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Endeavour Celebrates a Decade of Empowering Bermuda’s Youth With Education Through Sailing

6 Jul 2025

Endeavour, the Bermuda-registered charity dedicated to empowering Bermuda’s youth with experiential learning through sailing, proudly celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2025.

Founded in 2015 to make sailing, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), and maritime career pathways accessible to all young people in Bermuda, Endeavour has grown from a pilot programme into a national initiative that reaches every 11-12-year old student across the island with its five-day, STEAM Education through Sailing experience.

“Endeavour is built on inclusivity,” said Jennifer Pitcher, Endeavour’s Executive Director. “Our hands-on learning programmes give young people of all backgrounds and abilities the chance to learn by doing—building confidence, life skills and meaningful connections with their environment and community. Over the past decade, we’ve watched thousands of young people discover new strengths, develop new interests, and form lasting friendships.”

Since its inception, Endeavour has created lasting change in the lives of young Bermudians: 

• Over 8,000 youth engaged through sailing, leadership and career development programmes.
• 24,000+ hours of STEAM instruction delivered to more than 6,000 students across 31 public, private and home schools.
• 83 young Bermudians have graduated from the Maritime Career Springboard Programme, with 80% now employed and 60% working in the maritime sector.
• 50+ partnerships established with educational, marine and community organisations.

Endeavour’s suite of programmes includes:

• STEAM Education through Sailing Programme (ages 11–12): A five-day inquiry-based experience blending sailing with STEAM lessons in geometry, buoyancy, wind power, weather, and environmental stewardship.
  
• Graduate Programme (ages 12–14): Builds on sailing and water safety skills while bringing together youth from different schools across the island.
  
• Assistant Instructor Programme (ages 15–16): Focuses on leadership development and mentorship as youth support younger sailors.
  
• Maritime Career Springboard Programme (ages 16+): Offers professional training, internationally recognised certifications, and career exposure in the maritime industry for Bermudian youth.
  
• No Limits Sailing Programme (ages 5–18): A recreational therapy experience that combines sailing with hands-on learning for students with autism or developmental challenges.

Endeavour’s impact is reflected not only in the numbers, but in the young lives that it continues to shape. Across all programmes, participants and educators consistently report improved confidence, stronger collaboration skills, and increased interest in learning about STEAM. Notably, 100 percent of Assistant Instructor and Springboard participants credit Endeavour with strengthening their leadership and communication skills.

Tom Miller, Endeavour’s Board Chair, said, “Reaching our tenth year is a testament to the dedication of our team and Board, the passion of Bermuda’s young people, and the unwavering support from our donors and community partners. Experiential learning through sailing is a transformative tool. As Endeavour looks ahead, we remain committed to providing equitable access to opportunities that empower Bermuda’s youth—on the water and beyond.”

Many Endeavour alumni have gone on to higher education and maritime careers, and some are now working as certified instructors, captains, and deckhands. Siblings Nijanae Pemberton and Jah-Shon Smith, both graduates of the Maritime Career Springboard Programme, now work full-time with Endeavour as Programme Instructor and Chief Instructor, respectively. 

Springboard graduate and Endeavour Intern Sivaja’ Perinchief shared, “Endeavour helped me build confidence and leadership skills. I even became a certified Dinghy Instructor. It changed my life.”

“These young leaders embody the heart of Endeavour’s mission,” said Mrs. Pitcher. “When young people are given opportunity, encouragement, and the right tools, they thrive. We’re incredibly proud of our impact and deeply grateful to the educators, donors, partners, supporters, youth participants and their families who make it possible. As we look to the next decade, our focus is clear: continue breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow and lead.” 

To mark its tenth anniversary milestone, Endeavour youth participants have taken part in community events such as the Bermuda Day Parade, Harbour Nights, and a World Ocean Day Coastal Clean-Up, in partnership with Keep Bermuda Beautiful. These events celebrate Endeavour’s continued focus on youth empowerment, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Endeavour’s programmes are offered free of charge, made possible through the generosity of donors including lead founding partner Orbis Investments, along with support from Arch Capital Group Ltd., PwC Bermuda, BF&M Ltd., L&F Indemnity Limited, Centennial Bermuda Foundation, Chubb Charitable Foundation – Bermuda, Everen Group, Butterfield, PartnerRe, Butterfield & Vallis, XL Foundation, and AXIS Specialty Ltd.

About Endeavour

Endeavour is a Bermuda-registered charity that engages diverse youth across Bermuda in experiential learning through sailing fostering confidence, life skills, and an appreciation for the marine environment and Bermuda’s maritime heritage. Through equitable access to sailing and exposure to STEAM and maritime career pathways, Endeavour inspires young people of all backgrounds and abilities to learn, grow, and thrive. For more information, email . 

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