ALL aboard Operation Live Healthy! The Spirit of Bermuda is hosting a slightly different crew of students aboard their ship next week and the theme is all about healthy living.

Participating in its first voyage, the Bermuda Diabetes Association organised the project for students that are highly at risk for developing Type II Diabetes as well as students with the condition. Type II Diabetes, characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency, is a chronic condition that affects approximately between 8,000 and 9,000 Bermudians, which is an estimated 13 per cent of the population.

Thanks to the generous donations made by individuals in memory of former Hamilton Mayor William Frith, enough funds were raised to send 12 boys between the ages of 11 and 18 years for a three-day, two-night trip to experience sailing aboard a Bermuda sloop and to learn about healthy eating and lifestyle habits that someday may make the difference between a living a life with or without diabetes.

"This trip is a totally different learning experience for these young students," said Sara McKittrick, Diabetes Educator with the Bermuda Diabetes Association. "We know that young people don't necessarily learn healthy lifestyle habits in a traditional learning environment so by exposing them to an engaging, interactive and challenging experience we hope to teach our students about diabetes prevention and management through eating an appropriate diet and having an active lifestyle."

The Spirit of Bermuda's vision is to take young Bermudians out of their familiar environment and build upon their teamwork and leadership skills in new and demanding challenges. Participants not only learn life lessons of personal character and team development, but hands-on academic and trade skills.

Everyone aboard the vessel has a role to fulfill and is expected to take part in the actual sailing of the ship, however, Operation Live Healthy students will also participate in morning exercises and two educational sessions a day. The sessions will cover reading and understanding labels on food products, diabetes prevention and management as well as the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The students will also enjoy a snorkel trip and participate in team-building exercises.

"As a diabetes educator, I approached this project from a diabetes perspective and combined the hands-on learning and team development skills that are intrinsic aboard the Spirit of Bermuda with education on healthy living and nutrition," said Ms McKittrick. "It's an opportunity for increased physical activity as well as a fun yet dynamic learning environment. The ship has a wonderful galley and dining area and we have worked with the cook on board to put together educational sessions and plan nutritious meals.

"We want this experience to be a positive and fun one for the boys. Those that have signed up are really excited and have a lot of enthusiasm about the trip."

Students who participate in the project will also have the opportunity to be a part of future programmes in Bermuda involving youth with diabetes or projects reaching out to the public about prevention of diabetes.The Spirit of Bermuda departs Dockyard on Tuesday and returns on Thursday at 4 p.m. For more information about the trip, Sara McKittrick can be reached at the Bermuda Diabetes Association at 297-8427.