Program Description

ActionQuest

Worldwide Adventures in Sailing, Scuba Diving, and Marine Science

Summer Programs
Caribbean, Mediterranean, Galapagos, Australia, and Tahiti Voyages


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For More Information, Contact
ActionQuest
P.O. Box 5517
Sarasota, Florida 34277
941-924-6789
800-317-6789 (toll-free)
Fax: 941-924-6075
http://www.actionquest.com
E-mail: info@actionquest.com

Type of Program: Live-aboard sailing and diving global expeditions: beginner and advanced sail training, all levels of scuba diving certifications, marine science, water sports, cultural and historical shore exploration, and community service. Participants are challenged with high action, life-changing adventures that promote personal growth, teamwork, and leadership. No previous experience necessary.
Participants: Coed, ages 13–18, grouped by grade.
Enrollment: More than 400 shipmates in seventeen different voyage programs grouped by age and grade. Group size ranges from 10 to 60.
Program Dates: Two-, three-, five-, and six-week programs from June through August.
Heads of Program: Mike Meighan, B.Sc.; James Stoll, Master Mariner

Location

ActionQuest offers programs for students of all levels, beginner through advanced, in the British Virgin Islands, the Leeward Islands, the Mediterranean, Galapagos, Australia, and Tahiti. Participants in all programs live aboard 50-foot sailing yachts and catamarans while voyaging from island to island.

Background and Philosophy

For over thirty years, ActionQuest has consistently delivered high-quality expedition-based summer programs for teenagers. Through hands-on experiential learning and adventure travel throughout the world, AQ has successfully ignited the inherent leadership skills within thousands of young adults. The AQ path offers action-packed adventures that focus on sailing, scuba diving, cultural immersion, marine biology, and global exploration—all in a “live-aboard” environment unlike any other. Centered on small, coed, age-appropriate groups of 8 to 20 teenagers, the experience is complemented by a committed, professional staff whose main goal is to support their shipmates’ discovery. The individual attention and camaraderie between staff and shipmates makes each voyage unique, as the entire team unites to accomplish the AQ mission of high action, real-world learning.

Program Offerings

British Virgin Islands Vega and Quest voyages are designed for shipmates with little or no previous experience and offer the broadest adventure activities. Shipmates earn sailing and diving certifications through International Yachtmaster Training (IYT) and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Waterskiing, windsurfing, small-boat sailing, and nautical training round out the program. For the more seasoned sailor or diver, programs are available for shipmates to build on their skills and earn IYT sailing certifications up to and including the Basic Flotilla Skipper Certificate and PADI Advanced and Specialty certifications. ActionQuest is the only fully accredited PADI International Five-Star Gold Palm Facility dedicated entirely to teenagers. For those already dive-certified, distinctive voyages offer participants multiple certifications while living aboard sailing yachts and diving to explore the rich coral reefs of the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Students receive training in safe diving practices from Advanced levels through to professional Divemaster level. These voyages are designed for teens ages 13–18 who have already been certified by any organization. Program offerings include PADI Advanced and Junior Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Master Scuba Diver, and Divemaster as well as ten different PADI specialties.
Tropical Marine Biology voyages, conducted by staff marine biologists, are live-aboard programs combining diving and field studies with marine sciences. This program is designed for participants interested in studying the coral reefs and participating in underwater research to build knowledge in this dynamic area of environmental science. High school credit documentation is available on request.
The Leeward Islands Voyage is a fast-paced sailing, hiking, and shore exploration adventure that visits ten different islands on a voyage that stretches from the BVI to the island of Antigua and back. Depending on previous experience, shipmates may earn IYT sailing certifications from International Crew Certificate to Basic Flotilla Skipper Certificate. Hiking the hand-carved steps to Mt. Scenery at Saba, exploring the rain forest and volcanic terrain of Nevis, and snorkeling the reefs of Ile Forche are some of the highlights.
The Mediterranean Voyage sails the French and Italian rivieras to ports of call that include Nice, Cannes, Corsica, Sardinia, Rome, Elba, Portofino, and Monte Carlo. This voyage combines offshore sailing skills with cultural and historical exploration.
The Galapagos Archipelago Experience combines snorkeling and hiking the main islands of the Galapagos with an expedition to Ecuador. Nature study, rain-forest trekking, white-water rafting, community service, and cultural exploration are part of the voyage.
The Australia and Great Barrier Reef Adventure encompasses exploration of Sydney, live-aboard sailing and diving in the Whitsunday Islands, and action-packed touring in Queensland—an incredible way to experience the land down under.
The Tahiti Voyage is an experience set in the exotic tropical South Seas. These volcanic islands offer lush rain forests, blue lagoons, and dazzling reefs and have a history rich with tradition. Activities include interisland sailing, snorkeling, trekking, and community service.

Enrollment

Every year, more than 400 shipmates and staff members from at least thirty-three different states and fifteen other countries participate. Coed crew members are grouped according to age and grade. Shipmates live together on yachts while sailing in a fleet in the BVIs. Other locations are single- or two-boat programs. Small groups and close working relationships help build lasting friendships and allow for a strongly beneficial experience in teamwork.

Daily Schedule

About the only thing typical of the ActionQuest day is that there is no such thing as a typical day. The days are as varied as the activities pursued. A rotation of positions aboard allows shipmates to develop diverse skills—whether as skipper of the day or chef. Regardless of prior experience, the first time the yachts sail from the dock, it is a shipmate who takes the helm under the guidance of licensed sailing masters. Whether participants are sailing, scuba diving, trekking, or simply taking in the local sights and sounds, each day is another opportunity to make life extraordinary.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

Although all shipmates participate in most of the core certification programs, the optional Action Credit program is designed to quantify what is learned and accomplished during the voyage. The program encompasses forty-five skills useful both on and off the water. ActionQuest also offers Sea|mester programs (global semester-at-sea voyages for college students) and Lifeworks international service-learning programs (http://www.lifeworks-international.com).

Facilities

All shipmates live aboard modern, fully equipped 50-foot sailing yachts or catamarans, each containing five cabins with four bathrooms and showers. Ninety sets of dive gear are carried with more than 120 tanks and nine ski boats. Laser sailboats, Mistral windsurfers, wake boards, water skis, and all other training equipment are provided.

Staff

Sailing and diving instructors are fully licensed and certified men and women eager to share their areas of expertise. They come from a variety of backgrounds. Many have been with ActionQuest for years. Among the more than 40 staff members are 15 USCG-licensed Sailing Masters, 15 PADI-certified dive instructors, and those assisting in other activities. No other U.S.-based program can offer their combined level of certification and experience. The staff-shipmate ratio is 1:4, and the average staff age is 27.

Costs

Program costs for two- and three-week voyages in 2008 ranged from $4170 to $5230. Five- and six-week program costs vary, depending upon courses chosen.

Transportation

Shipmates fly in small groups, and staff assistance is available at arrival airports.

Application Timetable

Applications are accepted at any time. Some programs fill up faster in certain age groups than in others. Some fill up in February, but most are full by April. Students should call for information on availability if applying late.