Step 5: Continued Maritime Participation

Service Description

The Continued Maritime Participation and Growth phase is the culmination of SeaKing Asylum’s therapeutic sailing program. This final step encourages families who have thrived during the earlier phases to continue their engagement with maritime activities. It offers opportunities for further participation, longer voyages, and sustained therapeutic benefits through ongoing involvement with sailing. Key Features of Continued Maritime Participation and Growth: 1. Longer Sailing Experiences: Families who successfully complete the Overnight Trip and demonstrate a strong connection to the therapeutic aspects of sailing are invited to participate in longer voyages. These trips may extend beyond a single overnight stay and involve more complex sailing tasks, encouraging continued personal growth and skill development for children with autism. 2. Encouragement for Independent Maritime Exploration: This phase empowers families to consider chartering boats or even pursuing boat ownership, based on their positive experiences with the program. Families may choose to integrate sailing into their lives on a regular basis, knowing that it can be a consistent source of calm, structure, and growth for their children. 3. Ongoing Skill Development: For children who respond particularly well to the earlier phases, the continued participation offers the chance to refine and advance their sailing skills, such as: • Navigating more complex routes • Handling sails in different conditions • Learning maritime safety and more advanced techniques This further builds their confidence and sense of independence, while promoting lifelong skills that go beyond the therapeutic benefits. 4. Community Building and Peer Interaction: As families progress through the program, they become part of a community of like-minded families who have shared similar experiences. Group sails, social events, and opportunities to connect with other program participants offer a supportive network where families can continue to learn from and support one another. This sense of community is essential for the social development of children with autism and for fostering lasting relationships between families. 5. Ongoing Support and Check-ins: SeaKing Asylum remains committed to providing ongoing support to families even after the structured program phases are complete. Regular check-ins and follow-up sessions help assess the continued progress of the children and ensure that they are benefiting from their