SCHOOL TRIPS

Challenge & Adventure on Thames Sailing Barge ‘S.B. Reminder’

Topsail Youth Residential School Field Trip Package

Our School Trips offer the thrill and excitement of sailing, living and working on a traditional sailing barge, a truly unique outdoor educational activity. A trip on a Thames Sailing Barge can be an all encompassing residential experience that will challenge young people to deliver their best.

We are offering Schools and Educational Establishments an accessible, challenging and rewarding opportunity for groups of young people to come away on a sailing field trip with their leaders to work and sail a historic sailing vessel.

Through our team's commitment, we can help them make a great personal journey as well as have the cruise of a lifetime.

“We that consider the residential experience, know that we can achieve months of work with a young person in a five day school trip. So first and foremost a well planned resourced and delivered residential can be very good value for money. My team’s experience can verify that a few days away on a Sailing Barge Reminder can offer the committed worker great opportunities to help young people move on”Jim Titmarsh, Youth Worker, U Project Essex

Schools Trips UK - Sailing Residential

Our Aims:

Voyage of discovery

We provide a well-structured challenging environment for young people to explore and discover the secret waters of the East Coast in a unique setting working alongside our professional crew on a historic vessel participating in all aspects of running a ship.
Leaders work alongside their group to experience together the challenge and adventure of working a Thames Sailing Barge.

Develop key life skills through vocational training

Self-development boosting self-esteem and self-confidence
Personal responsibility
Gain a sense of achievement
Mature in relationships

Platform for learning

A full learning program available to suit your School & Educational needs with aspects of the National Curriculum incorporated into the sailing voyage
Do you know your local history? Discover the history of the East Coast in a innovative and stimulating way
Study the marine geography and bio diversity of our rivers and estuaries
Teachers packs and easy to follow work sheets available
Helping to deliver the Every Child Matters: Change for Children Agenda
Support for ASDAN Awards, D of E and Youth Achievement Schemes
We can tailor our school program to meet your groups educational needs supporting and incorporating other subjects where required

Team building

In addition to working together to sail the barge we can incorporate specific team challenges onboard and ashore to further develop good group-working skills emphasising communication, inclusion, and listening and following instructions.

Have fun!

Playing games on the sea wall, spotting seals, crabbing off the decks, watching the sunset or swimming from the beach – there is something to suit everyone.

Sailing field trip experience/activities

The young people, working with their leaders, participate in every activity involved in running a Thames Sailing Barge from hoisting sails to scrubbing decks, to navigating the river, to cooking meals. In addition there will be time planned ashore for activities and excursions. No previous sailing experience is necessary. There are a variety of activities available to meet all needs although unfortunately we are unable to cater for wheel-chair users or those with severe mobility restrictions due to the layout of this historic vessel.

Safety

Safety is our number one concern. Our professional crew are fully qualified and experienced at taking school groups to sea. We are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and carry life saving and safety equipment beyond their requirements. We have copies available to you of our MCA certificate, Safety Management Code, risk assessments, insurance certificates and crew qualifications.

Accommodation

Our maximum capacity for school field trip groups is 12 including a minimum of two group leaders. The accommodation is split into two double berths for leaders, two twins and two 3-bed bunk cabins for the group. There is a comfortable saloon area for dining and other activities with a fully-equipped galley for your use.

Catering

We feel that part of the experience of working a sailing vessel is to be fully involved in all chores and this includes preparing and cooking meals. To this end our trips are self-catered but we can offer assistance in menu planning and provide shopping lists. For an additional cost we can order food for you so it is on the barge on your arrival. If you would like the charter to be fully catered a cook and food can be provided for you.

Trip Planning

Reminder operates from the historic Hythe Quay in Maldon, Essex. We can offer school trips from 2 days to 5 days. Although the specific route is always dependent on weather conditions we welcome your input if there are specific areas of interest you would like to sail to. The study program has been designed to be flexible to work around the needs of each group. We are happy to discuss your trip at any stage of the booking to ensure that all your needs are met.