Our Foundation
About Us
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide superior youth development to large numbers of Bermudian youth using a ship as a unique, dynamic '24/7' operating community and classroom.
Our Mission
To establish 21st Century holistic (body, mind and spirit) youth development and education programming using ocean sail training which will:
a. Empower young Bermudians by developing character and leadership through teamwork, and technical skills through hands on training.
B. Create excitement for academic and experiential learning and raise environmental, cultural and historic awareness in Bermuda.
C. Broaden horizons and promote ambassadorship on overseas voyages.
Our Method
Our approach is based on proven world-class Expeditionary Learning methods. We take young Bermudians out of their familiar environments by bringing them aboard ship where they will have to work together to meet specific and very tangible goals. Success in meeting these goals fosters an improved sense of self-worth, and illustrates, through self-discovery, the importance of leadership and teamwork.
Life aboard ship provides the perfect environment for the learning of new personal, social and technical skills.
Our programme is:
- reflective of Bermuda's make-up by race, gender and private/public school attendance
- integrated with formal education and community youth programmes
- financially self-reliant and fully endowed
Our programme provides a strong sense of identity for young Bermudians. Our training ship, Spirit of Bermuda, is a uniquely Bermudian design that is fast and elegant. She is a source of pride for all our student crew who serve as Bermudian ambassadors in overseas ports.
Our Progress
Nearly four years of operation, (since beginning in September 2006), Spirit has provided training for over 1400 young people and sailed over 24,000 miles in overseas voyages to 17 ports in 10 countries.
According to students, parents and teachers, Spirit's programmes are exceeding all expectations.
Spirit received two prestigious international awards in 2007-2008:
- Sail Training Program of the Year (2007) from the American Sail Training Association
- Sail Trainer of the Year (2007/8) from Sail Training International
In September 2008 Spirit won Canada's Round Prince Edward Island Race which was run under the auspices of the American Sail Training Association. She was first across the line and first overall on corrected time ahead of such renowned vessels as the Pride of Baltimore and the schooner Virginia.
Spirit is fast becoming a national institution around which all Bermudians can rally and be proud.
