WHAT IS THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE TRUST

The Spirit of Adventure Trust was established to provide the youth of New Zealand with access to a character development programme conducted in a maritime environment. Our voyages are seen as a unique environment for youth development, where the focus of learning for the trainees is on team-work and developing skills of communication, self-reliance, self-discipline, self-esteem, resilience, confidence and leadership. Learning to sail a tall ship is a means to an end, rather than an end in itself.

The topsail schooner Spirit of Adventure, gifted to the nation by Lou Fisher, was commissioned in 1973. She sailed a heavy schedule around the New Zealand coast until 1997, when she was sold for tourism work in Fiji.

The three-masted barquentine Spirit of New Zealand was commissioned in 1986, and since the retirement of the Adventure, has undertaken an annual programme of around 340 days at sea. She is believed to be probably the world’s busiest youth ship.

Each year between 1000 and 1200 young people aged 15-18, from a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds throughout the country, participate in the Youth Development programme. In the past 35 years, more than sixty-thousand young people have taken part.

5-DAY INSPIRATION VOYAGE

Each year, with support and generous sponsorship from the Lions Clubs of New Zealand, spearheaded by the Karori Lions Club, Spirit of Adventure Trust is able to take 30 young people with physical disabilities on a special 5-day voyage.These 30 young people, aged between 16 and 20yrs, come from around New Zealand and are selected by referrals from schools and organisations. Trainees are split into four watches with two - three experienced buddy’s assigned to each watch. The emphasis of this programme is to provide opportunities to face challenges outside their usual boundaries, gaining confidence and achieving things that previously might have looked impossible.

DIFFERENT CHALLENGES

On every one of these voyages we see so many trainees overcome their fears and doubts. The challenges are different for everyone; for some it is climbing the mast, for others jumping in for the morning swim instead of climbing down the ladder.

The buddies on these voyages do a great job of making things possible for the trainees; however, it is most impressive to note the trainees themselves helping each other out. This is demonstrated in so many ways, from translators who sign for those who were deaf, to picking up something that was dropped, or making space for someone who cannot stand for long periods.

MAKING AN IMPACT

The noticeable impact these five days has on the lives of each trainee is radiated through their attitudes, their behaviours and the friendships they have made.

The Trust would like to share with you some of the feedback we get from both the trainees and the crew who they inspire.

‘When I came onboard, I thought everyone was the same. Now I realise everyone is different and I understand and respect that. And thanks to all of you, you have made an impact on my life.’(This was from one of the trainees who wishes to come back as a buddy next year.)

‘This trip is well named as an “Inspiration Voyage”. I think all the crew and buddies are inspired by the young people we sail with and their determination to be involved with everything on board.’Sheila Budgen - Volunteer crew

‘One of the first-time buddies remarked that he was surprised that these trainees had done everything that he, as an able-bodied participant, had done on his 10-day voyage – put the sails up, sailed the luggers, rafted ashore for a BBQ at Man ‘o War Bay on Waiheke island, climbed the mast, evening activities, morning swim, cleaned the ship . . . the list goes on.’

LIONS CLUB SUPPORT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

The ongoing support the Trust receives from the Lions Clubs of New Zealand, has enabled us to offer this special voyage for over 10 years, changing the lives of hundreds of young people with physical disabilities.Due to their generous donations we have been able to keep the individual costs per trainee down to a fraction of the real cost of the voyage.