An ‘Adventure under Sail’ is transformative, providing young people with skills and qualities that benefit them in all areas of life.
Sailing challenges young people to step outside their comfort zone. The sense of accomplishment from overcoming the ‘Challenge of the Sea’ builds self-confidence.
Through shared responsibility, young people learn to trust others, communicate effectively, and support one another.
Shared responsibility teaches young people to be accountable for their own actions and realise the importance of contributing to team goals while complying with accepted standards of behaviour.
Overcoming the’ Challenge of the Sea’ encourages resilience and persistence, characteristics that carry over into their personal and academic lives.
Onboard routines away from daily life reduced stress, improves mental health and mindfulness.
Visiting new places and working together with people from different backgrounds opens minds and enhances outlook.
Life within the close confines of a boat creates a close-knit community, where bonds form quickly, and trust and cooperation are paramount. Many of our clients describe the camaraderie and friendships formed on board as some of the most valuable aspects of the experience often giving them a sense of belonging to the OYT North family.
“I made such close friends with the people I met onboard, so coming home was quite sad, I was quite lost without my boat family” quote from Sophie Halpin
Time at sea deepens an appreciation for nature and the importance of protecting our oceans.
Further advantages are specific to certain groups – here are some examples below:
Time off from caring allows young carers to rest and recharge, reducing stress and helping them to feel better equipped to manage their caring role.
An ‘Adventure under Sail’ creates space for young carers to engage in friendships, social activities, and peer support, thereby reducing feelings of isolation.
Benefits
Respite from caring responsibilities
Meeting other young carers in a similar situation
Being cared for rather than caring
Just being young people!
Sailing allows visually impaired participants to engage all their senses - feeling changes in wind direction, listening to waves and the sounds of the sails, and detecting shifts in the boat’s movement.
These sensory cues provide vital feedback, enabling them to “read” the environment and understand conditions in a way that doesn’t rely on sight.
Voyage features
Pre-voyage training/ familiarisation/ gentle introduction
Managed situation within a risk assessed space with definitive boundaries
Buddy system -one to one support from sighted guides
Safety tethers always used when at sea
Voyages managed towards calm seas
Bright accommodation with contrasting colours/ light and dark
Benefits
Helps to develop independent living through having to undertake everyday tasks such as cooking and cleaning
Develops orientation and mobility
Sailing teaches techniques for moving around dynamic environments safely, enhancing mobility. Learning to manoeuvre around obstacles and adapt to the motion of the boat develops balance and spatial awareness. These skills prove valuable for visually impaired participants when navigating unfamiliar spaces on land.
We enable deaf children, young people and adults to have equal opportunity to participate in sailing with the same degree of competence as their hearing peers. Several of our volunteers are hearing impaired themselves.
Outdoor learning
Taking learning outdoors can enhance education and improve mental health
By moving away from regimented seating plans and standard classroom-based learning, children can embrace a greater sense of freedom and independence: essential contributors to their development.
Adventure under Sail provides an engaging experience that can teach brand new skills and enhance problem solving, teamwork and thinking skills while feeding seamlessly into the curriculum.
STEM education
STEM education often involves hands-on, project-based learning to engage students and show how these disciplines work together in real-life applications. Many schools and programs also focus on expanding diversity and inclusion in STEM fields to ensure opportunities for all students.
Voyage planning involving speed, time and distance, velocity made good
Choice of sail plan involving wind force and direction relative to direction of travel and sail area
Anchoring decisions involving tidal curves – rise and fall, height of tide, tidal vectors
Alternative education
We work in partnership with alternative education providers to achieve the best outcomes for their pupils. Our voyages can be tailored to meet the specific needs of young people, fostering core values such as building relationships, resilience, and respect. This support helps empower young people to reach their full potential.
Sometimes someone who is shy and retiring in school comes to the fore onboard James Cook – you may be surprised!
Research suggests that outdoor learning improves child development, supports mental health and wellbeing, deepens nature connection and promotes more inclusive and engaging learning.
The maritime environment is rich in sensory experiences —the feeling of the wind, the sound of waves, the rocking of the boat, and even the smell of the sea. The repetitive sounds and rhythms of sailing are calming, helping them to focus and find a sense of balance.
Onboard, we offer a safe, inclusive space for young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND), in which they develop skills, confidence, and independence through practical, hands-on learning. It is a unique experience.
Repetitive/ structured routines and predictable tasks are for young people with SEN who thrive on clear, consistent activities. Tying knots, hoisting sails, and assisting with onboard cleaning help develop valuable practical skills that can be applied in everyday life.
Steering a large yacht gives an immediate sense of achievement, reinforcing self-confidence.
We welcome young people with disabilities; however, they must be able to climb ladders and follow basic safety instructions for their safety and the safety of others on board.
Moving from primary school to secondary school is an exciting time of life, but for many children it can also be a daunting prospect.
An Adventure under Sail will support the mental health and emotional well-being of children as they start the next chapter in their lives.
Complete your DofE Award – Residential (or Expedition?)
Set yourself a personal challenge
Meet new friends
Learn new skills
Visit new places
