Welcome to our Testimonials page!
We have listed below a selection of the testimonials we have received from Adult Leaders who have sailed with us. We hope this will help you to appreciate what our programs offer, how our trips are structured and what they deliver in terms of growth, development and fulfillment opportunities for both the youth and Adult Leaders alike.
We cannot show all our Testimonials at any one time due to loading time and space restrictions so we rotate these regularly in order to provide a balanced perspective to assist you in deciding whether our sailing adventure programs may be suitable for your Scout Troop or Venture Crew.
Enjoy reading what other folks thought of their trips with our organization and we look forward to the possibility of your group sailing with us in the future!
"Thank you for your outstanding instruction, direction and support to Sea Scout Ship 1176, Boy Scouts of America, National Capital Area Council, on our Long Cruise (High Adventure) 2009, June 28th to July 5th 2009. Your Course in ‘Advanced Sailing’ was superb for our Sea Scouts who were already skilled in basic sailing. Your instruction and hands-on experience took our Sea Scouts to a new level of sailing experience and competence in sail trim, advanced sail configuration, ship handling, navigation, ground tackle use under sail, and severe weather sailing. The mess and food were expertly and deliciously supervised by the First Mate. Adventures ashore on the Abaco Cays and snorkeling on the reefs added variety and fun to the adventure."
"We had a wonderful time sailing with Sail School Bahamas. I had sailed with our troop four years ago with Sea Base and had intended on repeating the trip. Sea Base was booked so I followed up on a flyer for Sail School Bahamas that had been distributed through our Council. It couldn’t have worked out better! Not only did the scouts and leaders have a great time, we learned to sail, learned about the Bahamas, Scotland, the sea environment, snorkeling and truly bonded as a group. The captain and first mate were wonderful ambassadors, hosts, teachers and the curriculum was much more thorough than Sea Base. The sail boat was very ideally suited for our group and was a blast to sail. The itinerary was well planned yet flexible; the food was fantastic (always important). The trip had a perfect balance of learning, team work, challenge and fun all in an extremely safe environment. I have two more sons that are 11 and 13 and will certainly return when they are ready. I recommend this trip to any group that is looking for a special high adventure trip that creates lifelong memories."
"Our trip to ‘learn how to sail’ with Sail School Bahamas was everything we could have hoped. The pre-trip support was extensive and once we arrived we wasted no time at all in getting underway. By the end of the first day we had been snorkeling, taking our first sailing lessons and enjoying the spectacular scenery. We spent the rest of our trip either sailing around all the various islands, snorkeling on the reef or visiting some of the island settlements. We climbed the lighthouse in Hope Town, enjoyed awesome food onboard and made the most of our international High Adventure. Our program was action packed but our Captain tailored it to suit us and it was as flexible as we could have wished. We all learned how to sail, the boys matured individually and as a team, the trip represented excellent value for money and I know everyone in our group had a blast. On behalf of our Adult Leaders, we would have no hesitation in recommending Sail School Bahamas to any other Scouts or Venturers who want to experience the trip of a lifetime and we would love the chance to come back again."
"I am an Assistant Scout Master with Troop 952 in Clear Lake, TX and lea a crew of 6 scouts on a High Adventure trip to the Bahamas over spring break this year. We spent a week sailing with Sail School Bahamas, and can highly recommend this program to other scout troops looking for a terrific high adventure trip.
We picked the Sail School Bahamas trip after completing Philmont in summer 2008, with 3 goals – safety, learning the elements of sailing and snorkeling and having FUN! In all three areas Sail School Bahamas exceeded all expectations. Our vessel was a pleasure to sail and all the equipment aboard was well maintained and organized. Throughout our time onboard the Captain and First Mate emphasized how the entire crew was responsible for the safety of vessel and incorporated safety drills into our daily routine. We were doing full man overboard drills by the end of the week! Our scouts learnt to sail with hands on lessons in boat handling, sail setting, navigation, reading the wind and weather and a dash of local history and culture. As a crew they took responsibility for setting a daily schedule, boat chores and working together as a team to set and handle sail. What really made the week memorable was the balance between the learning experiences and the fun of snorkeling on amazing coral reefs, conch hunting, fishing, beachcombing and poking around the varied and beautiful islands of the Abacos. The food was fresh and plentiful and everyone ate well. Our Captain and First Mate were fantastic guides to the best local sailing and spots ashore, and matched the interests and abilities of our scouts with activities that challenged and engaged them all. Sail School Bahamas made arranging and taking a group of scouts out of the country hassle free.
In summary we all had a great time, our scouts learnt the basics of sailing and snorkeling, and everyone came home safely. Since returning to Texas the tales of this trip are getting taller, and our younger scouts keep asking when they will have a chance to go to on a trip with Sail School Bahamas. I can highly recommend this trip and Sail School Bahamas to any group of scouts looking for a High Adventure trip that you will remember for a lifetime. Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information about our trip or Sail School Bahamas.
Respectfully yours,
Robert Armstrong"
"What a GREAT experience. This was the "perfect" Spring Break adventure for our scouts. Usually during Spring Break we have a hard time having meetings and scheduling troop activities. However, this past spring a small group of our scouts (and adults) were able to go to the Bahamas for a great sailing adventure. This is the first crew we have sent to the Bahamas and without a doubt will not be the last. Our Hosts, Captain Brian and First Mate Catherine could not have been more accommodating and gracious. Their sailing experience, knowledge of The Abaco Islands and attention to safety at all times made this trip enjoyable from the start. From the very first day the scouts were amerced in sailing, snorkeling, history of the islands and life at sea. Whenever possible we will be going back to the Bahamas and sailing with SailSchool Bahamas.
All the scouts were able to complete all merit badge requirements for Small Boat Sailing with the exception of capsizing and righting the sailboat; thank goodness! They all learned how much goes into sailing including raising sails, navigation, tacking, what to do during different wind movements and weather, and how to read all the instrumentation. Each were able to be at the helm many times and as often as they liked. All the adults were also part of the crew and had to learn everything the scouts learned. Leadership and listening skills were honed and stressed to make sure they all understood how to effectively maneuver the boat. After sailing each day the crew was able to spend time snorkeling in the pristine waters of Abaco, do some swimming, visiting the small island towns of Abaco and enjoy the history and local laid back culture of the Bahamas. The crew also made time for a side excursion of scuba diving; an experience they will never forget. Other than the many hours of fantastic sailing this was one many highlights of the trip. We almost had to take a couple of Grouper home as pets. The people of Abaco are among the friendliest I have ever met. We were welcome at many motel pools when on land (just buy a drink please).
Finally, I want to personally thank the Captain and First Mate for one of the best High Adventure camps our troop has ever done. I knew it was going be a great trip even before we arrived. In all the correspondence in planning the trip, I was given all the information and advise the Troop could have possibly needed. Everything was just as advertised and more. As we were boarding the plane to go home my son asked "When are we coming back?" A sign of a truly enjoyable and memorable trip. The entire crew feels like we made new friends in the Bahamas. I was so impressed I am considering an adventure with the entire family. We can't wait to see you again.
From Troop 996 - Thanks for a great experience!"
"Our experience with Sail School Bahamas was one of great fulfillment. As adult leaders we found the crew to be professional, experienced, knowledgeable of the area, and above all safety conscious. The scouts learned hands-on how to sail – sail raising, sail movement, navigation, reading the wind and weather, how the boat functions. More importantly, the scouts honed leadership skills – taking instruction from the Captain, serving in the chain-of-command, working as a team to accomplish the tasks at hand, and honoring the adult leaders. The Scouts also learned the importance of listening to and understanding the commands given by the Captain and the First Mate as being essential in operating the boat effectively and efficiently and most importantly safely. It was stressed to them that if they did not understand a command- they were to ask questions to make sure that they did- and each needed to be able to perform their assigned tasks in order to accomplish the task at hand They also got to snorkel many reefs, fish, swim, beach comb, and sleep on the deck. During our shore excursions we experienced the local culture, did a little gift shopping, and saw many interesting landmarks, both natural and man-made. Not to mention the thrill for the scouts of leaving the country. The food was terrific and the weather great; even the rain was fun! We would highly recommend SSB for any group interested in experiencing the beauty of the Abaco Islands while on a learning adventure. You won’t be disappointed and you’ll always feel secure. The trip surpassed our expectations and was truly an enjoyable experience for all of us. Please feel free to contact anyone of us for additional feedback."
"Our Sail School Bahamas trip exceeded my expectations in every regard. The trip provided a perfect balance of, systematic teaching of the skills for sailing, navigation of the local waters, respect for our environment, the day to day responsibilities of maintaining a sailboat and FUN! Each day provided a variety of adventures that were "hands on" growth experiences for all who participated, (including the Dads!) The sailboat and the environment that our Captain established are a safe environment for learning about sailing in some of the most beautiful waters in the world.
Within hours of leaving the Bahamas, the young men we took were asking about going back next year! "
"I just wanted to thank Sail School Bahamas, and of course our Captain, for putting together such a great program for us. It was as much a vacation as it was a summer camp. The boys never had more fun at a summer camp, and quite honestly neither have I. Our Captain was a perfect fit for our scouts, just the right mix of coach, skipper, and new friend. The boys not only learned something about sailing but I believe they enjoyed the cultural exchanges just as much.
Your sailing program has just the right mix of structure and flexibility. We found that there was more to do than we could possibly get to in the time allotted. Our biggest problem was trying to decide what to leave out! There was an emphasis on learning to sail, but it was done in a way so that the scouts had fun. My experience is that when fun and learning are combined everyone has a great time. Throw in snorkeling and scuba diving and you wind up with an unsurpassed summer camp experience. As soon as our next group of scouts are old enough I’m confident you will see us again.
I know from my many years as a Scout leader there are two things which leaders want to know when summer camps are discussed, food and program, the latter which I covered above. We were very pleased with the variety and quantity of food found onboard our sailboat. As you can imagine scouts can sometimes be choosy about what they eat, but none of our boys had any trouble in finding enough to eat. The fresh fish was a real treat, and all the scouts consumed it with great enthusiasm. We also enjoyed exposing our Captain’s taste buds to a few twists and turns. He seemed to really enjoy the chocolate chip pancakes, the French toast with cinnamon and sugar, our rice pilaf, and vanilla pudding with “Nilla Vanilla Wafers”. The scouts found cooking while underway a new experience, and I have a new appreciation for cooking on a stove that is not moving about.
I would also like to commend you on the vessel. She was perfect for our trip, well maintained, safe, and a pleasure to sail. There was plenty of room for everyone, and no one felt crowded. Some of our scouts had expressed concerns with the idea of sleeping on deck, but they found it to be quite a pleasant experience, as did Bob and I. Two of our scouts were startled one night by the sound of dolphins surfacing by the boat, something we’ve never had happen at any of our land based camps. There is nothing more beautiful than a boat under sail and the sounds and sights of this trip will stay with our scouts long after they lose their “sea legs”.
Finally, on a personal note I want to express my gratitude for accurately portraying your program on your website. There were no surprises, and as a leader that helps to make a good experience for those of us responsible for the scouts. My week spent with Sail School Bahamas has renewed my interest in sailing, so don’t be surprised if one day you hear a call over the VHF from an old scoutmaster."
"We had an outstanding time learning to sail in the Sea of Abaco. Booking the trip was easy, getting to the islands was straightforward and the pre-trip support and information from Sail School Bahamas was extremely helpful. The sailboats were fantastic and some of our boys said the food onboard was better than at home! Our crews had a fantastic time and we would love to come back again in the future."
"Just wanted to thank you for an amazing week. We had such a great time and the boys have not stopped talking about the trip. Also, thanks for putting some pictures of us on your site. Brian and Jimmy looked great sleeping on the deck. We looked pretty good going home in our new shirts, which were a nice gift. We gave you two recommendations before we even left the airport at Marsh Harbour. I gave a great report at our troop committee meeting on Thursday night. I think what impressed me most is that there was constant teaching and education. Even when we were not sailing we were constantly learning. Through stories, looking at charts, or tying knots, the education process was continuous and fun. You are both great natural teachers. I saw Paul Johnson, who is our high adventure chairman, and thanked him for the recommendation. We both agreed that we would recommend the program to future crews. We are already discussing Advanced Sail and Dive in 2009. We are sorting through hundreds of pictures and videos and will be creating a DVD to show to family, friends and the troop. I will try to get one to you. I will also provide the link to our troop site when we get some pictures posted. Hope the rest of your season goes well. I just looked at barometerbob.com and it looks like nice weather and 10kt winds for your week ahead. Please feel free use this email on your site. Thanks again for a fantastic adventure."
"We sent two crews to the Bahamas and they had a great time. In addition to learning how to sail as we traveled around the various islands of the Sea of Abaco, we all did some incredible snorkeling, fishing and shore trips.
Our Captains focussed on safety, they were professional and knowledgeable and helped us make the most of our trip. The pre-trip support from Sail School Bahamas was really great - Thanks! Booking was easy, getting there was straightforward and we highly recommend this High Adventure sailing trip to other Scouts!"
"If your Troop is looking for an alternative to SeaBase, this is the organization to book with! The Abacos is the place to visit to appreciate the real Islands of the Bahamas - the people are some of the friendliest you will ever meet and the scenery is second to none. Our Captain’s knowledge of the area and it’s history was very interesting and his vast knowledge of the best spots for snorkeling was great! The reef in the Abacos is better than Florida and the water cleaner to be able to enjoy it all. Sleeping on deck was more comfortable than I expected! The food was great and we had plenty to eat. This was a great experience for our Scouts to learn to sail."
"What an awesome High Adventure for Scouts, this is the second crew our Troop has sent in 2 yrs! Booking was easy, getting there was simple and learning how to sail was fun! We certainly intend sending more crews to Sail School Bahamas and highly recommend their programs!"
"Our experience with Sail School Bahamas exceeded all expectations. The instruction was thorough, the food was sensational, and the sailing was terrific. The Captain and First Mate of our boat were both knowledgeable and apt at their craft. There was a good blend of sailing, snorkeling, and on-shore activities. The scouts practiced teamwork, did some serious cooking, and were able to experience international travel and US Customs. The sailing weather and water are beautiful. Our troop is eager to go back, and many are hoping to try the advanced sail and SCUBA week."
"A great High Adventure program! Professionally conducted, outstanding instruction in sailing, and FUN! Our Scouts had an unforgettable week, and they want to go again. Planning and scheduling was easy, we customized our own program, and the staff was terrific in their support both during our planning and throughout our stay!"
"I have been approached by Sail School Bahamas, to provide a reference on behalf of this charter. This I am glad to do.
I was Scoutmaster/Group Leader for an outing to the Bahamas in the summer of 2006. Two other leaders & myself took six boys to Sail school. I am an analyst by profession, a long time Navy Reservist and have been around boats most of my life.
The sailing program started day one, the very first time we got underway. The boys were crew with the skipper and first mate in charge. After an initial safety brief, fundamentals of sailing and deck seamanship were taught. As crew under instruction, the boys raised sails, stowed gear and trimmed ship. Marlinspike seamanship (equipment and knots), were taught, while a few ‘sea stories’ were shared. Anchor watches were scheduled and coordinated when necessary. If there is an area in which you wish to concentrate, your Skipper will be glad to oblige. The program is thorough, yet flexible.
Equipment reliability was never in doubt. Our sailboat was a fine vessel that was fully equipped. Reliable radar, radio communications, auxiliary power and navigational instruments were always at the ready.
Safety was at a very high level at all times. Our craft was equipped with a large dinghy, capable of carrying several people. Man overboard drills, line safety precautions and general boat/water safety were taught on a recurring basis throughout the week. Weather is very changeable in the Bahamas. In the morning, everyone monitored the weather forecast, we decided on our course and destination for the day and the weather was regularly monitored after that.
The fact that troop 451 is returning to Sail School this summer (a new leader & group) will further serve to emphasize my endorsement of Sail School Bahamas. In short, we had a great time and I would most certainly trust our Skipper & his First Mate to provide a quality, safe & educational experience for your group."
