About Us

About us

Adaptive Diving Association Volunteers and Camp Star participants. Photo taken at 2015 Camp Star held at Messiah College in Gettysburg, PA.

Adaptive Diving Association is a volunteer based organization who has served the needs of the physically challenged community from the ages of 10 on up for the past 3 decades! Adaptive Diving Association volunteered its' services for many charitable events; such as Camp Star at Messiah College in Camp Hill, PA, a sport camp for kids 10-17 with a physical disability. The camp's focus was on fostering independence and providing new sports experiences. During our 20 years as an active volunteer organization for Camp Star, we helped the children overcome their fear by earning their trust and getting under the water with us to play like any other child! In this zero-gravity environment they were free from the constraints of their wheelchairs.

We were paid handsomely in GIGGLES & SMILES!!!

In recent years we have reached out to our veteran military men and women who are facing Quality of Life issues, some of which were created by the challenges of a loss of mobility due to single or double leg and arm amputations which can effect their self esteem and self-confidence making it challenging to transition back to their civilian lives.

By learning SCUBA diving, these men and women experience a renewed sense of self esteem, self accomplishment and freedom which encourages them to see life's possibilities instead of it's limitations.

To support our mission, we provide all services, including SCUBA skills instruction, standard and customized adaptive diving equipment, and underwater video-photography for self evaluation at no cost to those individuals who face a battle to live a more independent lifestyle.

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In Memoriam
Kenneth "Jim" Hoser, Founder & Former Executive Director of Adaptive Diving Association who has departed us on December 8th, 2021 had earned the

National Association of Underwater Instructors

Outstanding Service Award - 2015

"for his dedication to bringing adaptive diving into the mainstream!"

Kenneth "Jim" Hoser has dedicated his life to helping individuals with disabilities find comfort, solace, and excitement through the world of adaptive scuba diving.

Jim's dedication to this work has its' roots in his life experiences. In the early 80's Jim suffered a serious injury while in a CAT Scan machine which caused paralyses from the waist down. Jim was told he would never walk again... and for 6 years he was confined to a wheelchair. Because of a freak accident causing him to fall down a flight of stairs in his wheelchair, Jim unexplainably regained his ability to feel sensations in his legs. After 18 months of intense physical therapy, Jim was walking unassisted.

Not long after the recovery from his paralyses, Jim was diagnosed with terminal small cell Lung Cancer and given 6 months to live. This was not acceptable to Jim... so he researched his options for treatment and chose a treatment that was having some success in other parts of the world. His treatment was successful and he has been cancer free for more than 27 years! Jim will tell you that he is giving back for being here... when it was against all odds!!!

Every lifelong mission begins with a spark of inspiration, and after his experiences, Jim began to witness the difficulties facing disabled friends who were interested in underwater exploration. At the time, adaptive diving training options were not widely available: most certification agencies did not have programs for individuals with adaptive needs, or were in a fledgling state of development.

Adaptive diving needed a champion to help spread the love of scuba to a completely new audience – Jim answered the call!

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"Adaptive News on the MOVE"

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