I've spent 3 summers in the program, as well as about to complete my third Winter Program. Brigs has taught me community and teamwork more than any other activity that I have been a part of. Living and working in a relatively small space with so many people means that communication and cooperation are very important. You get close to your peers quite quickly, while bonding over a new and unique experience of sailing a tall ship through the Great Lakes. It's an experience that is hard to describe to people who have never done it.
The point of a sail training program is that everyone is learning together. Even the crew is still learning about sailing, navigation, safety, and leading a watch. Being able to see and respect that everyone is in their own stage of learning and skill development makes the environment on board more comfortable and enjoyable. Over time in Brigs, I've developed my communication, teamwork, confidence, and leadership. Before Brigs, I had never sailed before, so everything I know has come from the crew members before me who taught me by helping me experience and do the things I needed and wanted to learn. Having a whole support group of friends, with different knowledge levels and areas of expertise, is an awesome experience. Doing work on board is very different from what some might think. It is so much fun to scrub the deck, set sails, clean dishes, and wipe bunks, while singing along to music, while hanging out with your friends, and being active.
(5) Program quality and activities
Overall, I love everything about Brigs. Personally, being able to sail and move far distances using only the wind, being able to teach others how to do sailing-related things, and doing maintenance to make the ship beautiful and keep her functioning efficiently are what I love the most about Brigs. Sailing in general was new to me when I joined Brigs, but now I feel confident in my ability to run the ship. Some activities that challenge me are changing my teaching styles to fit the learning methods of different trainees, and leading a watch when there are some more difficult trainees. Navigation also challenges me sometimes, even though it is really fun and I keep coming back to it, because there is nothing like trying to figure out where you are when you are in the middle of a lake with no land in sight. A tradition that I look forward to is the sunset ceremony. Every night that we are underway, we have a little ceremony that includes sound-offs, songs, and safety procedures that are very fun to partake in. I also look forward to the ship's concert at the end of every course.
(5) Social dynamics and experience
I find it really easy to make friends on the boat, even if it doesn't come that naturally other times. Being so close and having to work together in a small environment emphasizes communication, respect, and kindness. Every time I'm at Brigs, I have a memorable moment, but the best bonding moment I can remember was when I was a trainee and all of the trainees on my course worked together to figure out how to rig and set the fisherman sail. This was really fun because we had to use the knowledge of the boat that we had gained over the past couple of days to rig and set the fish.
(5) Staff/Instructors/Counsellors
On my trainee course, I found that all of the crew were very nice. They were understanding of my difficulties remembering all of the sailing information that was new to me, and really helped me to figure it out. After the 12 days that I was on board I felt confident with a lot of my knowledge. Two of the crew members that made me feel really comfortable and who were really amazing were my Watch Officer Bolden, and Captain Chesterman. They were so kind and respectful towards everyone, and really lifted the mood when people didn't want to clean, or were tired, or seasick. They really elevated my experience. The Watch Officers, Petty Officers and Mate and Captain are very good at teaching new things about sailing and about the operation of the vessel. I feel like I learn very well at Brigs
(5) Advice and tips
Some advice that I would give to a first-time participant is simply to keep an open mind. Sailing on a tall ship is something that you will not understand until you do it yourself, and something that is unlike any summer camp that you have been to before. The experiences are unreal. I feel like Brigs is amazing because it lets teenagers find out what they are capable of. It lets them be reliant on their own skills and competencies in a way that has been lost in school and normal life. It gives youth a responsibility, and forces them to rely on others and work together in a way that you rarely have to do when you are not on board. That feeling of relying on other people, people that you trust despite only knowing them for a few days or weeks, is something that I think a lot of people are missing in their day-to-day life. It's what makes Brigs the experience of a lifetime.
An insider trick would be to bring snacks. The food on board is often pretty good, and provides enough sustenance, but the snacks boost morale and sometimes can give you a good change of pace.
Brigs Youth Sail Training is such a unique program that has allowed me to meet my closest friends that I wouldn't have met otherwise. The program atmosphere is welcoming and positive, feeling like fam...
