BY WKRC TV Cincinnati

Eight local children are headed to Florida this weekend to swim with the manatees. The trip, though, is about much more. They are part of a program that also teaches children about how to make good life choices, set goals and stay out of trouble.

The scuba program is paid for by Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office, but Local 12's Deborah Dixon tells us, one committed cop makes it happen.

These gentle giants at the Cincinnati Zoo swim freely in the warm coastal waters of Florida. This weekend, 12-year-old Alesea Ronnebaum of Price Hill will be swimming with them.

Alesea Ronnebaum, Oyler Elementary School: "We're going to be swimming with the manatees. I'm really excited about it."

Alesea and seven other inner city kids are going with their scuba club, one of the Friends of Children mentoring programs, designed to help children who want to do better in school and life.

"It helps me keep my grades up, you have to have good grades, a good personality, and good attitude."

In scuba diving, young people learn match skills, physics, some biology and so much more.

Kim Ronnebaum, Mother: "She has more goals, wants to accomplish and reach."

Cincinnati Police Officer Bene Seay is the volunteer instructor who takes the divers to Florida. He's seen drugs, gangs and violence, destroy young lives. So, he's doing something about it. His divers don't do drugs.

Officer Gene Seay, In Too Deep: "If you think about abusing illicit drugs, won't survive, too dangerous."

Seay donates equipment from his Hartwell dive shop. "In Too Deep" is named after the scuba club that started in 2000. The first members are all productive young adults, now.

"I'm proud. I was part of their lives."

Seay says the club helps children dream. It just starts with swimming with the manatees.

"Hopefully, one day someone will come to me and say, hey you took me scuba diving, I'm CEO of a company now."

Deborah Dixon, Local 12.

Seay said he's always looking for diving instructors to help with the club. The trip this weekend is paid for by the Police Activities League, Knox Presbyterian Church, and Seay's Church- Bethlehem Temple.

----------------------------------------------------------------------