Offshore Sailing School hosts team building and leadership program for Quality Life Center

One of the great things about Offshore Sailing School’s corporate culture is the company’s willingness to give back to the communities that we live and work in.  Teambuilding and leadership programs are prominent in the sailing school’s outreach programs. A great example of this is Offshore Sailing School’s innovative sailing and leadership program called Leadership at the Helm™.  

This winter, Offshore Sailing School brought team building to a wonderful group of young adults through  The Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida, based in Ft.Myers. Quality Life Center has been providing educational tutoring and mentoring services to children since 1992. Through a holistic approach they strive to help the children and their family manage day to day challenges and help those in need gain a better quality life. They are in the trenches fighting everyday for the less fortunate, underprivileged and disadvantaged youth of North Ft Myers Florida. These programs produce positive results and are a beacon of hope in the lives in of the children and families they touch.

As a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization they constantly are coping with funding and resource issues in this tight economy.  One of the many successful programs they run is called “Believe to Achieve”  focusing on the individual as a leader and team member in building positive outcomes in their own lives and as a member of society. Enter, Offshore Sailing School. During the holiday break and through the first weeks of 2010 sixteen young women and sixteen young men along with facilitators from the Center were introduced to a ground breaking leadership program. Learning how to sail on the sailing school’s Colgate 26 sailboats with expert sailing instructors, the children were introduced to leadership theory and teambuilding concepts that will

Quality Life Center boys concentrate on learning how to sail

help them in their everyday lives as sons, daughters, students, and community members.

Facing very unusual temperatures in mid 30’s and winds 15 knots and higher these first time sailors were awesome. The enthusiasm, fun, joy and respect these young men and women brought with them was infectious. “Very smart, polite and excited to learn how to sail made this one of the best programs we have done, I really enjoyed these kids” said one seasoned Offshore Sailing School instructor about the group.

As we move forward with The Quality Life Center and prepare for the next group it is good to hear in the halls and classrooms at the center the occasional  “Jibe now,” “Let’s tack”  or ” Uh Oh, I’m in Irons now!”

I was lucky to be in on the groundwork in setting up this program and actually teach the kids. It was a truly inspiring experience and we look forward to many more opportunities to help these children develop into shining adults.

Doug Sparks, Offshore Sailing School Chief Operating Officer

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