Family Connection Voyage

Set sail July 9-18, 2026 on a new type of SALTS adventure!

We invite you to join us for an unforgettable journey—where families grow together, discover new strengths, and create memories that last a lifetime. Parents and their teenagers (age 13-18) are welcome to join us on a 10-day tall ship voyage from Victoria to Desolation Sound and back aboard Pacific Swift. You’ll connect more deeply with one another and nature, overcome challenges together, grow communication skills, and reimagine what’s possible for your family relationships moving forward. For over fifty years, SALTS has provided transformational sail training programs for teens and young adults. This unique voyage offers an incredible experience to entire families so you can grow together!

Is this Program a Fit for Your Family?

This adventure warmly welcomes single-parent, dual-parent, or blended families with one or more teens (aged 13–18) who regularly live together, including individual parents and their teens in shared custody arrangements (see FAQ for details). We can accommodate 4–6 families total, depending on family size. This opportunity is ideal for families keen to explore their communication styles and strengthen their relationships. It would not be suitable for families currently in crisis or needing intensive therapeutic support. All participants must meet some basic mental and physical fitness requirements to ensure safety. No prior sailing experience is necessary. 

Life on Board

All family members will have an active role in operating the ship under the guidance of SALTS’ professional crew. This voyage offers fun activities, hands-on learning, deep family bonding, and unforgettable adventures in nature—creating memories that last a lifetime.

Families will participate in every aspect of life aboard a tall ship, including raising and lowering sails, navigation, steering the ship, washing dishes, swabbing the deck, and anchor watch at night. There will also be plenty of free time to relax, explore, and enjoy each other’s company.

Tasty meals and snacks will be freshly prepared on board by the ship's cook. Learn about knots, chartwork, rules of the road, points of sail, and more. Row the ship's dories to local marine parks, beaches, and historical sites. Connect in the evening with ship-wide "mug-up", a time of singing, entertainment and classic tales of the sea followed by a warm drink and freshly baked treat.

The ship has two main living areas below the deck, each with ~15 bunks, a table for dining, and a small single occupancy bathroom (head) with sink and toilet. Family members will be assigned bunks near each other but will also be in shared space with other families. There are no showers on board, but there will be opportunities to swim and bathe in the ocean and freshwater lakes (so bring biodegradable soap/shampoo). 

 

Where Will We Sail?

Boarding and disembarking in Victoria, the ship will sail to Desolation Sound and back with plenty of stops to explore marine parks and beautiful coastal areas. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from the dock in Victoria.

Who is Leading the Program?

• Sail training and ship operations will be led by SALTS Captain David Eggert and the Pacific Swift crew.
• Drew and Raedene Hayes (with their kids) will join the voyage to facilitate family discussions and activities. Drew is a life and wellness coach and an experiential learning facilitator. Raedene is a youth and family counsellor. Both reside in BC’s Okanagan region and are former SALTS crew-members who whole-heartedly share our vision to invest in the lives of everyone who comes aboard.

What are the Program Aims?

Every aspect of this trip—from sail-training and group activities, to family discussions, solo times and life aboard in general—is meant to challenge and inspire families to grow in their relationships. You will have opportunity to:

• Reflect on personal and family values
• Learn about common pitfalls that keep parent/teen relationships from thriving
• Consider relationship goals related to communication, adventure, and responsibility, and create specific goals for meaningful growth in the next season of life together.

As with all SALTS programs, we aim to create a safe and inclusive environment where you can be yourselves and grow personally, spiritually, and relationally through sail training in a supportive Christian-based community (read more about our mission and how these values show up in our programs).

What is the Cost?

Total Fees : $2,916.90 per person
All meals, sail training materials, applicable park fees, and taxes (5% GST) are included.

 

TRIP FEE - $2,766.90 per personRefundable until May 1, 2026*
The trip fee is typically paid in 3 equal payments. A payment schedule is provided with your trip assignment.
First payment          $922.30  Due within 7 days of receiving the trip assignment notification.
Second payment    $922.30  Due by March 1st
Final payment         $922.30  Due May 1st
* See our Cancellation and Refund Policy for details

 
We recognize that the cost may be prohibitive for low or even middle-income families. See our Bursaries page for information about eligibility and the application processes for general financial assistance and Indigenous Youth bursaries.  Bursaries for the Family Connection Voyage are available for teens only, not parents.

 

How Do We Join?

Submit your application to tell us more about your family. As part of our commitment to a positive and supportive experience, selected families will participate in friendly online interviews to ensure the program is a good fit for everyone involved. Our facilitators will work with you to clarify the program’s aims and ensure that each family feels welcomed and supported. Participation decisions will be made at the discretion of the program leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can we bring our kids who are younger/older than 13-18?
A: This voyage is specifically and solely for parents/guardians and their teens age 13-18. Our other summer voyages are for youth age 13-23.

Q: Our family does not all live together. Can we still participate?
A: This program is for families who regularly live together, to help those families learn to live together better, strengthen relationships, and improve communication. If parents/guardians do not live together, one parent may still participate, along with their teens who regularly live with them (even if custody is shared). Blended families (who live together) and single parent families are welcome. We appreciate that there are many wonderful families whose circumstances may be different. For this specific program, the charitable goals, facilitation resources, and group activities/discussions mean we must focus on families who share certain commonalities.

Q: We’re a two parent/guardian family. Is it OK if just one parent attends with our teens?
A: For dual-parent families, we ask that both parents attend together, as our group activities and program goals are designed to support shared family growth and communication. If your circumstances simply won't allow all family members to attend, please let us know that in your application.

Q: How can I ask other questions?
A: If your family’s situation isn’t addressed here, or if you have questions about eligibility, accessibility, or other topics, please email info@salts.ca. We’re committed to helping as many families as possible experience the transformative power of sail training.

Be sure to check out our summer FAQ section for answers to more general questions about our programs!

 

 

submit your application!

  
More Information

 

 

Photos are of previous SALTS program activities that have also taken place on SALTS tall ships

 

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