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Chief
Seattle Council, BSA
National
Sea Scouts
Boy
Scouts of America
United
States Coast Guard
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Resources
Advancement
Ships
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How To Start A Ship
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Information
For Starting A New Ship (
jump to FAQ)
What
is Sea Scouting?
Sea Scouting
was started in 1912 and has a long and colorful tradition.
Sea Scouting is the oldest maritime youth training program
in the United States. Thousands of young men and women have
had the opportunity to follow the traditions of the sea
while learning about themselves. A program element within
the Venturing Division of the Boy Scouts of America, Sea
Scouting is developed for young men and women who are 14
through 20 years of age. Units, commonly called Ships, maintain
a membership from five to 35 youth. Most units maintain
15 to 18 members annually involving a minimum of two to
four adult advisors, and a support committee. Sea Scouting
follows a challenging skills development program to earn
the Eagle and Quartermaster Awards. Nationally, over 500
units are chartered.
Sea Scouting's purpose is to provide positive experiences
to help young people mature and prepare them to become responsible
and caring adults through the lore of the sea. The result
is a dynamic program of exciting and meaningful activities
that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop
leadership skills, and become good citizens.
Goals
and Methods
Young adults
involved in Sea Scouting will:
- Acquire seamanship
skills in an ethical environment that instills values,
citizenship, and community service;
- Experience
a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure;
- Experience
positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and can
be given opportunities to take leadership roles; and
- Have a chance
to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment
The methods to
meet the needs of young people have been refined over the
last 90 years.
Group
Activities
Sea Scout activities
are interdependent group experiences in which success is
dependent on the cooperation of all. "Learning Through
Doing" in a group setting provides opportunities for
developing new skills. Sea Scouting's emphasis is on constructive
activities, meaningful experiences, and life-long memories
through experiencing cruising/sailing activities.
Leadership
All Sea Scouts
are given opportunities to learn and apply proven leadership
skills. Youth officers lead a Sea Scout Ship, and training
is designed in an active way to effectively lead.
Adult
Association
The youth officers
lead the group, and work closely with adult leaders in a
cooperative partnership.
Recognition/Skills
Development
Recognition
comes through the Sea Scout advancement program and through
the acknowledgement of a youth's competence and ability.
Ideals
Sea Scouting
follows the principles of the Scout movement: citizenship,
character development, and physical fitness.
Unit
Activities
Only the imagination
and involvement of the adult and youth leaders and members
of the unit limit what a Sea Scout unit does. Locally, most
units divide their annual program into three sections including
sailing/cruising, skills development, and a summer highlight
cruise. During the winter months, skill development using
the Sea Scout manual, which includes sailing and boating
information plus advancement and leadership offices, those
members can achieve. In the spring, units get together in
the Northwest and have timed events in areas of seamanship
training. During the summer, units participate in racing
with other class boats, which sharpen the crew's teamwork
and encourage them to thoroughly know their boats. Annually,
the most exciting event is a seven to 14 day cruise to the
San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands. Units meet at least
twice monthly year round and during the summer time weekly
on the boats.
What
Youth Want
Research has
revealed these major points:
- High school
students have many vocational and hobby interests that
will lead to adult professions and interests
- Teenagers
want a broader experience that provides practical "hands-on"
experiences that sailing and boating does provide.
- Teenagers
want to belong to a group that provides a "safe haven"
from which to address the youth development issues that
affect them.
Program
Support
Sea Scouting
has designed literature, audiovisuals, training, activities,
and awards to support your unit.
Literature
In particular,
the Sea Scout manual has been developed for all youth
and adult members to assist with organization, program,
leadership, and activities.
Training
Basic and advanced
Sea Scout leader training sessions along with monthly
adult meetings, and an annual program conference is available
to improve and enrich Sea Scout unit programs. A weekend
management skills course for Sea Scout leaders called
SEABADGE is available bi-annually.
Recognition
Awards
A variety
of awards are available to youth members who accomplish
specific advancement achievements. These awards include
both Eagle Scout and Quartermaster Awards. Other awards
that are designed to provide recognition for youth and
adults include the Venturing Leadership Award and Venturing
Advisor Award of Merit.
Uniforms
The Boy Scouts
of America offers a traditional naval uniform for both
youth and adult members. Insignia can be secured locally
or through a national Sea Scout web based supplier, The
Ship's Store (shipstores.org).
However, each unit may determine what, if any, specific
uniform they will wear on their activities.
BSA Councils
Sea Scout
units are supported by local BSA councils, which provide
staff and volunteer support, operate service centers and
a Sea Scout dock, and conduct training and activities.
Liability
Insurance
The Boy Scouts
of America has liability insurance that covers leaders
and organizations to which Sea Scout units are chartered.
Accident and medical coverage are not included but are
available through local BSA councils at a modest cost.
For additional
information and support on organizing a new Sea Scout unit,
contact your local Boy Scouts of America, Doug Mitchske
at dmitschke@lfl.org
or www.seattleseascouts.org
or the national Sea Scout web site at www.seascout.org
or the Venturing Division, at the national office, Boy Scouts
of America.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Cruising/Sailing
Opportunities, Programs and Facilities Available:
- The Puget Sound
basin has over 25 Sea Scout Ships serving over 500 youth.
- In the Seattle/King
County area boats ranging from dinghies to a 65-foot power
vessel. Council boats are located in Seattle, West Seattle,
and Bellevue.
- All the boats
sail/cruise year round combining overnight and day trips.
- During the summer
and major school holidays, the boats will cruise and sail
to the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands. Summertime trips
are usually 7 to 14 days during the July and August months.
- Boats can conveniently
support groups of 6-14 and up to 25 youth for day, overnight,
and weeklong experiences.
- Basic nautical
skills training are available to all participants including
sailing, rowing, swimming, and navigation. Advance skills
development includes both group leadership and technical
competencies.
- The program
is year round including regattas, sailing competitions,
long cruises, leadership conferences, and social events.
Sea Scouting provides an excellent opportunity for fellowship
and leadership development.
Who
pays for the Sea Scouting Unit?
Sea Scout units
are self-supporting. Units can have an active program for
less than a thousand dollars and other units will cost more
because of the size of their vessel and related costs. A
BSA national membership of $10.00 is required. Membership
provides both program opportunities and liability insurance
protection for both youth and adult members. Most units
have a membership fee and an annual fund raising activity.
Historically,
the unit committee supports the adult leadership in securing
funds, donations, and equipment for the unit. In the early
years, most sponsors directly support the unit by securing
safety equipment (PFD's, flares, etc.) involved with the
program.
Nationally, Scouting
maintains a liability insurance policy for all its members.
Locally, Scouting provides a number of services: adult leadership
training is free, boat registration, and boat insurance
for vessels under 26 feet. Units with vessels over 26 feet
can secure additional insurance for a nominal fee.
How
are boats secured?
Most units have
some access to boats in support of their unit's program.
Either the Council or a sponsoring charter partner owns
large boats (over 25 feet). The chartering partner secure
smaller boats, sailing dinghies, and rowboats for their
program use. In the past, surplus military vessels have
been made available for Sea Scout usage, but this avenue
is now almost nil.
What
Program Resources Does My Unit Available?
Besides completing
their trail to Eagle Award, Sea Scouting has a recognition
advancement program based on nautical skills leading to
the Quartermaster Award. Youth can serve as Ship elected
officers, as well as, Council Boatswain and Area youth offices.
The Council plans
a number of area wide activities during the year including
regattas, rendezvous, and a bridge of honor and dance. Also,
Sea Scouts participate in National leadership activities
and jamborees.
Where
can I find Adult and Unit Support?
Monthly roundtables
are available to provide fellowship, training, and program
development opportunities for Sea Scout adult leaders. Ship
support is provided through district commissioner service
teams and committees.
How
Are Youth Members Recruited?
Sea Scouting
is a teenager based adventure program. Membership ages are
14 to 20 years of age. Initially youth members are initially
enrolled through the sponsoring charter partner. Where the
chartering sponsor has do direct connection with a youth
population, they partner with local high schools, community
organizations and/or religious institutions. Historically,
friends are recruited and join their friends in short order.
A Scout Office District Executive can help in the identification
and organization of the new unit kick off meetings. Scheduled
membership activities are encouraged.
How
Are Adult Leaders Recruited and Trained?
The adult leadership
both adult advisors and committee members is the responsibility
of the charter sponsor. Adult advisors should be able to
work with teenage youth. Sailing and technical experience
are needed, but organizational skills are just as important.
Adult leaders are provided basic leadership training through
regularly scheduled volunteer development classes. All BSA
training events are free or nominal fee for snacks. Handbooks,
videos, and other training opportunities are available for
both individual and small group learning.
What
Is Sea Scouting's Relationship with Sail Sand Point?
Sea Scouting
and Sail Sand Point are both youth based sail training programs.
For the last two years, the groups have joint ventured in
the planning and execution of the Nor'wester Area Sea Scout
sailing competition. Both groups have identified common
interests and are working toward a common joint use facility
and spring sail-training program similar to Sea Scouting
partnership with the US Power Squadron of promoting water
safety training.
What
is Sea Scouting's Relationship with the U.S. Power Squadron?
Nationally, Sea
Scouting and the U.S. Power Squadron have identified mutual
interests in both the promotion of safe boating skills and
working with youth. In 2001, to achieve mutual goals, a
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was initiated to promote such
goals.
For
further information, contact:
- Sea Scout Manual:
Designed for all adult/youth leaders and youth members of
Sea Scouting ships. The manual is an excellent resource
for planning and developing Venturing activities. No. 33239B.
- District Executive
or Doug Mitschke: Sea Scout Professional Advisor through
the Scout Service Center: (206) 725-5200: dmitschke@lfl.org
- Chief Seattle
Council Sea Scout Web Site: www.seattleseascouts.org
- Visit the National
Sea Scout website: www.seascout.org
- Pick up a Sea
Scout pamphlet or manual.
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