about the scheme

The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme is a not for profit organisation which provides young Australians with a unique, challenging and inspirational experience at sea. Our voyages increase self awareness, develop teamwork and leadership skills and create a strong sense of community responsibility amongst members of the youth crew. 

The Scheme began when the magnificent sail training ship STS Young Endeavour was given to the people of Australia by the United Kingdom as a Bicentennial gift back in 1988. Since then, the Scheme, in partnership with the Australian Government and the Royal Australian Navy, has provided challenging training voyages for over 11,000 young Australians aboard Young Endeavour.

Young Endeavour undertakes around 20 voyages each year, mostly in Australian waters. Each voyage we embark 24 young Australians - the youth crew - and nine specially trained Royal Australian Navy crew, usually for an eleven day adventure at sea. 

To sail in Young Endeavour apply for our ballot (which is like a lottery). The ballot opens twice each year, in January and August - you've got to be in it to have a chance to sail!


Our Values

 - We are committed to upholding the practice of equitable access to our activities.

 - Our programs are conducted with the highest regard for safety.

 - We support each youth participant to achieve his/her goals.

 - We operate as a financially responsible business unit.


The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme is run in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy with the head office at Garden Island, Sydney. It is supported by Commonwealth funding and private donations. If you're into facts and figures you can download the Annual Report of Proceedings (1MB).


Highlights

1990 -  Young Endeavour made her first international voyage since her delivery from England to take part in New Zealand's Sesquicentennial celebrations and the opening of the Commonwealth Games

1992 - Young Endeavour completed a circumnavigation of the world, representing Australia at Celebrations in Europe and America commemorating the 500th anniversary of Columbus' Voyage of Discovery to the New World 

1995 - Young Endeavour circumnavigated Australia and represented the nation in celebrations to mark Indonesia's 50th anniversary of Independence

1998 - Young Endeavour participated in Tall Ships 1998, marking the Bicentenary of Bass and Flinders' circumnavigation of Tasmania

2000 - Young Endeavour visited New Zealand where she arranged a rendezvous with the Bark Endeavour in Cook Straight

2001  Young Endeavour undertook the historic Centenary Circumnavigation to celebrate the Centenary of Federation

2002 - Young Endeavour participated in celebrations commemorating the Centenary of Flinders’s explorations in South Australia and Queensland

2003 - Young Endeavour celebrated her 15th Anniversary and won the Tall Ship's Race on Sydney Harbour for Australia Day

2006 - Young Endeavour took part in Auckland’s first Festival of the Sail and passed the Baton in the Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton relay in New Zealand

2007 - Young Endeavour featured in the Tall Ship's Program as part of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum of international leaders held in Sydney

2008 - Young Endeavour celebrates its 20th Anniversary with the Australian community and around 10,000 youth crew alumni members

2009 - Young Endeavour undertakes a circumnavigation of Australia, embarking more than 700 young Australians for voyages and day sails around the country