Adventure Awaits: High School Students Invited to Set Sail
This summer, high school students can trade screens for sails and discover what they’re truly capable of. We are now accepting applications for the 2025 Sea Challenge, a weeklong sailing adventure aboard a traditional sail training schooner. The program will run from Saturday, July 19 to Saturday, July 26, 2025, and spots are filling quickly.
Throughout the week, students live and work as crew aboard a tall ship, taking on responsibilities like sail handling, standing watch, learning navigation, and assisting with meal prep. It’s a full-immersion experience designed to build confidence, independence, and teamwork, while forging lifelong memories and friendships.
“This program offers students an incredible opportunity to step out of their comfort zones, work as a team, and take on new challenges,” said John Considine, Sea Challenge Co-Chair. “By the end of the week, they aren’t just better sailors; they’re stronger, more resilient individuals.”
The cost of the Sea Challenge is $2,000, which includes all meals, accommodations, and instruction. However, through a new partnership with The KEY Collective and their #areuin? program, Sail Portsmouth is offering an extraordinary opportunity: any high school student with an #areuin? card can participate for just $100.
“We’re thrilled to partner with The KEY Collective to make this adventure accessible to more teens,” said Considine. “No student should miss out on this experience because of financial barriers.”
Kristyn LaFleur, Founder & Executive Director of The KEY Collective, echoed that sentiment: “We believe in connecting kids with life-changing opportunities, and the Sea Challenge does just that. This program gives students the chance to grow in ways that are hard to replicate on land—through teamwork, leadership, and the sheer adventure of the open water.”
To learn more or apply, visit www.sailportsmouth.org/sea-challenge. Scholarships are also available for students who may not qualify for the #areuin? program but need financial assistance.
Quick Details:
- 2025 Sea Challenge
- Open to Seacoast area high school students
- Saturday, July 19 – Saturday, July 26
- $2,000, with financial assistance available
- Apply at: www.sailportsmouth.org/sea-challenge
