Plan & Enroll
May 18, 2020
Dear Sail Caribbean families and friends,
I am writing today to announce that we have made the difficult decision to cancel all of our programs this summer. We know this is a great disappointment for our families, our staff, and most of all, our campers. We wish more than anything we could share with you another unforgettable summer of adventure, challenge, togetherness, and wonderful memories.
Though this decision has not been easy, it has become clear that we have no other option at this time. There are too many unresolved logistics (airline reliability, BVI Government border restrictions), and more importantly, unpredictable risks to the health of our campers and staff while living aboard boats and in a foreign country. Until more is known and resolved about this virus and the protocols for its prevention, we cannot move ahead.
The heart of the Sail Caribbean experience is living together on boats, sharing challenges and responsibilities. We work hard both individually and as a team, learn and practice leadership and skills, develop wonderful friendships, and become a family in many ways. Most importantly we share in the fun and excitement of being in the amazing BVI environment. The unfortunate reality is that we cannot deliver these most essential experiences under the current circumstances.
I am so grateful to our team of staff who have worked tirelessly these past weeks to navigate the challenges and uncertainty and to try and make this summer happen. Jackie, Callie, and Dani from our New York office have been the voice of hope and understanding for our families, and our Sail Staff Director, Jen, has kept up our summer preparation so that we could be ready to launch if able. I would also like to send a huge thanks to our summer staff who have patiently hung in there with us, eager to deliver another unforgettable summer experience to our students. Lastly, we are so appreciative of our families who have been tremendously understanding throughout these difficult times. Please know that your kind and thoughtful words of support have meant so much to us. Thank you.
We want you all to know how determined we are to be ready for Summer 2021. Sail Caribbean will now look at the future with clear goals and purpose and begin preparations for next year. We will be steady, deliberate, and focused so that we can bounce back even stronger than we were before. We are lucky to have a company full of great people who will be able to make this happen. We will stay connected with our summer staff, continue to monitor the global response to COVID-19, determine the necessary adjustments to our programs moving forward, and be more than ready to welcome each other into the BVI in 2021.
At the start of each of our programs, we greet all our crew with a few words of welcome. There are rules to go over of course, but more so, we encourage everyone to appreciate how lucky we are to be in a place so rich in natural beauty, cultural history, and opportunities to grow. We also talk about the high expectations we all share for the challenges and adventures ahead, and our commitment to working together to achieve our goals.
We won’t be together in the Caribbean this summer, but I hope you will carry on in this spirit. All of us at Sail Caribbean wish you the very best.
Sincerely,
Mike and the Sail Caribbean Team
We’re accepting 2020 applications! Remember, as long as there are openings on the programs you can enroll. It’s rare, but we have had students sign up just a day or two before an adventure starts! Please call us to verify program availability.
We want your whole family to feel comfortable, organized and well-informed prior to, during, and after your Sail Caribbean adventure. You’ll find your online account to be a simple but valuable tool you can use for communicating with us, handling your paperwork, and finding resources to answer your questions.
Remember — Jackie, our Head of Admissions & Family Relations, likes speaking with everyone, so don’t hesitate to call us either.
2020 Adventure Schedule Enroll Now
Ask about our easy payment plans – you don’t have to select a session just yet, and your deposit is fully refundable until 03/01/2020 less a $350 application fee.