About

The Purpose of Sea Scouts

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.


The Sea Scout Program

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.


Sea Scout Pillars

The best part of Sea Scouts is cruising and mastering the skills you learn with your shipmates. On board a vessel you share hands-on experiences as helmsman and navigator, lookout and cook, sail handler and engineer. You and your shipmates will plan and conduct your annual cruise – summer camp underway. Imagine sailing the Caribbean, cruising to Alaska, fishing, swimming, diving, snorkeling or anything else your ship wants to do!

Sea Scouts is youth led and adult mentored. You and your shipmates lead your Sea Scout program. Elected youth leaders plan and conduct the program and adult leaders guide and support your efforts as you learn important leadership and life skills. As you gain experience you will have the opportunity to contribute as a leader in your ship. Sea Scouts are recognized and rewarded for the things they learn and do. You can earn valuable certifications in SCUBA, boating safety, lifesaving, and CPR, as well as advance in rank from Apprentice to Quartermaster. Each certification and level of advancement marks your growth as a sailor and a leader.

Sea Scouts take service very seriously. Sea Scouts perform various kinds of service from service to their ship, to community service. They participate service such as river or beach clean-up efforts, food drives, and youth programs. Sea Scouts also participate in flag ceremonies, and serve as honor guards at various community events.

Sea Scouts provides opportunities to share experiences with other young people who share your interests. As your ship participates in fun and exciting activities like sailing regattas, rowing races, and rendezvous, you’ll learn and grow with your shipmates. You’ll even have the opportunity to meet Sea Scouts from other parts of your community, the nation, and even the world!

Programs

Sea Scouts are recognized and rewarded for the things they learn and do. You can earn valuable certifications in SCUBA, boating safety, lifesaving, and CPR, as well as advance in rank from Apprentice to Quartermaster. Each certification and level of advancement marks your growth as a sailor and a leader.

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, you will be learning every step of the way whether you realize it or not.

You and your shipmates lead your Sea Scout program, so you make it what you want. In Sea Scouts you may cruise the San Juan Islands or SCUBA dive in the Florida Keys. You may cruise aboard “America’s Tall Ship” the USCG Barque Eagle. In Sea Scouts, you build your own adventure!

Benefits

What makes Sea Scouts so unique 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 your ship you will learn piloting and the rules of the road, navigation and how to read the weather. You will be fascinated by maritime history and traditions, learn knots and fancy rope work, master boat maintenance, engine service, and marine electronics skills. No matter what your ship does, you will discover thrills that you just can’t get anywhere else.

Sea Scouts get hands-on seamanship and leadership training that will put a Sea Scout one step ahead of the rest, no matter the path they choose. If the military is not your path, Sea Scouts also get a head start on the USCG captain’s license in addition to the countless other skills and opportunities.