14-DAY YOUTH IMPACT EXPEDITION NORWAY

Sail to remote places and involve cleaning up trash, conducting research, staying active, and playing games!

On the Moondance, we offer more space for projects with a positive impact on people and nature. After 3 years with our new ship Moondance, it seems we’re finally reaching the point where we can cover our annual costs. This coming August, we’re organizing 2 separate 14-day expeditions where 8 participants per week can sign up.

The projects will be organized in collaboration with participants from youth and student organizations accros Europe and will take place aboard the sailing ship Moondance. Just like the air, the sea is always in motion. There’s a constant current everywhere across all the seas in our world. One of these currents is the North Atlantic Drift, which leads to encountering crates from Portuguese fishermen in the fjords of Norway. The amount of waste and plastic along the coast of Norway is a major issue. The goal is to collect as much waste as possible with the participants. Additionally, we will analyze the collected waste with the participants and conduct accessible tests on the quality of seawater, such as water quality around fish farms. This way, you truly embark on an expedition, make a positive impact, and learn a lot!

summary

14-day youth expeditions

8 participants

Bodø

Departures

2024

5 augustus, 19 augustus en 26 augustus

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LOCATION

The summer season on the Lofoten Islands starts in June and ends in September. During this period, temperatures range from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. In August, the sun barely sets, providing ample opportunities for an efficient expedition.

The departure and arrival point for this journey is the port of Bodø. Bodø is easily accessible by flying from Oslo. We have chosen 14-day expeditions to avoid weekly flights. Participants and guides will travel as a group to and from their homeplace.

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Bodø

Lofoten

Steigen

Programma

DAY 1-3: START

Upon arrival at Bodø, you and your group mates are greeted by the crew who takes you to the harbor where the sailing ship Moondance awaits. Each of you selects a bed, stows your belongings in the designated lockers, and then it’s time for dinner, prepared by the skipper. Enjoy the meal because later this week, you’ll be responsible for your own cooking. After dinner, the skipper gives a safety presentation on board. Then it’s time to get some rest. Day two starts with a hearty breakfast, followed by the first half of the day dedicated to final preparations, such as filling water, tidying up, and shopping. That day, you set sail, heading to the first destination. From now on, you’ll adjust to a new rhythm for the next two weeks, filled with sailing, eating, sleeping, and cleaning up plastic every day.

DAY 2-12: EXPEDITION

Everyone is included in the breakfast and dinner schedule, including you, but you’ll share these meals with your buddy. Lunch is brought along by everyone. You’ll be dropped off at the beach with the dinghy. You’re given a biodegradable trash bag and you set off. Throughout the day, there’s also time for hiking, enjoying the surroundings, and playing games. Sometimes, you manage to bring all the plastic back on board by the end of the day. Other times, it’s not possible, so you create large piles of waste for another boat to pick up later. One buddy pair (two people) returns to the boat earlier, somewhere after lunch, to prepare dinner for the whole group. After washing up, feeling satisfied, it’s time for bed.

DAY 13-14: END

You’ve already visited the waste processing depot three times in the past two weeks, but one more trip is necessary now. The journey is nearly over, and we need to return to Bodø. In the evening, back in Bodø, the skipper reveals how much plastic you’ve collectively removed and stacked up at the depot over the past two weeks. The skipper keeps track of this. Then it’s time to pack your bags. There’s still a party to celebrate the success, and then tomorrow, feeling fulfilled, you’ll head home with a wealth of experiences and stories. It’s time to think about how you’ll share this story with as many people as possible. Whether through a presentation, an aftermovie, or a quiz, it doesn’t matter, as long as you tell it because your fellow humans need to become aware of this issue too. Otherwise, we’ll always have to live with the consequences of this problem rather than addressing it at its source.

YOUR STAY

Moondance, a 56ft Koopmans, draws its design inspiration from Dick Koopmans’ sailing ship “De Jager,” winner of the “Round of Britain 2006” and “Cold Handed Cup 2007.” This makes Moondance a truly exceptional vessel, purpose-built for expeditions and the unforgiving Arctic. With its lofty central lounge, comfy accommodations for nine, an array of heaters, a well-appointed bathroom inc. shower, and generous storage, Moondance combines adventure and comfort in one package, promising unforgettable journeys on the high seas.

things to know

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Professional Approach

Six years ago, we ourselves spent a month cleaning up trash with children from a sailing school aboard another ship. From this experience, we conducted research on waste, with the goal of turning it into skis. The documentary was shown, among other places, at Tuschinski Amsterdam. With this experience and collaboration, we can guarantee safety in the most remote locations and ensure the operation is optimal.

Contribution & Expectations
We offer our boat at cost price, with a portion financed by subsidies and the remainder covered by participants. Participation fee is €800, which includes:

Sail expedition aboard the Moondance ship plus facilities
– Captain and crew member
– 14-day program and additional activities
– 3 meals per day including snacks
* Travel (to/from) Bodo is at participants’ expense.

We encourage (especially younger) participants to start a crowdfunding campaign to raise the amount. In case the crowdfunding is not successful, we ask parents to guarantee the remaining amount.

Planning

All trips start and end in Bodo, and with the dates below, both the outbound and return journeys can be planned.

Each trip is preceded by two information evenings. During the first evening, topics such as participant introductions, guidance and skipper introductions, crowdfunding, and planning the outbound and return journeys are discussed. The second evening focuses on final preparations for departure, covering items such as packing, insurance, meeting points, and financial arrangements, which are checked and adjusted as necessary.

Expedition 1: Onboard from Monday afternoon, August 5th, until Sunday morning, August 18th.

Information Evening 1: June 10th at 6:00 PM via Google Meets
Information Evening 2: July 15th at 6:00 PM via Google Meets

Expedition 2: Onboard from Monday afternoon, August 19th, until Sunday morning, September 1st.

Information Evening 1: June 10th at 7:00 PM via Google Meets
Information Evening 2: July 15th at 7:00 PM via Google Meets

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Group Allocation

For each trip, there will be 9 or 10 people on board, consisting of 1 captain, 1 crew member, at least 1 supervisor, and 6 heroes and heroines. Heroes and heroines are between 12 and 20 years old, and supervisors are between 20 and 30.

Skippers, crew and guidance
Supervisors have an integral part in the volunteer group, but you also have specific responsibilities. In addition to the qualities of a hero or heroine, you are expected to be caring and patient, have experience in guiding groups, be proactive and take initiative, be physically fit, and able to cope with little sleep for two weeks. You must be able to prepare dinner for 9 people, be familiar with outboard motors and dinghies, and have experience with sailing and cabin boats.

The skippers participating in this project have an impressive profile. They have sailed at least 5000 nautical miles in coastal waters and have made Atlantic crossings. They hold certifications such as RYA Yachtmaster, marcom-B, STCW, and sea survival first aid (RYA). They have at least one month of experience with our sailing ship Moondance, have proven themselves in icy conditions, are skilled in dealing with various personalities, have a strong sense of responsibility, and are well acquainted with the extremes that Norway has to offer.

How to Sign Up

Sign up via the registration button (or this link) spread across this page. Upon receipt, we will contact you as soon as possible. You can register until May 31st, and in the first week of June, you will hear if you have been selected to participate. In the meantime, feel free to contact us with any questions via email or phone.

o

Absolutely the craziest adventure I’ve been on in 2022. Luuk and Olivier are amazing hosts (also great ups for the hard working crew on board like Erin!!) and make sure you’re comfortable on the Moondance.

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