FAQ
Those questions we, as parents, ask ourselves about our children’s safety and well‑being in such a new — and, for some, uncharted — environment.
Our trips remain close to the coast (no more than 12 nautical miles offshore), so mobile and internet coverage is available for the vast majority of the time.
To put families at ease, we always provide a direct contact number for any queries or emergencies.
That said, to encourage participants to fully immerse themselves in the experience, we recommend limiting mobile device use so they can connect with the sea, their fellow participants and the wider environment — and with their own inner selves.
Safety is our top priority. As we always sail close to the coast, we can respond quickly to any incident:
Immediate first aid: Federico is trained and experienced in first aid for remote environments (mountain, wilderness and marine), enabling him to provide competent care at once.
Evacuation protocol: If required, we activate a return to the nearest port in direct coordination with the harbour Master’s Office and emergency services.
Medical cover: We hold specific accident insurance for outdoor youth activities that covers medical emergencies.
The adult in charge on board, responsible for both the vessel’s safety and the young people’s well being, is Federico. His background combines nautical expertise with a strong commitment to learning and exploration:
Sailing experience: He began sailing at 14, over 35 years ago, and holds the official qualifications to command vessels up to 24 metres (80 ft).
Educational background: More than 25 years’ experience in Waldorf education and active learning methodologies, with a focus on respectful youth development.
Safety and emergencies: Experienced in accident management in remote environments (Wilderness First Responder).
Group leadership: Since the age of 17 he has taken part in camps, trips and expeditions — first as crew, then as counsellor and coordinator.
Human Perspective: He is a father and has been supporting his own children through their development for the past 18 years.
The support team
Federico isn’t alone. We have a second-in-command on board: a young ‘counsellor’ who has already sailed with us on previous trips. At 18, he brings the proximity of his generation and a solid track record of over 1,000 nautical miles.
Our sailing trips takes place aboard a classic 42-foot (12.72-metre) sailing yacht, designed for ocean cruising and built by the prestigious English shipyard Moody.
Its ketch rig — two masts, main and mizzen — gives the yacht exceptional stability and safety, making life on board very comfortable. It offers double cabins, two bathrooms, a fully equipped galley and a spacious, light filled saloon.
More than just a vessel, it is a cosy little home at sea, meticulously maintained to ensure maximum safety in all weather and on every voyage.
The yacht is designed to accommodate 10 people. We have double cabins fitted with bunk beds. Cabin allocation is decided by mutual agreement and organised among the entire crew.
What's included?We provide fitted sheets and pillows.
What should they bring?Each crew member must bring their own sleeping bag.
Special arrangements: if travel or luggage restrictions make it difficult to bring a sleeping bag, tell us and we will find a solution.
We sail with caution. Before each leg we analyse weather reports and compare forecasts for wind, swell and rain.
If conditions aren’t favourable, we wait in port.
This is not a setback but an opportunity: we use the time for alternative activities, local exploration or practical tasks related to life on board that sailing’s rhythm sometimes precludes. The group’s safety and well being always take precedence over the itinerary.
It’s hard to pin down a single dynamic — every journey is a living experience: a continual blend of action, discovery and tranquillity.
We do not follow a set curriculum; we believe in a context where information is a tool for action and learning happens through doing. Whether plotting a course, reading weather reports, hoisting sails or securing a rope, the young people naturally apply algebra, geometry, physics and statistics in practical ways.
To ensure this, groups are limited to six members, so each young person has the space and time to find their place.
What will we do during the trip?
The programme draws on life at sea itself:
Navigation and technical skills: Route planning, interpreting wind conditions, reading nautical charts, manoeuvres (steering, anchoring and mooring), and seamanship!
Community spirit and responsibility: Team cooking, tidying, boat maintenance and coordination meetings.
Explore and enjoyment: Excursions ashore, amazing island and beach visits, stand-up-paddleboarding and snorkelling.
For overnight stays we strike a balance between comfort and adventure: roughly half our nights are spent in port, the rest at anchor in stunning locations.
Meals are planned to meet the crew’s needs, with a constant focus on nutrition, health enjoyment and quality. We avoid processed foods; there are no soft drinks or alcohol on board. Water is the main drink, with lemonade and occasional isotonic mixes in hot weather.
Our proposal for the daily menu::
- Breakfast: porridge or oats, nuts and fresh fruit; bread with butter and honey; teas and plant based milks.
- Lunch and dinner: balanced meals combining protein, vegetables and carbohydrates.
- Afternoon tea and snacks: fruit available throughout the day, plus biscuits or light snacks mid afternoon.
Galley routine: Once the menu is set, the crew organises cooking shifts from day one — a shared responsibility in which everyone takes part.
Dietary needs: Tell us about any restrictions, intolerances or allergies and we will accommodate them.
At Terra we safeguard our crew’s privacy — respecting it helps foster a safe environment.
Many families ask why we don’t publish photographs showing crew members’ faces.
The answer is simple: for a teenager to truly connect with the experience — and with themselves — they must be free from the pressure of ‘likes’, the gaze of social media and the camera that reminds them they are being watched.
We aim to be present: to live the experience, not to post it.
Your daughter or son will return with stories to tell, not merely photos to show.
We know it’s a big leap
(and we're here to take it with you)
If you love the idea but are held back by a touch of vertigo, let’s have a chat.
We know it’s hard to take the plunge and entrust your child to a boat with people you have yet to meet.
Book a video call so we can get to know one another, put a face to the crew, and answer any questions you may have — from family to family.