ActionQuest: Vega

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Choice Camps Recommendation of ActionQuest: Vega

For more than 30 years, ActionQuest has offered water-based adventure training programs for teens around the world. The AQ experience is centered on small, co-ed, age appropriate groups of 8 to 20 teenagers. This encourages close friendships to form while fostering unique, hands-on experiences. Programs are non-competitive, adventure-based, and most are run full-time aboard sailing vessels.

From introductory to advanced sailing and SCUBA, water sports, land excursions, cultural immersion, tropical marine biology and community service – ActionQuest delivers fast-paced action for every experience level and adventurer. All ActionQuest programs and certification courses are performance-based as instructors work one-on-one with travelers to help them master a variety of skills. For teenagers looking for a high action, life-changing adventure that promotes personal growth, teamwork, and leadership, ActionQuest may be the perfect experience.

Trip Description

The Vega Voyage in the British Virgin Islands is ActionQuest’s biggest and broadest program, not just in the number of students who join, but also in the range of activities offered and certifications earned. It is the perfect program for all teens with limited or no previous experience in sailing and scuba diving that are looking for an exciting introduction to these and other waters ports such as water skiing, windsurfing, and wakeboarding. Off the water, students visit the islands, explore the towns, cook out on the white sand beaches and hike to the top of the tallest mountain.

During the Vega voyage, teens earn a number of different certifications, such as the IYT International Crew Certificate. Beyond the certifications, however, teen travelers gain experience in water skiing, wakeboarding and windsurfing.

Staff Overview

With an average age of 27, ActionQuest staff members are young, dynamic teachers who live aboard with travelers 24/7. Most of the core operational staff work full-time as educators with Sea|mester, ActionQuest’s college-level marine science program. Others are traditional teachers and specialists during the year. More than 75% of AQ staff members return each summer and 56% were once shipmates themselves.

Every ActionQuest team member possesses the essential abilities for their particular area of expertise, yet most are multi-talented, combining the many skills necessary to operate a mobile live-aboard training program. Team members include U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains, IYT/RYA Yachtmasters, PADI scuba instructors, marine scientists, Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics and other water sport instructors. All staff members are trained first aid responders. During pre-summer, staff members complete an intensive training program encompassing safety procedures, risk management, equipment maintenance and operation, itinerary planning as well as instruction in teambuilding and communication facilitation.

Setting & Accommodations

From the moment teen travelers arrive, they move aboard a yacht and live on board full-time. The Vega Voyages are run exclusively aboard traditional single-hulled yachts (monohulls). There are three makes of yachts that used, the Beneteau 50, the Jenneau Sun Odyssey 52.2 and the Gibsea 51. Each of these vessels are in the 50-foot ranges, have 5 cabins, a large salon which converts to a 6th cabin, and four full bathrooms (heads). The world's largest charter company, Sunsail, maintains all of the yachts to the highest standard.

Safety Standards

Safety is ActionQuest's first priority. Their activities are adventurous and to say that there are no ricks would be misleading. However, awareness of potential risks is the key to effective control and management. Risk management and safety training is a core part of operating our programs and is intergrated in a number of specific ways. On program, they sail with certified Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics and tow Rescue boats in our fleet for rapid and dependable transportation. All of their staff are first aid and CPR trained during our pre-summer orientation and most come with previous safety training from their field of specialty - yachting and scuba instruction or in the field of education.

ActionQuest: Vega Session Dates

Session Name	Dates	Ages	Tuition
Trip One	6/15/10-7/5/10	13-18	$4,970
Trip Two	7/7/10-7/27/10	13-18	$4,970
Trip Three	7/29/10-8/14/10	13-18	$4,470

Trip Overview

Program Overview

Theme: Sailing and SCUBA
This Trip has Multiple Themes:
- Sailing and SCUBA
- Hiking and Backpacking
Trip Gender: Co-ed
Group Size : 150
Camper-to-Counselor Ratio: 4:1
Religious Affiliation: None