Sending your kid on the Spirit of Adventure - Steve Braunias

Trainees on the Spirit of Adventure ship.

Steve Braunias is an award-winning New Zealand journalist, author, columnist and editor.

OPINION

Minka is at sea. Ten days on the Spirit of Adventure boat, sailing somewhere between or around Auckland and Whangārei, one of 40 teenagers who boarded as complete strangers and who will disembark in some sort of state of hysteria or love or whatever other good or bad psychological disturbance that surely comes with this strange New Zealand social experiment. “An empowering and life-changing opportunity, a voyage that will empower you to become whoever you want to be.” God almighty.

Minka is at sea. They handed in their cellphones when they boarded the ship at Princess Wharf on Wednesday. They do not get them back till the voyage is done and they are empowered to become whoever they want to be, and their parents will hopefully still be able to recognise them. “This programme is the best way to up your courage, unlock your potential, learn leadership, courage, resilience and make lifelong friends.” One notes the word “courage” is used twice. No word from her in 10 days; I need courage, too.

Minka is at sea. Generations of parents have used the Spirit of Adventure as a threat. “Shape up,” they’ve said through narrowed eyes, “or we’re signing you up to that boat. That will wipe the smile off your face!”, etc. I was threatened with it in my useless teenage years. It was a terrifying thought. Ten days stuck with 40 strangers – hulking brutes, mean bitches, top dogs, evil weasels, creeps of all sizes … It was boot camp, it was punishment, it was the stern corrective philosophy of the military. Strange how New Zealand always reaches for military solutions. “A voyage on Spirit is a positive and pivotal experience in the lives of the young people who get the chance.” I have always hated positive and pivotal experiences.

Minka is at sea. It was all her idea, her passion. How did we raise this kind of child? She has always gone on her own way, always rejected the rock ’n’ roll options her parents have chosen as a way of life. She is Michael J Fox in Family Ties, she is the bright morning star to our darkness of smoke-filled rooms at 3am. “Our youth development programme offers many highly engaged days in an environment uninterrupted by technology and the distractions of home and school life.” God, I miss her.

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Minka is at sea. The last time she went away without our being able to reach her was at school camp, in year six; she was 10 years old and we didn’t see her or hear from her again until she was 10 years old and three days older. They spent three nights somewhere or other on the Whangaparāoa peninsula. Parents were instructed that no contact was to be made with their precious cargo. It felt so weird, so strange, like a test, like a social experiment … “Maximum speed: 13 knots (power), 15 knots (sail).” I lie in my bed at night, stare into the dark, and worry.

Minka is at sea. Apparently they get up at 6am and jump off the ship for a swim. I gather they have to climb the mast. The boat stops in at places, for tramps or other kinds of physical challenges. “We have an impeccable safety record having operated for over 50 years at sea in what is an ever-changing ocean environment.” This makes me worry even more. Parenting is the leading cause of anxiety.

Minka is at sea. She returns next Saturday. I am taking the bus to meet her in Whangārei, and travel back home with her. “The focus of learning is on teamwork, developing skills of communication, self-leadership, self-reliance, self-discipline, self-esteem, resilience, confidence and leadership.” How awful, but I bet she’s loving every second of it. I bet she’s having fun. I can’t wait to see her again, and will only have to worry about the rest of her life.