SSS Sea Dogs

Parents often want to know what is expected of them to support their son or daughter in Sea Scouts.

Each Sea Scout youth and participating adult needs to take the required Venturing Youth Protection Training every two years, to take a BSA Medical Exam every year, to take a BSA Swim Test (one time,) and to get the Maryland Boating Safety Course certification.  The Boating Safety Course has a $25 fee, and the Ship will reimburse you for it.

When they go on sails, they will need certain equipment, similar to what they would need for backpacking, but much less involved.  They will need a sea bag, which can be a small duffel or backpack or overnight bag, containing a sleeping bag, toiletries, and what changes of clothes they would need on a sail.  They will also need something from which to drink, such as a wide-mouthed Nalgene bottle, something with which to eat, such as a lexan spoon or spork, and something on which to eat, such as a washable plastic bowl or plate.   Space is at a premium on a small cruising sailboat, so gear brought aboard needs to be kept to a minimum.

They will also need foul weather gear.  That can be as simple as a light rain suit that goes outside other clothing, or it can be heavier gear that is suitable for ocean crossings.  Ponchos will not work well on a sailboat.  Most of our sailing is in warm weather.  When sailing in colder weather, however, they will benefit greatly from sailing gloves (or waterproof insulated work gloves,) as well as warm undergarments and outergarments.

You may wish to come sailing with your son or daughter.  You are welcome to do so, but we will ask you to take the same safety training and precautions the Scouts must take.  You do not need to take the Boating Safety Course if you are not going to take command of a vessel, but you will need to wear a life jacket the entire time you are aboard, if you do not take the BSA Swim Test.  (All personnel wear life jackets (PFDs) in rough conditions.)

In addition to the principle of having two adults ("two-deep leadership") on every activity, as Sea Scouts is a coed activity, we are required to have a female adult along on any activity including a female youth.  When girls participate in the sails, we must have a female adult leader, or the girls cannot come.   While we usually have enough adults, we sometimes have to scramble to find enough women to participate.  We therefore strongly encourage Moms to participate, if they have any interest in sailing.  It's loads of fun, you'll learn a lot, and you'll get to share life-long memories with your child.

Aside from getting them to activities and signing permission slips, the main thing you can do to support your youth is to encourage their participation, and to ensure that sailing is what they want to do.  Sailing is our main activity, although we also do SCUBA, winter skiing and snowboarding, and many other activities.   If they are not interested in water-based adventure activities, then Sea Scouts is not for them.  If they want to participate in Scouting, and  mainly want to do high adventure that is NOT aquatic in nature, such as backpacking and so forth, then they may be more interested in one of the many fine Venturing Crews in our area.  (While our Scouts are currently discussing a backpacking trip, that is not their primary activity.)

Sea Scouts is a high adventure organization, and our youth plan and run the program with minimal supervision.  That means they have greater responsibilities.  Your son or daughter will be learning both skills and leadership in the program.  His or her personal investment in the program will depend on his or her personal interest.

At the same time, safety is our primary focus.  Sailing can be a very calm, relaxing activity when it is sunny and warm and the wind is just right.  When conditions are otherwise, it can be as exciting an adventure as anyone could wish.  Our larger boats only go out with an adult Captain on board, who is very familiar with the boat and its capabilities and operation.  There is safety training that takes place regularly in the Ship, that is required before anyone takes command of a boat in the Chesapeake Bay, and that takes place in the safety briefing before every sail.