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SEA SCOUT AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
SCOUT AWARDS
The Sea Scout advancement program offers scouts a series of progressive experiences in various skills with standards for meeting them. While working on those skills, here are some other opportunities to challenge the Scout, or honor their service to Sea Scouting.
The Small Boat Handler Program is designed for Sea Scout ships whose members are not interested in following the advancement plan leading to Quartermaster, or it can serve as a training outline for traditional ships. Topics include Aids to Navigation, Rules of the Road, and Boating Safety. For the course outline, click here.
The Qualified Seaman Program is designed for Sea Scout ships whose members are not interested in following the advancement plan leading to Quartermaster, or it can serve as a training outline for traditional ships. Topics include: Aids to Navigation, Rules of the Road, Seamanship, Safety, Piloting, Charts, Safe Boating and Operating a Boat. For the course outline, click here.
The Long Cruise badge may be earned by both youth and adults registered in Sea Scouts. A Sea Scout must be Ordinary rank before they can start recording cruising time for the Long Cruise badge. The Sea Scout must cruise for two weeks on any vessel or boat provided by the local council or the ship, or their own vessel when authorized by an adult leader in that Sea Scout ship. Each additional long cruise earned is marked by a red arc around the badge, until five such cruises have been completed. Then a single white arc replaces them around the badge. In the event that it is not possible to make a two-week cruise, a series of weekend or overnight cruises on any boat or ship may be made, provided that the total number equals 14 days. An adult leader may qualify for the badge without qualifying for Ordinary rank.
This award was implemented as a special activity a Sea Scout can participate in during times when they are not engaged in their nautical programs. It is designed to give programming for the ship when they are not able to get on the water. A Sea Scout begins with the Basic Shooter requirements. He or she chooses which discipline or disciplines they would like to participate in. The bar states what the discipline is they shot and the level they are currently at. The Sea Scout only wears the bar for the highest level they have achieved. If the Sea Scout shoots all 3 disciplines, they could only have a maximum of 3 bars hanging off of their medal showing the highest level achieved for each discipline. For requirements, click here.
The Sea Scout Leadership Award is presented by councils, areas, regions, and the BSA National Council to Sea Scouts and adult Leaders who have made exceptional contributions to the Sea Scout program. For more information, click here.
The USPS “Finley Sea Scout Service Award” recognizes those members of the United States Power Squadrons who are also youth or adult Sea Scout leaders, and who have provided outstanding civic, educational, and fraternal leadership to both the Sea Scouts and the United States Power Squadrons, through civic involvement, educational achievement, and active participation in both programs. To view the application, click here.
Do you enjoy camping under the stars, rafting a whitewater river, or hitting the trail afoot, on a bike, or even on a horse? Can you pitch a tent, find your way, and bandage an ankle using only materials in your pack? Are you prepared to do any of these in rain, snow, sleet, or heat? If so, the National Outdoor Awards are for you. There is nothing virtual about these awards—you can earn them only by demonstrating knowledge and experience in the outdoors. So, if you are a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer, and think you are tough and disciplined enough to hike or ride the miles, camp the nights, run the rivers or lakes, or do the work to conserve the land, then read on and see if the National Outdoor badges or possibly the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement could be for you! For requirements, click here.
LEADER RECOGNITION
One can clearly see from this that advancement is for young adults. However, there are recognitions available to adult leaders. The training and service required to qualify for these recognitions bring satisfying prestige. In every case they require either significant training or a worthwhile contribution to the effectiveness of the Sea Scout program.
The Long Cruise badge may be earned by both youth and adults registered in Sea Scouts. The Leader must cruise for two weeks on any vessel or boat provided by the local council or the ship, or their own vessel when authorized by an adult leader in that Sea Scout ship. Each additional long cruise earned is marked by a red arc around the badge, until five such cruises have been completed. Then a single white arc replaces them around the badge. In the event that it is not possible to make a two-week cruise, a series of weekend or overnight cruises on any boat or ship may be made, provided that the total number equals 14 days. An adult leader may qualify for the badge without qualifying for Ordinary rank.
The USPS “Finley Sea Scout Service Award” recognizes those members of the United States Power Squadrons who are also youth or adult Sea Scout leaders, and who have provided outstanding civic, educational, and fraternal leadership to both the Sea Scouts and the United States Power Squadrons, through civic involvement, educational achievement, and active participation in both programs. To view the application, click here.
The Sea Scout Leadership Award is presented by councils, areas, regions, and the BSA National Council to Sea Scouts and adult Leaders who have made exceptional contributions to the Sea Scout program. To view the application, click here.
The Scouter’s Training Award is a recognition for registered adult volunteers who meet training and performance requirements while serving for two years in a volunteer position. To view the application, click here.
The Skipper’s Key is a recognition for primary unit leaders who meet who complete advanced tenure, training and performance requirements. To view the application, click here.
Quality unit leadership is the key to a quality unit program—and it leads to better Scout retention. Statistics show that if young people stay engaged in the program for at least five years, the BSA’s influence likely will stay with them for the rest of their lives. A quality Scouting experience will help keep Scouts in the program, and the Boy Scouts of America created the Unit Leader Award of Merit to recognize the quality unit leaders who make that happen. The Unit Leader Award of Merit replaces the Scoutmaster, Varsity Team Coach, and Venturing Crew Advisor award of merit programs. This new recognition has revised requirements, and Cubmasters and Skippers are also eligible for this recognition. To view the application, click here.