Echo 68-Day
Mate-in-Training Program
Echo 68-Day
Overview
- College-age adventurer
- Current WFA and CPR certifications
- Sail Caribbean Alumni encouraged to apply
- Strong interest in working at Sail Caribbean and in the field of outdoor and adventure education
- Experience working with 11-17 year olds
- Sailing interest with some experience
- Interest in marine science and environmental conservation
Program Schedule
10 Days of Staff Training
6 Weeks of Teen Programming
Room and board is included for the entire program. MITs have the opportunity to earn back money spent on tuition over time. Please submit a resume, cover letter and 3 professional references by email to info@sailcaribbean.com with the subject line: Last name, First name – MIT
Adventure Focus
Advanced Sailing
Scuba
Marine Biology
Ages
College
Days
68
Boat
Catamaran
Echo Sailing Mate-in-Training Program
Our Mate-in-Training (MIT) course is for college-age adventurers who are interested in working in the field of outdoor and experiential education, especially with our teen summer sailing and diving camp. You will have the opportunity to work with students aged 11-18 in a unique nautical environment.
Your summer starts with our Echo College Sailing & Leadership course to study and practice advanced seamanship and earn American Sailing Association 101, 103, and 104 certifications. Next, you will complete our 10-day staff training with the rest of our staff members. Together we focus on the ins and outs of creating and delivering adventure programs.
On program as part of our sail staff, you will fulfill the roles and responsibilities of a mate onboard one of our student boats. You, another mate and your captain work together as a team to establish a community among yourselves and your crew. Along with providing a solid understanding of sailing maneuvers and a basic familiarity with their boat, our sailing curriculum is meant to motivate crew to take initiative and full command. The goal is to have everyone engaged and excited about sailing and life on board.
Students rotate through various positions such as Captain, Navigator, Mate, etc., as you facilitate teamwork and support of one another. You will also be collaborating with your fellow staff to assure programs run smoothly and safely. Daily responsibilities will include assisting with meal preparation, teaching basic sailing lessons, leading a snorkel, or assisting with program logistical efforts like provisioning, boat fueling or escorting students to and from the airport.
MITs have an excellent opportunity to return the following summer to take on additional responsibilities. Sail Caribbean takes great pride in having MITs with us well beyond their first year.
Echo 68-Day Activities
Kayaking
Ready for a little exploring with a friend? With all the beautiful anchorages and coves we visit there’s much to explore by paddle power.
Snorkeling
Meet the creatures below the waves. Swim alongside a friendly sea turtle, join a school of Blue Tang fish, and explore the reefs!
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Get your footing and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to maneuver with perfect balance. You’ll have terrific views above, as well as below the waves.
Tubing
Our Number 1 watersports toy is nicknamed “Papa”. You’ll be hanging on so tight you won't even be able to give a thumbs-up.
Wakeboarding
Once you’re up it’s a thrill every single second, especially if you get airborne. No wonder this is a Sail Caribbean one-handed favorite!
Waterskiing
Get up, get steady! Then you’ll be zipping back and forth across the wake for a ride you’ll remember.
Small Boat Sailing
You’ll learn so much on your big yacht. Try applying your seamanship skills to smaller boats and feel how swiftly they respond.
Windsurfing
After you’ve learned to read the wind, you’re sure to take full advantage of it on your rig. Time to hook in and hold on!
Social Events
Dance with Moko-Jumbie stilt walkers at our Fireball Party, win the famous Chili Cookoff, and compete for glory at the SC Olympics.
Beach Sports
Team up for a spirited game of volleyball or a fast-paced soccer tournament, then cool off rehearsing a synchronized swim.
Hiking
The islands we visit are mountainous. Reaching the best vantage points provides challenges, but the pay offs are breathtaking vistas!
Community Service
Whether your interest is in cultural heritage, marine biology, or environmental conservation, you’ll have opportunities to roll up your sleeves and pitch in!
Marine Biology Seminars
Topics include: respect and awareness of marine organisms, coral biology, geologic formation, sharks, invasive species, sea turtles, and the night ocean.
Island Exploration
Hike through a rainforest, travel mountainous hillside roads, learn about the art of glassblowing, visit an organic farm, and discover different cultures.
Yacht Racing
It’s the ultimate team sport! Whether you're on the helm, trimming the jib, or on the rail helping to balance the boat, everyone’s efforts count.
Sailing
If you've never set foot aboard a 50' sloop, it's OK with us – No Experience Necessary! You’ll learn by doing and we’ll be by your side all the way. If you’re already a sailor, build on your knowledge!
Scuba
If you choose scuba, it doesn't matter if you're a seasoned diver or if you're taking your very first scuba lesson. You're in for the ultimate dive experience.
Advanced Sailing
There are opportunities to build on your sailing and seamanship skills through American Sailing Association courses which include practice time on our 26' Colgate training boat, Opal Bella.
Advanced Scuba
Work your way up from Advanced Open Water to Rescue Diver with Specialty certifications along the way. If you're 18, you can even 'Go Pro' and become a PADI Divemaster.
Kayaking
Ready for a little exploring with a friend? With all the beautiful anchorages and coves we visit there’s much to explore by paddle power.
Snorkeling
Meet the creatures below the waves. Swim alongside a friendly sea turtle, join a school of Blue Tang fish, and explore the reefs!
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Get your footing and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to maneuver with perfect balance. You’ll have terrific views above, as well as below the waves.
Tubing
Our Number 1 watersports toy is nicknamed “Papa”. You’ll be hanging on so tight you won't even be able to give a thumbs-up.
Wakeboarding
Once you’re up it’s a thrill every single second, especially if you get airborne. No wonder this is a Sail Caribbean one-handed favorite!
Waterskiing
Get up, get steady! Then you’ll be zipping back and forth across the wake for a ride you’ll remember.
Small Boat Sailing
You’ll learn so much on your big yacht. Try applying your seamanship skills to smaller boats and feel how swiftly they respond.
Windsurfing
After you’ve learned to read the wind, you’re sure to take full advantage of it on your rig. Time to hook in and hold on!
Social Events
Dance with Moko-Jumbie stilt walkers at our Fireball Party, win the famous Chili Cookoff, and compete for glory at the SC Olympics.
Beach Sports
Team up for a spirited game of volleyball or a fast-paced soccer tournament, then cool off rehearsing a synchronized swim.
Hiking
The islands we visit are mountainous. Reaching the best vantage points provides challenges, but the pay offs are breathtaking vistas!
Community Service
Whether your interest is in cultural heritage, marine biology, or environmental conservation, you’ll have opportunities to roll up your sleeves and pitch in!
Marine Biology Seminars
Topics include: respect and awareness of marine organisms, coral biology, geologic formation, sharks, invasive species, sea turtles, and the night ocean.
Island Exploration
Hike through a rainforest, travel mountainous hillside roads, learn about the art of glassblowing, visit an organic farm, and discover different cultures.
Yacht Racing
It’s the ultimate team sport! Whether you're on the helm, trimming the jib, or on the rail helping to balance the boat, everyone’s efforts count.
Sailing
If you've never set foot aboard a 50' sloop, it's OK with us – No Experience Necessary! You’ll learn by doing and we’ll be by your side all the way. If you’re already a sailor, build on your knowledge!
Scuba
If you choose scuba, it doesn't matter if you're a seasoned diver or if you're taking your very first scuba lesson. You're in for the ultimate dive experience.
Advanced Sailing
There are opportunities to build on your sailing and seamanship skills through American Sailing Association courses which include practice time on our 26' Colgate training boat, Opal Bella.
Advanced Scuba
Work your way up from Advanced Open Water to Rescue Diver with Specialty certifications along the way. If you're 18, you can even 'Go Pro' and become a PADI Divemaster.
ON EVERY SAIL CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE
Sail Caribbean offers ten different adventure groups with 30 different sessions in the British Virgin and Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. You live aboard a modern 50′ monohull yacht or 45′ catamaran with other teens in your age group and learn to sail. No experience is necessary. Every adventure focuses on an activity, but each offers scuba, marine biology, community service, cultural exchange, watersports, friendships, personal growth and lifelong memories.
Want to compare adventures? Download our 2023 Schedule (PDF)!
Echo 68-Day
Itinerary
Day 1
At Hodges Creek Marina, you’ll have a chance to get acquainted with our beautiful home base! Meet your Captain, mate, and everyone on your program. You’ll get fitted for snorkel gear and have your first boat meeting over delicious chicken, rice and slaw. You and the rest of the crew get ready to set the course for the rest of your adventures to come.
Days 2-4
You’ll learn everything you need to know prior to your first sail across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Norman Island. Snorkel the caves and “The Indians”. Plot a course to Cooper Island where you’ll begin comprehensive sailing and basic keelboat instruction. You’ve got points-of-sail and tacking under your belt already!
Days 5-7
By the end of the first week, your 50’ sloop will feel like home. You and your crew will debrief the day at boat meeting each night and give each other feedback on how the group worked together as a team and how those in leadership roles stepped up. Pick up a mooring ball at Bitter End Yacht Club and enjoy a day at the 5-star resort.
Days 8-10
Your crew falls into a natural rhythm as you set out for tiny Marina Cay. Go for a Hike to the Mangroves and Bubbly Pools at Jost Van Dyke. Once home to pirates, its lush seagrass bed now serve as a hangout for Caribbean green sea turtles that you’re sure to encounter when you go for a snorkel.
Days 11-13
As your adventure nears its end, it’ll be time to prepare for your ASA exams. Head to Monkey Point and find that you and your crewmates are in total control of your vessel. We’ll stop back at Cooper on the way to our base at Hodges Creek for your final Basic Keelboat lessons aboard Opal Bella.
Day 14-68
After the 14-day Echo Adventure, you will participate in 12 days of staff training, then begin your internship on one of our many teen student adventures.
Echo 54-Day
Sessions
Echo Mate-In-Training
Begin Date
05/31/2023
End Date
08/07/2023
2023 Tuition
$5295
Service Hours
10-15
# of Dives
2-10
Optional
Courses
Sailing
ASA 101: Basic Keelboat Certification
Prerequisites: None
If you’re arriving at Sail Caribbean with prior sailing experience and are very keen on making the commitment to learn more, why not take this opportunity to gain a nationally recognized certification? You’ll participate in seminars and practice your helmsmanship on our big boats, and then demonstrate your sailing and seamanship skills during two to three intensive days on our own Colgate 26’, Opal Bella. The goal of this certification is for the participants to be able to single-hand (maneuver alone) these keelboats. Written and practical exams fulfill the requirements and you’ll have an official certification that’s valid for years to come and a stepping-stone to many other sailing certifications. View more details about ASA certifications here.
ASA 103: Basic Coastal Cruising
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA101) certification
Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (outboard or inboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet length by day in moderate winds and sea conditions. Knowledge of cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather forecast interpretation, safety and seamanship. View more details about ASA certifications here.
ASA 104: Bareboat Cruising
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA101) and Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA103) certifications
Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered keelboat (or catamaran, if course is conducted on such) of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Course is conducted as a live-aboard cruise of at least 48 hours. Knowledge of provisioning, galley operations, boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, routine maintenance procedures, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation including basic chart plotting and GPS operation, multiple-anchor mooring, docking, health & safety, emergency operations, weather interpretation, and dinghy/tender operation. View more details about ASA certifications here.
Scuba
PADI Discover SCUBA Diving
Discover a whole new world beneath the waves!
You will experience the thrill of scuba diving under the close supervision of a qualified PADI Instructor in ideal conditions. Under the palm trees on the beach, we’ll begin with an orientation and skills session – you’ll be introduced to the basic concepts of scuba diving. Next you’ll learn about equipment, basic skills and safety procedures. Afterwards, you’ll practice those important scuba skills in three to five feet of calm, clear water right off the beach. You’ll continue with your first dive experience off that same beach in 20-30 feet of calm water. Once you’re comfortable with the basic skills, one of our custom dive boats will take you to enjoy your first open water dive. It will be no deeper than 30ft, and you’ll be able to explore one of our amazing reefs with your instructor.
The DSD course is available on all of our programs except Charlie. Students will spend 2-3 sessions with our PADI instructors. In the future, if you decide to become certified, these skills and the open water dives may be credited towards your PADI Open Water Diver course.
PADI Recreational Diving
Prerequisite: Must be Open Water certified or equivalent
Non-certification recreational diving is available as an option on all of our adventures. Ever imagine diving on a coral garden, drifting through a rainbow canyon, or exploring a sunken wreck? You will enjoy recreational diving in the BVI with our own Sail Caribbean Divers Instructors and Divemasters. On Delta in the Leeward Islands, professional dive instructors from each island along with our dive staff take you to gorgeous dive sites. You’ll gain expert knowledge from each local instructor and get the most out of every dive site you visit. You must provide proof of certification from a recognized agency like PADI, NAUI, YMCA, or NASDS.
Echo 68-Day
Adventure Blog
Echo 2018 Adventures Day 13: Putting Our True Sailing Skills To The Test
FULL STORY
Echo 2018 Adventures Day 11: ASA Lesson On Man-Over-Board Procedural Drill
FULL STORY
Echo 2018 Adventures Day 4: Applying Our Sailing Lessons To Our Broad Reach Voyage For The Day
FULL STORYEcho 54-Day
FAQs
How much sailing experience is needed?
No experience is necessary, but you should be comfortable in and on the water, have a spirit of adventure, the ability to take on responsibility, and a desire to be challenged. Everyone is involved with lots of sailing instruction.
What sailing certifications can I earn?
During the Echo 14-day adventure, you have the option to earn sailing certifications as part of our core curriculum. American Sailing Association’s (ASA) 101 Basic Keelboat Course and ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising are included in the tuition and are part of the curriculum. ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification is an option if you decide to challenge yourself even further.
Who will my crewmates be during Echo?
On Echo, most students come from all parts of the US and are first or second year college students.The boats have 8-10 students and are co-ed. Each day offers leadership, sailing, and meals with your crew and then activities, electives, and socializing with the entire group.
Can I scuba dive?
For non-certified scuba divers you’ll have the option to try scuba diving through PADI’s DSD (Discover Scuba Diving) course and experience the beautiful life in the underwater world. If you are already a certified diver, you’ll have the option of diving for fun by signing up for Recreational Diving.
Where will I live during the internship portion of my stay?
You will travel with one of the teen program fleets and live aboard either the staff boat or a student boat depending on your level of experience.
Does the internship provide a stipend?
Yes, call for details.
Echo 68-Day
Reviews
“Too often we get comfortable with pushing aside our fears, but we are never the happier for it. It’s important early on in life to find it within yourself to make it a point of making your fears your friends and not your enemies, realizing that overcoming your fears will only make you a stronger and better person. To be surrounded by wild glorious nature, just waiting to swallow your heart, and to have your friends and teachers right alongside you, ready to pick you up — that is Sail Caribbean. This is my experience at Sail Caribbean and I hope to make this the experience of every camper that I may encounter.”
Andrew D., age 20, Eugene, OR
“My personal goals were to improve my sailing abilities and get adjusted to spending the entire summer here. I definitely became a competent sailor.”
Grace M., age 19, Cantonsville, MD