7-day youth development voyages
Venture into the unknown and change your life forever! Order a gift voucherTai Tokerau Challenge VoyageGrow leadership, confidence and teamwork!
The R.Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust runs life changing adventures, developing confidence, leadership and teamwork for young people aged between 13 and 18. They take place between April and November and are a suitable activity for those who are undergoing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award or the St John Cadet Ventureship Gold Badge award. A recent survey carried out of parents and former sail trainees to test their effectiveness can be downloaded here.
This was one of the most amazing things i have done. I learnt so much about myself, and made some life long friends. This voyage takes you away from the modern life of a teenager where it is all about Facebook etc and made you make genuine friends and great memories which i will never forget
Trainee feedback
Our youth development voyages are suitable for those taking their Bronze Adventurous Journey and their Gold Residential awards. We can also complete other awards on board but please check with us and DofE first. Contact us in advance if you would like to book a Duke of Edinburgh Hillary placement.
Unlost – Myra Shepherd
Lost at sea, I’m lost in the oceans of me. Need a new perspective to open up my eyes, I’m swimming blind.
Hope I don’t gotta blink, feel like I’m about to sink.
Hold out your hand, it’s so much easier done than said.
Breathe the wind it tastes of silver and gold, my new horizons, never growing old. This is where I know I am supposed to be, living free, unlost at sea.
Hope I don’t gotta blink, feel like I’m about to sink.
Hope I don’t gotta blink, feel like I’m about to sink.
Hold out your hand, it’s so much easier done than said.
Breathe the wind it tastes of silver and gold, my new horizons, never growing old. This is where I know I am supposed to be, living free, unlost at sea.
Hope I don’t gotta blink, feel like I’m about to sink.
Hold out your hand, it’s so much easier done than…
Say you’re afraid to try your hardest. Gotta take the leap to get over me. But I gotta take this step for me, oh, oh. And I think I’m finally on my feet.
Say you’re afraid to try your hardest. Gotta take the leap to get over me. But I gotta take this step for me, oh, oh. And I think I’m finally on my feet.
Hold out your hand, it’s so much easier done than said.
Produced by KING MUSIC (Maea Shepherd & Adam Roycroft), a Young Enterprise Company.
Book your place!
- If you have a preferred voyage date, and your funding already sorted, then just complete our voyage application form to secure your berth. Otherwise, fill in a registration of interest form and we’ll get back to you.
On your voyage, you will
- Learn about sailing, general seamanship and safety at sea
- Learn about the environment and marine ecology and visit some amazing places
- Find out about navigation and how to read charts
- Learn how to fish, and if you are lucky catch your supper (don’t worry, we have other food available if you’re unlucky!)
- Take a turn at cooking in the galley
- Meet new people and make new friends
- Find out about Northland , New Zealand history and our culture
- And above all have fun while you get to sail an amazing tall ship!
Our son has chosen not to be someone’s friend since the trip which was an awesome decision as this person had a huge influence on his decisions and outcomes. Now he is a changed boy and keen to become a volunteer for you!
Parent feedback
Complete the voucher order form below and we will send you an invoice for payment, or alternatively pay by Paypal and we will email the voucher to you directly. We are happy to offer a payment plan over a 5-month period, noting the conditions outlined below.
NB: if you pay by Paypal you can select either to pay the deposit indicating you wish to take a payment plan, or pay for the voucher in full.
Alternatively complete our order form below and we will invoice you the deposit.
Order a voucher
Conditions
- Trainee must meet our standard age and medical criteria
- Deposit must be received before the Voucher will be issued
- Voyage may not be taken until full payment received, although berth can be reserved once 50% payment has been received
| Payment schedule | Payment Date | Option A | Option B |
| Deposit | Week 1 | $195.00 | $195.00 |
| Payment | Week 3 | $77.00 | $100.00 |
| Payment | Week 5 | $77.00 | $100.00 |
| Payment | Week 7 | $77.00 | $100.00 |
| Payment | Week 9 | $77.00 | $100.00 |
| Payment | Week 11 | $77.00 | $100.00 |
| Payment | Week 13 | $77.00 | $100.00 |
| Payment | Week 15 | $77.00 | $100.00 |
| Payment | Week 17 | $77.00 | $ 65.00 |
| Payment | Week 19 | $77.00 | |
| Payment | Week 21 | $72.00 | |
| Total | $960.00 | $960.00 |