FAQ

1. Does the price you have listed for a course represent all expenses?

Yes. The price represents travel to and from the sailing location (air and ferry fees), travel taxes (going in and out of countries), food, and course material. There will be some locations where students may wont a little spending cash to purchase souvenirs.

2. What should I bring?

Once selected to go on one of the sailing courses a detailed list of items students should bring will be provided. This list can vary depending on location. In general, students only need to bring clothes, towel, personal toiletries (such as toothbrush, deodorant, and other personal hygiene products), medications, books they'd like to read during down time, flip-flops and deck shoes. We provide all the other items (life vests, sun screen, soap, etc.)

3. Will I be able to call or get ahold of my child while they are sailing?

Yes. Students are allowed to bring cellphone with them. Along with the caption, each chaperone will also have a cell phone that can be reached. While there may be a few spots once in a while where signal strength is low, you will be able to speak with your child each day to check in or contact them if an emergency arrises.

4. I am concerned about safety and what the conditions will be like aboard?

That is a great question and one we completely understand. Since our main purpose is taking high school students sailing, a big part of our job is making sure parents completely trust us and believe their child will be safe at all times. While sailing can be a dangerous sport, we ensure all safety procedures are in place and followed at all times. This includes having a safe and tested yacht as well as ensuring the students aboard never engage in dangerous or even risky behavior. Each trip has three adults aboard to monitor safety at all times (two chaperones, both certified public school teachers, and a certified Captain).

5. What experience does YSP have traveling with children?

YSP was founded by a public school teacher who has extensive experience teaching and coaching children of all ages. He has also traveled extensively throughout the world (Europe, Central America, Caribbean, Asia, even way down south to New Zealand) and sailed in the British Virgin Islands.

6. How much sailing will I get?

A whole lot. Our primary purpose is for students to actually be aboard a sailing yacht working lines and the helm. Learning how to dock and anchor. You will get hours of supervised sailing out on the open water.

7. Are we on the boat at all times or do we get to do some swimming and other activities?

Several of the locations we sail to allow for some great snorkeling. If you are up for it you will have several opportunities to swim along coral reefs, beaches and islands. We will also have time to visit some of the islands and do a bit of shopping/eating.

8. How many bathrooms are there on the boat?

Just one. Sometimes it can be a bit of a shock living aboard a yacht. For people who have to have a large bathroom with all the amenities, a 40 foot yacht can seem like a small place.

9. Where will I sleep/live while aboard?

There are three cabins-one forward and two aft. The forward cabin is allocated for our chaperone and the two aft cabins are for students. Two students will share a cabin.

10. Will we be out of sight of land?