Broadreach's Arc of the Caribbean

  Caribbean

Dates: 32 day voyages in June and July

Description: Get set for the adventure odyssey of a lifetime, the only program of its kind in depth and scope. This voyage spans more than 600 nautical miles from the Leeward Islands to just off the coast of South America. Your 50-foot yacht provides an outstanding environment for comprehensive sail training and wide-open adventure. Learn about ocean currents, weather patterns, seamanship and safety at sea while earning several International Yacht Training (IYT) certifications. Take the helm, plot your course, navigate by GPS, night sail guided by the stars, catch dinner on an afternoon sail, and anchor in secluded island hideaways. Hike to volcanic craters blanketed in vibrant rainforest before scouting local markets for provisions. Bequia, Mustique, Canouan...explore islands few have heard of, in ways ordinary tourists do not.

Life aboard can be challenging, demanding hard work and respect for your vessel and the sea. Yet the rewards of your experience, labor and training are great. You learn firsthand about Caribbean culture and its people. You are a sailor, you are an explorer, and to the rest of the crew, you are part of a team. Together you create a rare and unforgettable journey most sailors only dream about.

Day 1-3
Climb aboard in Anse Marcel, St. Martin. First tasks: provisioning, settling into your quarters and getting to know the yacht and your shipmates. Phase One of our journey begins with intensive sail training in the Renaissance Islands of St. Martin and St. Barts. We start with the basics jibing, tacking and the points of sail. The distances to be covered and the nature of the sea demand perseverance, respect and hard work. Discover that the sea is a whole new world with its own language, traditions and rules.

Day 4-8
Already getting your sea legs, you discover your vessels personality...how her sails handle the wind, how her hull slices through the waves, the music of her rigging and her moods. Training drills intensify as the crew practices man-overboard drills and learns to safely navigate from island to island. Sailing Lasers off St. Barts helps us perfect our small boat handling and understanding of wind shifts, and a regatta with the other Arc boats provides a little friendly competition. Take a well deserved break to hike the Quill in Statia, up and over its volcanic crater and down into the lush rainforest below. Back on the water, its time to finally put your knowledge to the test.

Day 9-12
Congratulations! You've earned the first of your IYT sailing certifications, one of our key goals. Celebrate your accomplishments with a traditionally cooked island meal on the beautiful shores of Nevis. Youre ready to begin Phase Two of the voyage when we shift our focus from rigorous sail training to island adventure, cultural immersion and community service. First mission: the Montserrat service project, a unique opportunity to truly experience Caribbean culture by helping its people. The recent volcanic eruptions here created great hardships and the locals truly appreciate our help.

Day 13-22
Continue bearing south, exploring the Archipelago of the Lesser Antilles. Marie Galante and Iles des Saintes exemplify tropical beauty. Dominica is a spectacular land of towering mountains, huge waterfalls and dense rainforests. Paddle up the Indian River and hike to the boiling lakes through bountiful ecosystems. You wont find much tourism here... The country is poor, but the culture is rich. Night sail to St. Lucia and hike up the dramatic jungle covered peaks of the Pitons. Try scuba diving on the vibrant Anse Chastanet reefs. Volunteer at the Oldhegg Turtle Sanctuary in Bequia and help Brother King in his quest to save endangered sea turtles.

Day 23-27
Sailing is second nature and the crew is ready to start Phase Three of the trip. The program leaders step back now to become silent observers. Its up to you and your shipmates to chart and plan the remainder of the voyage. Sweep south through the Windwards. As you hop to and from the tiny unspoiled islands of the Grenadine Passage, you find the most beautiful anchorages of the journey. Take in the festive sights and sounds of Carnival in St. Vincent. Snorkel or scuba dive on the shallow reefs of Tobago Cays, have a scavenger hunt on Mustique and learn how local fishermen craft their boats on the beaches of Carriacou.

Day 28-32
Our picturesque anchorage in Grenada is surrounded by a pastel rainbow of dockside houses and shops. Head ashore to relax on the fine white sand of Grand Anse Beach. Hike inland and leap off Concord Falls into crystal clear pools. Overnight sail to Trinidad, an island unlike any other we have visited. Heading into our final port, you are an accomplished sailor. You have grown in your ability to work within a group and lead a team. You have forged lifelong friendships. You have gone places few have gone, accomplished things few have accomplished. By the end of our journey, you have developed a new awareness of the world, a greater sense of self and confidence in leadership.

Highlights:
- 600-mile sail training voyage across the Caribbean
- Earn multiple International Yacht Training (IYT) sailing certifications
- Hike the Caribbeans most incredible ecosystems
- Cultural exploration on 15+ islands, snorkeling, Discover Scuba
- 5-day yacht delivery extension available
- 15+ hours of community service
- Grades 9 and 10 or 11 and 12; no prerequisite

Cost in US$: $5,780

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Caribbean in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10-12

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Broadreach Summer Adventures / Academic Treks's Mission Statement: Broadreach offers experiential summer adventures for teenagers and young adults including scuba, sailing, marine biology, academic and wilderness programs that span the globe. Broadreach's educational adventures provide opportunities for students to learn new skills and explore the world in an active, hands-on environment that fully immerses the participant in the experience. Combining the thrill of discovery, the pride of accomplishment and the excitement of exploration, Broadreach programs focus on individual initiative, group dynamics and genuine participation in the world. Academic Treks is the academic adventure and community service division of Broadreach Summer Adventure Camps for Teenagers. Our educational summer camps and high school study abroad programs provide excellent alternatives to traditional summer camps and summer school. Lastly, Academic Treks College is the university division of Broadreach Summer Adventures. Our college study abroad programs provide unique opportunities to study a single topic in multiple countries around the world.

Year Founded: 1993