Two new sailors stand on the pier, ready with life jackets buckled, as their instructor makes the final preparations to a Cal 25 for departure. The pair is about to set out on a weekend voyage to the Channel Islands, accompanied by their parents and a skilled crew from LifeSail.  The whole family loads the vessel, excited for the experience of open-ocean sailing. 

The two Bakersfield siblings, Cooper and Lillian Mills, are both enrolled at Elite Academic Academy and recently attended a summer of sailing lessons with LifeSail, a non-profit sailing organization out of Marina Del Rey. The class they took was a part of the Adventure Academy, a CTE enrichment program at Elite that is focused on outdoor education and natural awareness. Like the Mills siblings, numerous students across the United States spent their summers enrolled in nature connection and outdoor based learning programs. 

A recent article from NPR writes, “Demand has surged for outdoor and wilderness programs, driven by parents desperate to get their kids off-screen and out of the house. Numerous New England wilderness schools report they could double or triple their already increased programming and still have waiting lists.” And it doesn’t stop there. Outdoor programs are gaining popularity and recognition throughout the nation. 

“I think we’re entering the golden age of outdoor education,” says Sam Stegeman, executive director of the Vermont Wilderness School. “Because of COVID, one of the silver linings is we’re finally getting huge numbers of American children outdoors during the school day.”The importance of engaging with our natural surroundings is increasingly valuable in an ever-digitizing age. Many students are taking classes virtually this school year, influencing parents to look towards outdoor education as an avenue to supplement their student’s learning. 

Robert, the father of the two young sailors writes, “As a parent, I feel truly blessed that my two children were able to experience sailing on the open ocean. This was an incredibly enriching program for them, during a time when most learning is happening over video conferences and emails.” Sailing truly is a remarkable learning tool; topics of physics, navigation and natural sciences are all easily woven into a fun day on the bay. Young sailors are particularly precocious when it comes to learning the ropes. 

The Life Sail program made me see things in a different perspective, making me realize how hard things may be in the beginning, but if you put your mind to it, you can do it,” says Lillian, age 13, after her summer sailing experience, “I would definitely recommend it to others.” Her little brother, Cooper had good things to say too. “The coaches weren’t just my teachers but my friends. They showed me why we work for what we love and why we do it. During the life sail camp I made many friendships that will last my whole life.” Both students ended the summer with a family trip to Catalina Island, allowing them to feel the solitude of big water as the coast fades into the horizon. 

The program they attended was created to facilitate long-remembered experiences with nature. The Adventure Academy is offered through Elite, a non-profit, which serves students in 8 counties throughout Southern California. “Our school is truly blazing a new trail,” says Tom Olson, the Adventure Academy Lead, “we are building a virtual outdoor education program with hands-on, real-life experiences that capstone concepts. It is inclusive and anyone is allowed to participate, regardless of skill level or background.” The course that the Mills family completed was the first section of a progression of classes that aims to give students insight into the industry of Tourism & Recreation, a facet of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Elite.“CTE is a really awesome program; it gives students the opportunity to develop life skills like working towards hard to achieve goals, particularly certifications. Just the nature of outdoor education fosters team building and camaraderie. It shows kids how to work together to solve problems in a living, changing environment. I think it helps build adaptability and interpersonal skills,”  Tom explains. The school aims to expand their offerings into topics beyond the marina, such as wilderness medicine, backcountry preparedness and life skills such as fire safety and trip planning. 

“We are empowering youth to think critically, take responsibility, and engage with their surroundings.” Tom says, “The natural world serves as a tool to build leaders and instills a lifelong respect for the environment. The utility of these experiences is invaluable & long-lasting.”

Elite LifeSail Program

Here is a testimonial from an Elite Family that thrived with the LifeSail Program and credits our Community Partner for enriching their educational experience during this uncertain time. 

 The life sail program gave me a new perspective of the world. Mr. Matt and the life sail coaches showed me teamwork, how to face your fears, to pursue your passion, and to keep on dreaming. Mr. Matt was the organizer. But to me he is a mentor, someone who showed me what I love and who I want to be. However the life sail camp would not be if it wasn’t for the coaches. The coaches weren’t just my teachers but my friends. They showed me why we work for what we love and why we do it. During the life sail camp I made many friendships that will last my whole life. My experience at LifeSail was truly a time to remember. I will never forget my beautiful experience at LifeSail.

-Cooper Mills Age 11

The Life Sail program made me see things in a different perspective, making me realize how hard things may be in the beginning, if you put your mind to it, you can do it. Coach Steven is very helpful and made sure to tend to my needs, and help me with learning how to sail better. Coach Cynthia was very nice, and helped me learn how to control a jib sheet. Coach Fernando was funny, but when he needed something to get done, he made sure it got done. Coach Matt was a great coach to me. He meant business and he would always get everything done neatly and organized. Everyone at Life Sail was very influential and I would definitely recommend it to others.

-Lilly Mills Age 13

We are so grateful to Mr. Matt for creating this wonderful program. As a parent, I feel truly blessed that my two children were able to experience sailing on the open ocean. This was an incredibly enriching program for them, during a time when most learning is happening over video conferences and emails. I thank Mr. Matt and all of the coaches at Life Sail for giving my kids a life changing experience. I know they are better for it.

-Robert Mills, Father of Lilly and Cooper