Our mission: to inspire
Magic happens when we are in community, immersed in the natural world and engaged in meaningful work.
This programme stems from the need for an active meeting place where self-directed, adventurous young people—those eager to connect with others—can come together, spend time, get things done and plan for the future.
Recognising the power of self‑directed learning rooted in real‑world wilderness experience, we have, since 2008, dedicated ourselves to creating environments where hands‑on, learning‑by‑doing helps people grow from within while connecting with nature.
As well as running the programme, we are also parents to four children whom we have raised in the wild (feral), and we continue to support them in their learning and development processes.
federico de gonzalez-soler
Co-Director
A lover of nature and the great outdoors, he focuses on unlearning as a way of fostering (young) people’s development. A tireless facilitator always ready to find an alternative to the alternative, he draws his inspiration from small details.
He began exploring cruising over 35 years ago, and it has since become one of the pillars of his life: it helped him clarify ideas, devise new ways of thinking and acting, and provides the foundation for his approach to learning. It has also enabled him to sail in South America, the Caribbean and Central America, the Mediterranean and the European Atlantic.
For many years he travelled and explored different regions, cultivating diverse ways of doing things, until raising his children led him to settle in the heart of the forest.
Tireless, tenacious apprentice with a background in communication, finance and technology, design, architecture and construction, ecology, permaculture and education; when he’s not in the water, he can be found in the forests of northern Spain.
Mariana wagmaister
Co-Director
She is the fulcrum that brings the necessary pause. Mother to four, she weaves what she has learned from guiding her children's development into practical, efficient management. Her mission is to be the safe harbour that turns logistics into a smooth, harmonious process.
A lover of the profound presence the sea offers, she understands sailing as a means of broadening horizons and is well placed to support the deep transformation teenagers on board undergo.
A designer, visual artist and permaculturist, she divides her time between the serenity of the forest and the vastness of the sea. Her artistic vision and connection with the natural world underpin her philosophy: to transform the everyday into something sacred — an experience of harmony and beauty.
Our Values
Those ideas and principles that guide us and are reflected in our actions and the way we live our lives.
Living simply helps us find ourselves and bridge the gap between us and others — and between ourselves and the natural world.
We favour creativity that does not depend on technology, creating spaces that offer a soothing sense of calm.
We cultivate peace — not always easy, much like tending a vegetable garden: first within ourselves, then in the world around us.
The work is never ending; we keep improving as we go.
Remember that we are not separate from the earth, the water or the life around us.
We strive to put our beliefs into practice through our actions, beginning with our thoughts.
We honour the traditions that guide us while recognising they should not constrain us.
Inclusion fosters a true sense of belonging.
A bridge to the ‘Big World’
Today’s teenagers face ever-increasing pressure to excel at school, prepare for university and make an impact on social media — all while coping with the usual strains of adolescence: the need to belong, to feel their lives have meaning, or to engage with the world around them. They are urged to embrace their “individuality” when what we should really be nurturing is their “uniqueness.”
We offer a distinctive programme that provides practical tools and skills, real life experiences and the opportunity to embark on a lifelong journey to find their own definition of ‘success’.
Immersion in the wild settings that define our activities — sailing expeditions, cycling trips and mountain treks — delivers both variety and focus. It provides an ideal break from the daily grind: an active retreat to recharge in a social, natural environment designed to inspire, energise and nourish.
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.