Let us set you on the path to awesome! Join us next summer for a singular personal development adventure in France, DESIGnED ESPECIALLy FoR TEEnAGERS by seasoned educators and volunteers committed to social good.
“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its original dimensions.””
The QBE European Leadership School (ELS) offers unique sailing expeditions for high-school students on extraordinary, hard-to-come-by classic boats. Part personal development course, part outdoor adventure, our summer expeditions take you to off-the-beaten-path ports and anchorages along the magical coastlines of western France, the Channel Islands, and the south of England. Along the way you’ll discover the area’s local cultures, explore a surprisingly vibrant coastal ecosystem, and learn a little history, a lot about old-school sailing, and quite a bit about yourself.
“As a young teenager, back in the 1980s, at the urging from my parents, I was fortunate to experience crewing for a large luxury charter yacht company over several seasons in the Mediterranean. I began as an inexperienced green deckhand, then bosun, then engineer, 1st mate, and in my early twenties became a USCG Licensed Master Captain to captain those same yachts throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas. Without question, my time at sea at a young age was the single most important experience in my life and an educational asset I use everyday. I am in my 60s today.
It is with great enthusiasm that I write this letter of reference for QBE Sailing. Ironically, now our son, who is 17 years old, has attended the camp for several years, and we have witnessed first-hand the remarkable impact it has had on his personal growth and development.
Each summer, he has returned more confident, independent, and self-reliant. The camp environment fosters responsibility and maturity, while also providing an extraordinary opportunity to connect with others from diverse backgrounds. He has gained a meaningful understanding of European cultures, developed lifelong friendships, and learned to navigate new experiences with poise and curiosity.
Among the vast nautical and sailing instruction, the travel experiences along the French Atlantic coast have been nothing short of incredible. The combination of adventure, exploration, and cultural immersion has enriched his outlook in ways that few programs could offer. We are especially grateful for the dedicated staff at QBE who create such a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for young people to thrive.
We wholeheartedly recommend QBE Sailing as a transformative experience that not only builds sailing skills but also shapes character, independence, and a true appreciation for global connections.””
ELS Objectives for Crew Members—Points of Emphasis:
• Learning to sail
• Learning to navigate
• Learning self-control
• Learning to listen to the inner self through moments of silence and reflection
• Learning to listen to others
• Learning to ask questions when uncertain
• Learning the importance of self-discipline
• Learning to be conscientious
• Learning to be optimistic
• Learning how to foster creativity
• Learning how to build relationships
• Learning to exhibit tenacity/grit
• Learning the importance of tidiness (On a sailboat, tidiness is an imperative)
• Learning to seize opportunities
• Learning to be adaptable and flexible
• Learning to show humility
• Learning to appreciate and respect the environment
• Learning to organize toward the future
• Building self-esteem—an essential catalyst for academic and life success
Grab your deck shoes and join us next summer. Apply now!
(No previous sailing experience necessary.)
new skills • new perspectives • New adrenaline rushes • new confidence
Instruction is in English | Transportation assistance available | Safety record: Impeccable