Why SALTS?

Six reasons to add our sail training adventure to your summer!

With summer on the horizon, how will you spend it?! Whether you are on the lookout for the best opportunity for your child or you’re trying to convince your parents to send you on a SALTS trip, here are some parent-approved reasons why SALTS is an opportunity to get excited about!

1. SALTS EXPANDS COMFORT ZONES Spend time on the water, away from technology and everyday life. As routines and community fall into place, it is a wonderful respite. As one mom shares, “I feel that SALTS has instilled a… bond with the mystery and majesty of the BC Coast; in a 15-year-old boy, that’s quite an unusual feat. He loves soccer, physics, his friends, cooking and his Xbox, but if given an option on how to spend a week of his spare time, sailing on SALTS would take precedence over all his other loves.”

2. SALTS OFFERS UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES OF THE BC COAST

Venture into the arteries of Desolation Sound, amid the islands of Haida Gwaii, or along the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Experience the thrill of standing at the helm, guiding a 40-metre ship through peaceful fjords or over the open ocean. Thousands of miles of coastline, inaccessible by vehicles, are now within reach. As Jennifer, the mother of a 2019 trainee, says, “How else would [our son] have the opportunity to see hidden coves, beaches and hot springs along the west coast of Vancouver Island? He ate fish that was caught fresh, climbed the mast, sang along to new songs, established awesome friendships with teens from all over and had his self-confidence boosted to levels we couldn’t imagine.”

3. SALTS ENCOURAGES CONNECTION

From deck cleaning in the morning to standing watch at night, learn to look beyond yourself. As your contribution impacts the community, experience the impact of teamwork. Kate, a parent and SALTS alumna, wanted her son to experience the strength of community on board as she had. “The friendships you form, the freedom to be your true self–there is no preconceived notion of who you are, like there is at school. There are no electronic distractions, you have an opportunity to talk to people, connect, and there is always so much laughter onboard,” she says.



4. SALTS ENCOURAGES CONTRIBUTION

The SALTS ship can’t sail without the contribution of every person onboard. Work together to operate the ship and sail her smoothly; relishing the bond of community in the process. “You have to communicate with your ship mates, work through challenges together, with patience, tolerance and acceptance. All of this leads to the forming of lifelong friendships.” says Kate.

5. SALTS NOURISHES Come and be nourished – and when we say SALTS nourishes, we mean holistically. “I so appreciated the holistic approach of SALTS in engaging youth in life topics and learning,” says one dad, Richard. “I was thrilled to learn that the food was healthy… I love that faith is lived out in nature and in engaging the environment. I also appreciate the staff who challenge the youth to take on leadership roles and support them as they grow and develop.”

6. SALTS CHANGES THE COURSE OF LIVES

Experience a trip that can change the way you live your life. Parents share about how their child's life was impacted and trainees notice the changes in themselves too. Tanya tells about her 14-year-old daughter and says “She’s easier to rouse in the morning for school, and more willing to help out around the house. She’s more receptive to guidance and direction. She seems to accept that she’s part of a larger group, not just an individual with her own needs and desire for fun. She’s become more of a contributor since last summer’s sail, and overall, more mature and thoughtful." Another mom shares that “they may not realize it at the time but looking back 10 years from now they will recognize their SALTS experience as playing a role in who they have become. That is priceless.”

Photos by Julia Hood and Christa Brunt