HURRICANE ISLAND OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL RESUMES SPRING SAILING PROGRAMS

PROGRAM’S BOATS

Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS), an organization that focuses on experiential learning through outdoor expeditions, recently returned to its Florida base camp in Big Pine Key to run its winter and spring sailing programs.

From November to March, HIOBS offers six- to nine-day sailing programs in the Keys for adults and veterans as well as gap year and semester courses that encompass expeditions like whitewater rafting, canyoneering, kayaking and surfing. On the sailing courses, a 30-foot open sailboat becomes both home and classroom for participants. Students build connections with their crew and are taught skills such as beginning, intermediate and advanced chart and compass navigation, small boat seamanship, weather observation and anchoring.

Part of the Florida Keys community since 1978, HIOBS is one of 10 independent Outward Bound schools in the U.S. and serves people of all ages and backgrounds through active learning expeditions that inspire character development, self-discovery and service. The programs use unfamiliar settings as a way for participants across the country to experience adventure and challenge in a way that helps them realize they can do more than they thought possible.

During the summer and fall seasons, the nonprofit operates from its two base camps in Maine — providing sailing, sea kayaking and rock climbing expeditions on the Maine coast as well as backpacking, climbing and canoeing programs out of its mountain base in Newry, Maine. Expeditions range in length from one week to semester-long courses and serve middle and high school students, college students and adults. The organization also provides customized programming for educators, business professionals and veterans.

“Our hope is to increase community awareness of our sailing programs and vessels in the Florida Keys and help alleviate any potential concerns from residents or local law enforcement when they see our boats and students on the water,” said HIOBS marketing manager Kim Ratner. “The images here provide visual representation of our boats in the backcountry as well as what the sleeping setup looks like.

“While we have a good working relationship with the Coast Guard and they are aware of our presence, we have recently had some recurring issues with our boats getting mistaken for refugee boats and community members notifying local law enforcement.”

More information is at hiobs. org

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