General Questions

A:  For over 100 years Sea Scouting has promoted better citizenship and improved members’ boating skills through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills, outdoor, social, service experiences, and knowledge of our maritime heritage.  Sea Scout units (called “ships”) are established all across the country on oceans, bays, rivers, and lakes. They provide limitless opportunities and exciting challenges that you won’t find anywhere else. Sea Scouts is a place to grow and learn, find adventure, and build long lasting friendships.

A: Of course not. Not only is the surrounding area rich with lakes and reservoirs, we have navigable rivers such as the Kansas and Missouri ready for adventure. We also have access to year-round SCUBA training, communication, marksmanship, and water safety programs.

A:  What makes Sea Scouts so enjoyable and exciting is getting out on the water. Sea Scout ships use a variety of boats from small outboard motorboats to large sailing yachts and vessels. In our ship youth will learn piloting and the rules of the water, navigation and how to read the weather. Out youth become fascinated by maritime history and traditions, learn knots and fancy rope work, master boat maintenance, engine service, and marine electronics skills. No matter what our ship does we discover thrills that you just can’t get anywhere else.

Adventure

A:  Sea Scout Ships are run by the youth and advised by the adults, so it is technically up to the youth. Some of the adventures we have proposed include weekend adventures like sailing on the local lakes or a powerboat cruise on the Missouri River. Longer events include the Paddle Missouri program to take a group ca-noe trip from Kansas City to St. Louis.  We also have grander adventures in mind, such as a trip from Kaw Point to Baton Rouge or a week of fishing on the Great Lakes. There is also the opportunity to attend the National Sea Scout Base in Galveston, Texas, the National Sea Base in Florida, or even put together a trip to the Bahamas.  Or perhaps you may cruise the San Juan Islands or SCUBA dive in the Florida Keys. You may compete in the Koch International Sea Scout Cup alongside Scouts from around the world, or cruise aboard “America’s Tall Ship” the USCG Barque Eagle. In Sea Scouts, you build your own adventure!

A:  There are plenty of winter activities for ships! Aside from safety training and land-based education of maritime skills, we also have leadership training and planning our summer cruise programs. We also have access to indoor pools for water activities like swimming, snorkeling, and SCUBA training.  If that’s not enough, Sea Scouts participate in the Sea Scout Marksmanship program, conservation projects, faith-based awards, and social events.  

For Eagle Scouts

A:  For many youth, earning the rank of Eagle becomes the end of their Scouting Trail. While there are often good intentions, most troops are geared toward serving a younger crowd.  Sea Scouting is built for you—the experienced Eagle Scout who wants more—high adventure, practical skills, college and career preparation, and leadership above and beyond. Your time in Sea Scouting is an adventure preparing for the future.

A:  Sea Scouting builds character through high adventure. As a Sea Scout, you will learn to sail, to row, and to keep a boat in shape. We cruise local waters or go sailing on long cruises far from home. Sea Scouts can learn to dive and will be active in camping, social events, tours, regattas, excursions, and seamanship contests.

A:  Sea Scouting is open to all youth age 14 (or 13 and have completed the 8th grade) up to age 20 as a youth member. Adults age 21 and over may join as an adult member—and many do.

A:  Ranks in Sea Scouting are Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and Quartermaster. Youth who have achieved the rank of First Class in Scouts BSA may continue the trail to Eagle as well as earn merit badges and Eagle Palms. Sea Scouts also have a Marksmanship program, Long Cruise, Hornaday Award, religious emblems, Mile Swim, Scout Lifeguard, and many other programs available to all scouts.

A:  A Scout is Loyal. Our standing rules require that any currently registered BSA Youth must get written permission from their troop committee to join our ship, and also must commit to active membership in their current troop for a period of time set by the troop committee. If the scout cannot stand before the troop committee and convince the members that dual membership is the best path for the scout, then we believe the scout is not ready for Sea Scouting.  These “dual members” function much like a Den Chief for Cub Scouts. You may choose to have them serve as a Troop Guide, Instructor, or Junior Assistant Scoutmaster for your unit. Put them to work!

A:  Not necessarily, but that is up to their current troop committee. Our Skipper is an Eagle Scout, Vigil OA member, and Wood Badge graduate with 25+ years scouting experience including a trip to the 1985 National Jamboree. We will encourage and assist all scouts in the trail toward Eagle and continued growth through Eagle Palms and other merit badges.

A:  Swimming and Lifesaving are standards, but there are many more: Small Boat Sailing, Rowing, Canoeing, Oceanography, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Fish and Wildlife Management, Kayaking, Motorboating, Water Sports, Whitewater… and then there’s Radio, Weather, Electronics, … the opportunities abound!

For parents

A:  Our ship meets monthly for an intensive training and planning session that lasts about an hour and a half.  Youth can meet in smaller groups or work independently as necessary on their own schedule.

A:  In Sea Scouting, youth actually learn a real trade through hands-on training in seamanship and leadership. From ship meetings, long cruises, United States Coast Guard sponsored Safety at Sea, and SEAL (Sea Scout Experience Advanced Leadership) training, youth will be learning every step of the way whether they realize it or not.

A:  Sea Scouting is open to all youth age 14 (or 13 and have completed the 8th grade) up to age 20 as a youth member. Adults age 21 and over may join as an adult member—and many do.

A:  Our chartering organization is the Kansas City Sail and Power Squadron, a group of seasoned maritime experts in water safety. We presently have four craft owned by the ship and have access to other craft of all sizes in the area. We further have the support of the Heart of America Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a crackerjack team of volunteers ready to serve.

A:  Parents report the most unexpected change that Sea Scouts learn is respect. Maritime traditions such as asking permission to leave the table, always addressing others as “sir” or “ma’am”, and avoidance of personal isolation devices like cell phones with headphones are among the many courtesies our youth learn and express—courtesies that are otherwise lost in today’s world.

For Educators and Youth Leaders

A:  Sea Scouting builds character and prepares youth for a wide variety of fields of study and career pursuits. Present surveys show that 43% enter either the military or maritime industries and the remaining 57% enter other fields.

A:  Sea Scouts receive training in seamanship and leadership. From ship meetings, long cruises, a USCG sponsored Safety at Sea, to SEAL (Sea Scout Experience Advanced Leadership) training, our Sea Scouts will be learning every step of the way whether they realize it or not.

A:  Sea Scouting provides the opportunity for youth to expand their leadership abilities and refine skills that will give them a head start in any military career, especially with the Navy or Coast Guard.

Q: What about maritime careers outside of the military? 

A:  Sea Scouts get an opportunity to cruise where they will learn about the maritime industry and the opportunities available to them. After earning the Quartermaster Award, a Sea Scout is prepared to complete the testing to be a qualified USCG Licensed Captain. Other careers include: Merchant Marine, Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Ocean Transport, Marine Engineering, Coastal Fisheries, Naval Architecture, Admiralty Law, Yachting as a Business, Marine Insurance, and Watercraft Maintenance. The discipline you build in yourself will always be with you through your life and career.

Q: What about recreational boating? 

A:  Sea Scouts who are looking for a lifetime of fun and adventure on the water will find their place in our program. There are plenty of opportunities to learn valuable seamanship skills that will take you cruising the waters of life—even if your career is on land!

A:  Ask a leader about the array of maritime education and academic scholarships available, or you can read more details at https://seascout.org/scholarships/.

For Scoutmasters

A:  A Scout is Loyal. Our standing rules require that any currently registered youth in a BSA unit (Scouts BSA, Venturing, etc.) must get written permission from their unit committee to join our ship, and also must commit to active membership in their current unit for a period of time set by the unit committee. If the youth cannot stand before the troop committee and convince the members that dual membership is the best path for the youth, then we believe the individual is not ready for Sea Scouting.

These “dual members” function much like a Den Chief for Cub Scouts. You may choose to have them serve as a Troop Guide, Instructor, or Junior Assistant Scoutmaster for your unit. Put them to work!

A:  Not necessarily, but that is up to their current troop committee. Our Skipper is an Eagle Scout, Vigil OA member, and Wood Badge graduate with 25+ years scouting experience including a trip to the 1985 National Jamboree. Your leadership will be respected and reinforced.

A:  Ranks in Sea Scouting are Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and Quarter-master. Youth who have achieved the rank of First Class may continue the trail to Eagle. Sea Scouts also have a Marksmanship program, Long Cruise, Hornaday Award, religious emblems, Mile Swim, Scout Lifeguard, and many other programs.

A:  Each year we host Sea Camp for scouts from the area to work on merit badges such as Fish and Wildlife Management, Fishing, Fly-Fishing, Kayaking, Motorboating, Oceanography, Scuba Diving, Small-Boat Sailing, and more. We also set up Cub Cruises for Cubs and Webelos.  We are also seeking volunteers to lead a cadet program for ages 10-13 through BSA's Exploring/Learning for Life program.

A:  Often times older scouts lose interest after achieving the rank of Eagle or entering high school. Allow our ship to serve your troop by providing excitement, training, and special events to drive your recruiting and give your youngest members something to really capture their imagination and their enthusiasm.

For employers

Q: How can Sea Scouting help my business? 

A:  Sea Scouts develop discipline, respect, and loyalty. They learn specific competencies that most businesses seek in their staff.

Q: What are the specific competencies that Sea Scouts learn? 

A:  Sea Scouts learn five of the most widely sought-after competencies by employers in this country. Expect Sea Scouts to learn the following:

A:  Sea Scouts build other values and behaviors that are aligned with the culture of the workplace. Our members develop strong work ethic, professionalism, self-management, integrity, individual responsibility, networking skills, adapt-ability, and sociability that are so desperately needed in the workplace setting.

A:  Encourage your staff—especially your youth staff—to join up with us and gain additional experience. Express understanding and flexibility to allow for time to gain experience with us. When they return to your workplace, the experience will shine through and be directly valuable to your team.