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. It can also 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.
Youth and adults registered in Sea Scouts may earn the Long Cruise badge. 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(s) they would like to participate in. The bar states what discipline they shot and the level they are currently at. The Sea Scouts only wear 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 Scouting America 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 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.
