About the Event
Like most great passions, this one begins with a story. Mine goes like this: my grandfather, a submariner, desperately wanted to send me to the Odessa Maritime Academy, but my parents stepped in, and the academy went on without me. While I was exploring the world with the neighborhood kids, my school friends were attending the “Young Sailors Club” at the Palace of Pioneers on Sparrow Hills. And once again, the sea was far away from me. Yet today, out of our whole big childhood gang, I’m the only one who fell in love with sailing and the sea so deeply that I now invite the people close to me and their families to discover active holidays under sail. Let’s share something real with our children, something that can change their lives, and let’s spend more time with them. That is the founding principle of our Young Sailors Academy!
Program
Day-by-day program
Day 1: Getting to Know Each Other
- General muster and team introductions.
- Every Academy student comes up with their own ship name.
- The host presents the training program and the goals of the week: to become true sailors, learn the ins and outs of life at sea, and find the treasures of Dalmatia.
- Logbooks are handed out.
- All students receive their Academy uniform.
- Briefing on onboard rules, safety, and how the crew works together with the skipper.
- Evening activity: socializing, getting acquainted, stories about sea voyages, and fascinating facts about the history of seafaring and famous pirates.
Day 2
- Morning exercises to help strengthen the sense of balance.
- Preparing for the start. The race begins!
- Each team receives an envelope with a rebus, riddle, or part of the quest to solve for bonus points.
- Theory session. Logbook chapter: “The Ship and Its Parts. The Crew.”
- Evening activity: building cardboard ships, naming them, a quiz on parts of the ship, and a paint battle.
Day 3
- Morning exercises to help strengthen the sense of balance.
- Each team receives an envelope with a rebus, riddle, or part of the quest to solve for bonus points.
- Theory session. Logbook chapter: “Tying Sailing Knots.”
- Evening activity: knot-tying competition and a game of sailors vs. pirates. Fishing.
Day 4
- Morning exercises to help strengthen the sense of balance.
- Each team receives an envelope with part of the quest to solve for bonus points.
- Theory session. Logbook chapter: “Types of Sailing Vessels.”
- Evening activity: a speed-drawing contest on types of ships and the interactive game “Nautical Charades.”
Day 5
- Morning exercises to help strengthen the sense of balance.
- Each team receives an envelope with part of the quest to solve for bonus points.
- Theory session. Logbook chapter: “Sea Life: Birds, Fish, and Sea Creatures.”
- Evening activity: team challenge (everyone splits into two teams and competes in tug-of-war, “Statues” and other games).
Day 6
- Morning exercises to help strengthen the sense of balance.
- Each team receives an envelope with part of the quest to solve for bonus points.
- Theory session. Logbook chapter: “Cardinal Directions. The Compass. Winds.”
- Evening activity:
- At last it’s time to put together all the clues the kids have solved throughout the regatta, which will lead them to the treasure map.
- When the crews arrive at the final marina, the teams combine their clues and find the treasure map.
- Now comes the most exciting part! The teams set off on an expedition to find the treasure.
- Hooray! The chest is found! (Jewels, pirate weapons, and sweets.)
Day 7
- Morning exercises to help strengthen the sense of balance.
- Theory session. Logbook chapter: “Sailors’ Holidays, Drinks, and Food.” Kids cook lunch together with their parents (for example, navy-style pasta).
- Evening activity: awards ceremony, gala concert, and a costume party for kids and adults alike! Contest for the best costume and the most creative sailor look made with face paint and paper.
Day 8
Returning the boats, packing up, and heading home :)
That’s our exciting program. See you at sea!
