Young people aged 14 to 18 will experience life-changing adventure and reconnect with the natural world at Quaystage’s summer sailing camps in the UK and Europe. Whether your teen is a complete beginner or has already found their sea legs, time away from screens in the fresh air is the order of the day, as is coastal exploration and marine science research during the week-long and two-week camps.
The company’s UK base is in the Solent, from which boats will sail west to explore the Jurassic Coast and beyond. Two to four 40-foot yachts, each with two fully qualified instructors overseeing up to 10 campers, sail together as a flotilla, with the goal of coastline exploration, scientific experiments and research (Quaystage works with marine charity Plastic Pirates), and building confidence on the water. It’s a busy programme, but there’s always time to burn off excess energy by messing about on canoes, swimming off the deck or putting in to explore seaside towns and the local ice-cream on offer.
It’s all-hands-on-deck in the galley too (that’s the kitchen to you and me), as campers are responsible for planning and cooking for their crewmates – this is serious team-building stuff that builds life-long confidence. All sail camps count towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s Residential Award Scheme and DofE expeditions; school programmes are also available upon request.