The high rates of psychological distress, disability and/or chronic illness reported among children, adolescents and young adults, are a recent stimulus for the development and evaluation of new initiatives. Adventure therapy, realized through sailing navigation or stay in the mountains are effective strategies to raise the welfare of the beneficiaries, implementing self-esteem, autonomy and social skills. A "Nave Italia" model is described and prospects for development in a sector not yet capable to produce high quality research and training, according to traditional gold standard criteria by medical research, are discussed.