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Inspiring Bermuda’s Youth with Experiential Learning

3 Jun 2020

Endeavour Community Sailing has released its 2018/19 Impact Report highlighting the enormous difference its programmes are making in the lives of Bermuda’s young people. Endeavour Community Sailing is a nonprofit and registered charity committed to creating brighter futures for Bermuda’s youth with experiential education through sailing that builds self-confidence and develops life skills such as teamwork, communication and critical-thinking skills.

Leatrice Oatley, Endeavour’s Chairperson, explains, “Endeavour Community Sailing is making a significant impact in our community with 3,725 young lives transformed after engaging in Endeavour’s programmes since 2015. Bermuda is perfectly situated as an Island-nation with its rich maritime heritage to inspire youth by connecting them with the marine environment and exposing them to sailing. We recognise that access to opportunities is not the same for everyone in our community. We want to ensure youth of all backgrounds, skills and abilities have access to opportunities to improve their lives which is why Endeavour’s school-based programmes are offered at no cost and bursaries are available for young Bermudians to participate in the Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme.”

Jennifer Pitcher, Community Engagement, Development & Partnerships Manager, states, “As we reflect on the past year we celebrate the extraordinary achievements and many ways that Endeavour is making a measurable difference in our community. Endeavour has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Limited (PwC) to assist in the assessment and reporting of the social impact that Endeavour delivers to the community, and obtaining stakeholder feedback as to how Endeavour is achieving its goals. Endeavour’s Board and staff are committed to fulfilling and furthering our mission, ensuring the relevance of Endeavour’s programmes, delivering on our goals and ensuring we are meeting or exceeding expectations. We thus measure our results independently. We are thrilled to share with you our 2019 Impact Report. We couldn’t be prouder of the impressive results summarized in this Report which demonstrate how Endeavour is impacting thousands of young people across Bermuda by providing opportunities for them to develop the skills they need to lead successful lives.”

Link to report

Endeavour offers five unique experiential education programmes to Bermuda’s youth.

1. The Endeavour Middle School Programme is offered to every student in Bermuda during his or her first year of middle school; 652 students were engaged during the 2018-19 school year. The five-day programme immerses students in an inquiry-based learning experience focused on real-life applications of Science, Engineering, Arts and Math that are complimented by on-water sessions as young scholars build on knowledge in the classroom to enhance their understanding of STEAM concepts.

As young scholars connect what they are learning on the water with what they are learning in the classroom, their interest is sparked as they deepen their understanding of real-life applications of math and science; 79% of 556 M1 students who provided their feedback reporting an improvement of math and/or science skills as a result of their participation. Each STEAM learning module is designed to align with the Cambridge Curriculum learning objectives that are implemented in Bermuda’s public schools.

Endeavour is grateful and honoured to partner with local schools for the Endeavour Middle School Programme over the past 5 years. Teachers agree that Endeavour’s programmes increase students’ interest toward learning about STEAM subjects with the majority of respondents indicating that students’ interest in learning about math and science is increased as a result of participating in an Endeavour programme. Special thanks to the Ministry of Education, principals, administrators and teacher chaperones for their invaluable support. During the 2018-19 school year 120 teachers supported Endeavour’s school programmes contributing an estimated 2,302 hours.

2. The Endeavour After-School Programme is an eight-week experience offered to P5 and P6 students at 13 government primary schools to introduce the fundamentals of sailing and water safety. Amongst 142 9-10 year olds who participated during the 2018-19 school year, 87% reported they improved their teamwork as a result of participating in the Endeavour After-School Programme.

Endeavour is thankful for the support from participating schools along with the Department of Youth, Sports and Recreation toward the programme’s ongoing success. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 it was not possible to offer the programme this spring however we look forward to opportunity to provide similar offerings in the future. Endeavour is especially grateful to Heron Bay Primary and Francis Patton Primary schools for hosting information sessions for new participants and their families.

3. The Endeavour Graduate Programme offers retention pathway for students to continue to develop their sailing skills. During the Endeavour Middle School Programme students are evaluated on their teamwork, respect for others, listening skills, willingness to learn, and overall effort, and those demonstrating the highest values and interest to continue sailing are invited to the Endeavour Graduate Programme. The programme is designed to bring together students from different schools as they advance their skills whilst meeting new friends. It is offered in the summer and on weekends and mid-term breaks during the school year. Of the 82 students who provided their feedback 96% reported their confidence increased as a result of participating in the Endeavour Graduate Programme and 94% said they recommend the programme to others.

4. The BF&M No Limits Sailing Programme provides experiential learning activities for students on the Autism Spectrum or with developmental challenges as a form of recreational therapy that allows them to learn about wind awareness and weather, buoyancy and sailing fundamentals in a safe and fun learning environment at their own pace and comfort level. It is offered to students at Prospect Primary, Paget Primary, West Pembroke Primary, Dellwood Middle School and The Berkeley Institute. Amongst 18 families who provided their feedback, 89% indicated their child benefited from the No Limits Sailing Programme by adapting to a new environment.

Tristan Loescher, Endeavour West Programme Manager explains, “While COVID-19 is affecting everyone in our community and creating an ever-changing environment full of challenges, the Endeavour team is rising to the occasion to be creative and resourceful as we adapt our programme delivery to keep connected and engaged with youth through virtual learning opportunities. We have embraced virtual learning to connect with students and teachers through a series of educational videos and Zoom video calls to adapt during COVID-19. It’s been incredible to see the positive response and engagement of students during our interactions. We are truly grateful for the support of our education partners, teachers and students’ families.”

5. The Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme is a 7-week training programme for young Bermudians interested in a maritime career that focuses on employability skills and vocational training offered in partnership with the Bermuda College Division of Professional and Career Education (PACE).

Karen Smith, Programme Coordinator with the Bermuda College PACE Division, states, “I enjoyed seeing the transformation of the young Bermudians who participate. When some of them had their initial interview they were very shy, and were not very confident. During the programme they formed amazing relationships with their peers and instructors, became more confident and collaborative.” Amongst the cohort of young Bermudians who completed Endeavour Maritime Springboard Programme 89% were extremely satisfied with their experience and felt that the programme prepared them toward meeting their objectives and goals.

Mario Thompson, Endeavour Board Member and Pilot Warden for the Department of Marine & Ports Services, states, “It is remarkable to see the hard work and determination of young Bermudians who participate in this unique career development opportunity. We commend their efforts and wish them the best in their future endeavours. It is inspiring to see the involvement of those who have entered maritime careers after completing the programme are now giving back and supporting other young Bermudians during the 2020 programme including Kristopher Cameron who works as an apprentice with Spar Yard Marine Solutions, Courtney Dublin who works with Cruise Port Ferry Management Limited and Ethan Edmunds who coaches sailing with the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club and also an Apprentice with Ocean Sails.

Two alumni from the 2018 pilot programme have joined the Endeavour team as full-time instructors – Moriah Wheddon and Tre Maxwell. Matthew Stephens was also part of the 2018 cohort has been quite successful in securing overseas opportunities including an internship with SailGP and the Clipper Round the World Race as part of the Bermuda Tourism Authority GoToBermuda team. Matthew also dedicates his time and talent with Endeavour as a freelance instructor and capturing content, for which which he was recognised as Endeavour’s youth volunteer of the year in 2019.

Mrs. Pitcher adds, “We are grateful to our valued donors, supporters and partners who make Endeavour’s programmes possible. We are exceptionally thankful for lead founding partner Orbis Investments for their unwavering support of Endeavour since its inception in 2015. Huge appreciation to Endeavour’s team and Board for their relentless passion, tireless efforts and unwavering commitment toward Endeavour’s mission. Together, we look forward to building on Endeavour’s successes and strengthening our partnerships as we approach unchartered waters ahead. We strive to make our experiential programmes even better as we continue serve the community for many years to come. To all of our valued supporters, thank you for helping us to provide life-changing experiences for youth across Bermuda.”

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