Other positive psychological outcomes include active involvement, co-operative teamwork, leadership ability, open thinking, quality seeking, self-efficacy, social effectiveness, stress management and time efficacy. Thus, overall life effectiveness is enhanced as a consequence of participating in a developmental voyage on board the Spirit. Importantly, all the improvements the trainees experience were maintained at their increased levels of four to five months after the voyage ended. Further research is desirable to assess the experience of at-risk youth on board the ship. Land-based studies such as Outward Bound have identified that at-risk participants experience larger gains as a result of outdoor education programmes, often continuing to increase after completion. Sail training voyages aboard the Spirit appear to make a lasting
difference to the trainees' lives. Future research should assess whether the effects examined in the present study endure beyond five months. Outward Bound research suggests the benefits are still in effect some 18 months afterward. Key Sydney findings: The experience of sail training has a positive impact on forming a civic identity, producing young people with enhanced social skills, increased levels of trust in others and who value teamwork and cooperation. Eighty-five percent of respondents said their views on cooperation were enhanced by the voyage, 76 percent felt the voyage had a positive influence on their social skills and 73 percent said the experience shaped their views on tolerance. Few other adventure programmes provide the effect of a total institution giving an advantage over other programmes. (Total institution: usually an environment such as a prison or hospital; a tall ship is similar in requiring detailed management of daily activities and the physical removal of participants from a familiar environment, but is different in being short- time and voluntary).
Physical demands (eg. climbing the mast, managing sleep deprivation and seasickness) do not necessarily linger as the legacy of the voyage. Rather, they are translated, over time, into more enduring social skills, such as self-control, goal achievement, self-confidence and an enhanced knowledge of self-management.
Dean Lawrence is the chief executive of the Spirit of Adventure Trust. See www.spiritofadventure.org.nz
TRUST KEEN TO FIND
EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE EXPERTISE
LOST ALUMNI Are you a past Spirit of New Zealand or Spirit of Adventure voyager, or do you know someone who is? If so, we need your help.
Unfortunately, the voyage records of past sailings were destroyed in a devastating flood, so we are trying to recon- nect the Spirit of Adventure Trust with as many old (but young at heart) voyagers as we can. "We are on a mission, so if you were lucky enough to have sailed on one of these life-changing voyages, can you give us a hand," says the chief executive of the trust, Dean Lawrence. "Tell us about yourself, your sailing details and even share your photographs." The trust's principal corporate partner, Hyundai Motors, has launched a Facebook page to make it easy. See www. facebook.com/HyundaiNZ, look for the Spirit of Adventure connection and register.
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November/December 2011 Professional Skipper 61
VIP.WB11
VIP.S84
