Bermuda?s Outward Bound programme is making history this year by hosting the second International Challenge for Youth ? a course held to bring together Outward Bound students from all over the world.

The first International Youth Challenge course was held in 2002 in Sabah (Malaysia) to promote international goodwill and appreciation between students from different nations. After sending details on the second to every Outward Bound centre world-wide, Outward Bound Bermuda has already had responses from Romania, Bulgaria, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Finland, Brazil, the UK, the USA, and Malaysia.

At least four Bermudian students are expected to also take part in the course, which will run from May 20-30. The cost of the course ? save for airfare ? is being paid for by Bermudian sponsors.

Based at Paget Island in St. George?s, the course will involve a historical railway exploration and canoe journey, community service, a home stay, and what appears to be the highlight of the event ? a circumnavigation of the Island on a sailboat.

Students will overnight in Dockyard during the circumnavigation, waking up to abseil from the old Casemates prison the next morning and then completing the navigation.

Course director and senior instructor Ben Beasley said that while it is one of the least physical of the experiences the students will participate in, the circumnavigation is perhaps the most effective at bridging the cultural divide: ?You have no choice, when the wind is blowing gently and the sun is shining, but to sit back, relax, and listen to what others have to say about their world.?

Outward Bound was hoping for a total group of 16 students, possibly with the help of one instructor who may come to Bermuda from New Zealand to assist in the course.

Just two home stays have been identified for the students so far. The home stay portion of the course is scheduled to last just one day.

Interested parties can contact either Mr. Beasley or Outward Bound Bermuda co-ordinator Mark Norman at outboundibl.bm, or visit the organisation?s website at