they propagate clones of various taro species and serve as a seed bank for taro, ensuring the preservation of genetic diversity for food security. Later, in the afternoon, they visited a taro patch (mesei) to harvest taro and reflect on the cultural and nutritional importance of this staple crop. The day emphasized how modern science and traditional knowledge work together to support food security.
On Day Three, the students were split up: Open Water and Advanced Open Water. The Open Water group began their diving course, while the Advanced Open Water group joined the Micronesian Voyaging Society. They were led by Master Navigator Moss Sewalrur, son of Grandmaster Navigator Sesario Sewalrur—a master of traditional Micronesian wayfinding and one of the few remaining practitioners of this ancient art. Under his guidance, students learned essential knot-tying techniques and explored the cultural significance of traditional navigation. They also practiced coconut husking, and weaving baskets from coconut leaves—skills rooted in traditional ocean voyaging and survival.
Days Four and Five were led by instructors from Sam’s Tours, where students mastered dive skills like buoyancy control, underwater navigation, and emergency protocols. The program culminated in a fun dive at Palau’s iconic dive sites—Blue Hole, Turtle Cove, and Big Drop Off—offering students a breathtaking introduction to their island’s underwater wonders. The week concluded with an intimate award ceremony on the beach of Babelomekang, where the new divers were officially welcomed into the Palau Pledge Dive Club. This dive camp not only certified the next generation of divers, but also inspired another wave of young ocean advocates committed to preserving Palau’s traditions and unique marine environment.