The Helmsman Project is a not-for-profit organisation that runs an adventure-based coaching program designed to build life effectiveness skills in year 9 students from schools located in communities affected by disadvantage. At the core of our one-year program is a 13-week personal and team coaching process that integrates two intense adventure education blocks to complement the students’ learning
process. Sailing and land-based activities are used as the adventure education medium. Following the first 12 weeks, participants are supported to develop and implement a community project, learning work readiness skills such as project management, presentation skills, teamwork and time management, in addition to pursuing the development of the ‘soft’ skills learnt during the initial 12 weeks. Participants learn to develop a broadened perspective of the opportunities available to them in the future, a sense of hope, self-regulatory skills and increased resilience – all attributes that will help them navigate through life’s challenges and achieve their full potential! The Helmsman Project program is delivered in parallel with a research program overseen by the University of Sydney. The aim of the research (i.e. controlled trial) is to assess the extent to which the target outcomes of The Helmsman Project program are achieved.
