About Us

Mission

Class Afloat seeks to provide, for each of its students and faculty, unparalleled learning experiences in incomparable settings aboard a tall ship and around the globe. Class Afloat is dedicated to "bringing the classroom to the world".

Vision

In the microcosm of a sailing ship and the macrocosm of the planet, Class Afloat offers young people from around the world the opportunity to challenge a rigorous programme of academic study, to stand watch and to actively engage in sailing a classic tall ship, to learn and to adopt sensitive and sustainable practices, to acquire and to develop unparalleled interpersonal skills and to practice global citizenship. In short, we challenge our students to be the best that they can possibly be. We hone good choices, good values and good life styles. We train for and expect positive changes at home and around the world. Class Afloat is, for each student, a "passport to education".

History

In 1984 the United Nations, under the banner of "International Youth Year", invited schools and agencies worldwide to interpret the themes of "participation, development, and peace". Since that date, more than 1500 West Island College Class Afloat alumni have committed themselves to those themes. They have sailed more than 700,000 nautical miles to over 250 ports of call worldwide. Today, and now between the ages of 16 and 45, these former students are engaged citizens whose sense of the possible has been enhanced and re-defined by the Class Afloat experience.