Get Back on Track with Léman Hope

There are places where people go to rest. And others where they go to rebuild their lives. This summer, 58 young people in remission from cancer, along with 22 of their siblings, will set sail with Léman Hope for three weeks of free Sailing Trips on Lake Geneva and Lake Constance. From July 4 to 8, July 11 to 15, and July 20 to 24, they will experience five days and four nights of sailing, life as a crew, and shared challenges—a special time to regain their bearings, reconnect with others, and look toward the future once again.

An experience that helps you rebuild your life

After months—sometimes years—of treatment, recovery isn’t always enough to heal the wounds caused by illness. Finding support again, reclaiming one’s place among others, and looking to the future with a little more confidence is often a crucial step.

That is precisely where Léman Hope comes in. By offering these young people a break from the hospital, the foundation turns sailing into a powerful tool for recovery.

For five days and four nights, participants sail in small crews of four young people of the same age and who speak the same language. Accompanied by a skipper and a specially trained instructor, they discover the world of sailing, learn to live together, tackle daily challenges, and make progress, day by day, at their own pace.

Beyond the sailing experience, these Sailing Trips also allow Sailing Trips to rediscover a sense of carefreeness, build bonds with other young people who have gone through similar challenges, and look toward the future once again.

The 2026 edition marks a new milestone

The 2026 edition marks an important milestone for the foundation. For the first time, Léman Hope will organize a week of Sailing Trips Lake Constance to bring the foundation closer to families in German-speaking Switzerland and make this experience accessible to more young people throughout Switzerland.

Of the 20 sailboats deployed this summer, 12 will sail on Lake Geneva and 8 on Lake Constance. A total of 80 young people aged 8 to 20 will participate in Sailing Trips.

Among young people in remission:

Siblings will also be part of the trip. Their presence is essential: often overlooked in the context of the illness, they, too, need a space to relax, share their experiences, and heal. This year, 22 spots are reserved for them, including 6 in German-speaking Switzerland and 16 in French-speaking Switzerland.

A solid foundation, both on the water and on land

Each sailboat is supervised by a professional skipper and a specially trained instructor, for a total of 20 skippers and 20 instructors on duty throughout the three weeks.

Prior to the Sailing Trips, all team members undergo specialized training that covers pediatric cancer, safety, child protection, emotional support, and the values of Léman Hope. Medical teams also provide daily monitoring during the trips to ensure the highest level of care.

A collective effort that makes these trips possible

Thanks to the dedication of its volunteers, skippers, instructors, partners, and donors, the foundation is able to continue offering these trips to families entirely free of charge, guided by a simple belief: a few days on a sailboat can have a lasting impact on the life of a young person whose well-being has been compromised by illness.