Why should teens go to sea?

Malcolm Kirkland and the Bermuda Sloop Foundation can tell you about their plans to build a 87' Bermuda-Rigged Sloop that will be the first Bermuda based boat in the ASTA Tall Ships Challenge programme representing Bermudian teams overseas in this race, as well as sailing in many year-round coastal adventures, specifically designed for teenagers.

"Because we wish to shape a future in which our students speak with pride of their national maritime heritage and the vital part that it plays in the preservation of Bermuda's values and identity and, most important, the preservation of its national spirit," he says.

The Bermuda Sloop Foundation (BSF) is a six-year-old fully endowed registered charity with the intention of reaching Bermuda's youth to encourage involvement in a sail training vessel specifically designed for teenagers, age 14 and above.

The BSF's goal is to create Bermuda's first world class sail training sloop for students, based on the original plans for the historic Bermuda-rigged sloop. The programme is designed to encourage teamwork and technical skill in areas such as woodworking and mechanics, as well as other practical skills for teenagers to apply to Bermuda's economy, "The deck and areas of the sloop will make it very easy to teach kids. If they are interested in the engine there is enough room for six students to be in the engine room learning how to keep it running," Mr. Kirkland said.

Through the BSF's Direct Reach Initiative, "At Risk" teenager referrals will be identified in selections to become crew for the sloop.

The BSF believes that kids can benefit tremendously from the experience, and are paying particular attention to public school kids on the Island.

The programme will involve one weekend every six weeks, three hours ever two weeks, and one week in the summer if students are part of regular teamwork which involves one seven day voyage and ocean passages.

Part of the programme involves a personal log in which kids write about their experiences, something that Mr. Kirkland thinks is just one of the many valuable aspects of the experience:

"Kids will be learning by doing, and developing practical skills and developing their character.This helps them make a healthy start in life and builds a future, as well as marketable skills through effective opportunities, this is what we are presenting for the youth of Bermuda, an opportunity to learn about Bermuda's history and to travel the ocean on Bermuda's own sail training sloop," he said.