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Applications are now open for 2025 youth development voyages in the Navy operated tall ship STS Young Endeavour.
The program will see the brigantine circumnavigate Australia for the final time, before the introduction into service of a new, state-of-the-art vessel in the coming years.
“A voyage in Young Endeavour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young Australians aged 16-23 to build valuable leadership and teamwork skills, helping them to increase their self-confidence and apply resilience in their everyday lives,” said Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Leupen.
“Myself and the embarked Royal Australian Navy staff crew are proud to work with the youth of Australia, and we look forward to welcoming new youth crew on board and sailing to some of the most spectacular locations our country has to offer” he said.
During 2025 STS Young Endeavour will visit ports including Brisbane, Gladstone, Cairns, Thursday Island, Darwin, Broome, Exmouth, Fremantle, Albany. Before wrapping up along Adelaide, Geelong and returning to Sydney.
“This will be STS Young Endeavour’s first circumnavigation of Australia in eight years, and includes visits to some spectacular parts of the country,” said Lieutenant Commander Andrew Leupen.
“The 2025 voyage program offers an exciting opportunity for youth in regional and remote areas to join STS Young Endeavour and participate in the Youth Development Program in their home state”.
At each port Young Endeavour will embark 24 new youth crew aged 16-23, who will spend up to 13 days learning the skills required to sail a square-rigged vessel, including navigation, taking the helm, sail handling, climbing aloft and even taking command of the ship for 24 hours of the voyage.
While on board, youth crew have no access to mobile phones or social media, giving them the opportunity to disconnect from their everyday lives and immerse themselves in this new world at sea.
“We often hear from parents that youth return home with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence, as each voyage provides opportunities to meet new people, gain new perspectives and explore personal goals. The unique nature of the adventure these young Australians experience together means the friendships, skills and sense of community formed on board can last a lifetime,” Leupen said.
Since 1988, the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, in partnership with the Australian Government and the Royal Australian Navy, has provided challenging and inspiring youth development voyages for over 14,000 youth on board STS Young Endeavour.
More than thirty-five years on, STS Young Endeavour continues to attract young Australians to participate in the world-class youth development program, with alumni confirming they have gained increased confidence to take on new challenges, and will apply the lessons learned on board to their everyday lives.
