La Baleine Blanche is an association that organizes maritime expeditions for young people. The essence of these voyages is to foster new ideas and perpectives through sailing and travelling in foreign lands. These young explorers leave their family, friends, school and culture behind and embark on a nine month adventure living and working together collectively ; thus encouraging responsibility, autonomy and initiative. The voyage gives young people the opportunity to discover their planet, meet local communities, learn about relationships between people and their environment, and ultimately to give witness.

Since 1990 a pedagogical aspect has been developed through interrelated themes: the environment; exploring the lives of women and children through for example, the division of labour ; observation and study of flora and fauna, and marine life. Each year a project (book, exhibition, film) is developed around each of these themes where the goal is to present it through the medium of video, writing, painting, drawing and photography. This is achieved under the tutelage of professionals (writers, artists, naturalists etc) who join the voyage for several weeks at a time.

These projects concretize and give value to their discoveries and at the same time they act to reinforce the cohesion of the group. This nine months with La Baleine Blanche does not substitute the school year, it is rather a complement to their scholastic year. At the end of the nine months the young voyagers reassume their respective schooling.

The selection process
First, the selection is open to all. To apply, the applicant must send a letter of introduction which will also explain his/her motivations. The association will then send a dossier containing the enrolement forms and relevant information. The eligible age of the children is between 12 and 15 years, although the average age of the applicants is between 13-15 years. All candidates must be able to speak French.
There are two steps for selecting the young teenagers. The selection process takes place over two meetings : in Easter (Hoedic Island) and in August (Camurac, the foothills of the Pyrenees). The first meeting is centred around acitivities such as, sailing, walks and observation workshops on marine life. This meeting allows La Baleine Blanche to discern the motivations of each candidate and their aptitude for communal life. While the second reunion is focused on hiking, workshops in photography, writing, and video. At the end of the second meeting reports are written on each candidate and a selection is made for the future expedition.

The cost is on average 7.800€ per person. If the final cost is higher the assocaition will contribute. This contribution is financed from book sales (link), video productions and by renting exhibitions (link). The young voyager and their family is strongly encouraged to find financial support (sponsors and grants) from the public and private sector for example, from local councils, businesses etc.

Books and exhibitions
The Baleine Blanche has published several books over the years. These are written and illustrated by the young voyagers. The books reflect their journey and the discoveries they made.
The exhibitions are the result of articles, reports, illustrations and photos produced during a voyage. They give testimony to another world through the eyes of the voyagers using the themes of the voyage. Schools, libraries and cultural centres are examples of institutions who rent the exhibitions. Book sales and renting exhibitions are essential to financing the expeditions.

Some facts on La Baleine Blanche
La Baleine Blanche has made twenty-two voyages (the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, West Africa) published nine books and two magazines. Created fifteen exhibitions and co-produced five documentaries.