Prep Your Family for Adventure with Scuba Certification at Diventures in Springfield

Scuba diving isn’t just a thrill—it’s a meaningful way for families to connect through shared adventure. Diventures in Springfield is the go-to destination for all things scuba, with courses that span beginner certification to advanced, professional-level training.

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“We are seeing more multi-generation families diving, with grandparents, parents and children all involved and getting to experience the underwater world together,” says Callie Fetter, scuba experience manager at Diventures. “In some cases, all have had the same scuba instructor!”

Why Get Certified as a Family at Diventures?

Once certified, families can dive together anywhere in the world. “Imagine exploring a WWII shipwreck with your dad, drifting through a school of manta rays with your siblings or watching mom snap photos alongside a curious hawksbill turtle,” Fetter says.

Diving also creates rare, screen-free time together. It’s a chance to unplug, stay present and share the wonder of the underwater world side by side. The experience builds trust, confidence and lasting memories while instilling values like personal responsibility and respect for the ocean.

What Does the Certification Process Look Like?

The Open Water Diver certification includes three parts: digital learning, classroom and pool sessions and open-water training dives.

Step 1: Digital Learning
Participants complete this portion at home, on their own schedule. It includes eight to 12 hours of reading, videos and quizzes designed to prepare them for hands-on learning.

Step 2: Classroom and Pool Sessions
This phase involves working alongside expert instructors to review key concepts and build confidence. Participants then head to the pool to practice and master the skills needed for underwater diving.

Step 3: Open Water Training Dives
Participants complete four training dives in open water, demonstrating the skills they’ve learned. These dives can take place locally at some of southwest Missouri’s top lakes or be completed during a dive trip in the ocean.

Once certified, you’re cleared to dive to 60 feet. Certification is recognized globally and valid for life (although it’s a good idea to dive regularly or take a refresher course to keep skills sharp). The Open Water Diver certification is just the beginning. Specialty courses and advanced certifications help you build new skills, expand your dive experiences and make each dive even more rewarding.

What are Options for Young Divers?
Kids can earn their Junior Open Water Diver certification starting at age 10. This lets them dive to 40 feet with a certified parent or guardian. At age 15, the certification automatically upgrades to a standard Open Water Diver.

How Long Does it Take? 
The standard pace for certification is three to four weeks. That includes time for digital learning, four pool sessions (scheduled over a weekend or weekday evenings) and a weekend of training dives. Need to move faster? Ask about private courses. Those can be completed in just four days.

The Diventures Difference

Safety is Diventures’ top priority, and fun is a close second. The goal isn’t just to certify divers—it’s to create safe, confident and well-prepared ones. To make that happen, Diventures ensures every student has the knowledge, skills, equipment and experience needed to enjoy the underwater world.

The instructors at Diventures are passionate about scuba diving, and it shows. With top-level certifications and tens of thousands of hours exploring underwater sites around the globe, they help students dive in safely, build confidence and have an unforgettable time doing it.

How One Family Turned Scuba Certification into a Lifelong Adventure with Diventures

The Wilson family—Koren, Will, Kaiya (19) and Tucker (10) Wilson—completed the Open Water Diver certification, and found it to be an unforgettable journey. “When I was 18, my parents certified me, and ever since, I knew it was something I wanted to share with my own family,” says Koren Wilson. 

They started with the “Try Scuba” class to ease the family in. “At the time, my son was 9 1/2 years old and my husband had reservations about breathing underwater,” Wilson says. “It was such a wonderful experience that as soon as my son turned 10, we signed up for open water certification.”