A youth organisation helped to empower almost 700 young people last year – bringing the total it has engaged through its programmes to more than 4,400.

Endeavour Bermuda released its Impact Report yesterday which showed that 695 young people had benefited from its programmes between September 1, 2019 and August 31 last year.

Jennifer Pitcher, the manager of community engagement, development and partnerships at Endeavour, said: “We are thrilled to share Endeavour’s 2019-2020 Impact Report, which highlights the positive outcomes for Bermuda’s youth that are a result of their engagement in Endeavour’s programmes.

“Our successes would not be possible without the amazing dedication of Endeavour's staff, board and volunteers, educational partners, teachers, donors and supporters.”

Endeavour’s programmes use a hands-on approach to science, technology, engineering, arts and maths, or STEAM, to help youngsters develop an appreciation for the maritime world.

The Endeavour Middle School Programme, which teaches pupils in their first year of middle school about maritime technology, kept themselves afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic last year by moving to virtual lessons.

Altogether 281 pupils from six schools kept up with in-person learning, while 140 were involved in virtual classes.

Additionally, 33 teachers also assisted with the programme by offering 997 hours of in-person support and 40 hours of virtual support, according to the report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The Endeavour Graduate Programme, which is offered to exceptional graduates of the middle school programme, also saw 132 pupils from 11 different schools get involved.

Girls made up 53 per cent of participants while 47 per cent were boys.

Bermudian youngsters made up 89 per cent of participants and 87 per cent of youngsters involved in the programme noted a boost in their confidence, according to the Impact Report.

Children who completed the programme had the opportunity to participate in the Endeavour Assistant Instructor Programme, which gave young people a chance to expand their maritime knowledge and skill.

Twenty pupils from seven different high schools received their Assistant Instructor certificates after completing a five-day training course.

The participants have since volunteered more than 800 hours, the report said, and about 94 per cent of participants reported a growth in their leadership and coaching skills.

Endeavour also offered its Maritime Springboard Programme, in partnership with the Bermuda College Division of Professional and Career Education, to prepare youngsters aged 16 and older for a career in the maritime industry.

They hired two graduates of the springboard programme last year and this year during the pandemic to help with the delivery of its school programmes.

The BF&M No Limits Sailing Programme with Endeavour offered the experiential learning as a form of therapy to pupils aged 5 to 18 with autism and other developmental challenges.

The report said parents of every pupil involved said that their children’s communication skills had improved since their enrolment in the programme.

Endeavour also offered an eight-week after school programme to introduce the fundamentals of sailing to P5 and P6 pupils from 13 primary schools.

13 primary schools to show P5 and P6 pupils the fundamentals of sailing.

About 91 per cent of children said they had an growth in confidence, while 85 per cent said they had a deeper interest sailing and more knowledge of water safety because of the programme, according to the report.