January TBD, 2023

Location TBD

Sea Scout Academy is a regional Sea Scout learning experience directly related to Sea Scouts advancement and the development of youth leadership. The event is hosted by Sea Star Base Galveston. Youth may choose from one of seven tracks of study. Youth are taught advancement skills such as radio procedures, rules of the road and navigation. Each track has 16 hours of instruction and application of skills required for specific ranks. Regardless of the track a youth pursues, all participants spend time sailing and applying their skills. Registered BSA Sea Scouts may attend. 

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Registration

Training Options

Adults can attend Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training (4 hours) The course introduces adults to the Sea Scout program and the resources necessary to get a ship up and running successfully. SSALBT is a prerequisite for Seabadge. SSALBT will be taught Sunday evening after dinner.

Youth can select one of seven training tracks ranging from recruit (1^st year) to apprentice (5^th year). Tracks are designed based upon a typical advancement path as outlined in the Sea Scout Manual.

Youth on each track will be housed at Sea Star Base Galveston with the exception of Track 5 (SEAL Prep) which will be housed at Lakewood Yacht Club. All tracks will begin and end their weekend at Sea Scout Base Galveston. Sea Scouts will be expected to follow the track schedule for which they registered. If a Skipper sees and validates a need for a Sea Scout to deviate from their schedule, the staff will try to honor that request. 

General Orders

Adult Leadership: Each unit must have at least one adult leader for each 10 youth with two adults minimum. Units with female members present must provide appropriate female adult leadership or make arrangements with another unit for the supervision of the youth. All adults are expected to cooperate and participate when called upon by the academy staff. Adult participation includes instruction, dorm monitoring, kitchen staff, service watch, or other duties assigned by the chairman. Please limit ship adults attending to those needed for youth protection, adult leadership and transportation. There are only 275 berths and the goal is to have as many youth as possible to be able to attend.

Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth. Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age- and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided. (Youth Protection and Adult Leadership). One-on-one contact between adult leaders and youth members is prohibited both inside and outside of Scouting. (Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs)

Courtesy: Leaders should impress upon their members the necessity of exemplary conduct at all times. The participants are guests of Sea Star Base Galveston for a significantly reduced cost. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.

Berthing: Housing is in dormitory rooms with bunk beds/cots or on-site tenting. Facilities will be inspected prior to checkout Monday. All members are reminded to bring modest bed clothing. Bring a sleeping bag or several blankets, a towel and a pillow. The SEAL track, track 5, will prepare all meals, conduct all activities, and be berthed on boats at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Food and Equipment: All meals will be provided per the schedule. Food will be prepared on-site in the kitchen, served in a chow line, and eaten in the dining hall. Individuals are encouraged to bring their own water bottle or cup. Notify the event staff when registering if registrants have any dietary requirements or food allergies. 

Injury: Any injury, however slight, is to be reported to the First Aid Station as soon as possible and necessary first aid administered. In case of a more serious injury, the Academy Chairman and the unit’s Scout Executive must be notified.

Special Needs: Anyone requiring refrigeration for medication should contact the designated first aid officer. Other special medical needs should be brought to the attention of the first aid officer.

Interfaith Service: There will be an interfaith service conducted on Saturday evening. A collection will be taken for the World Friendship Fund during the service.

Shore Leave: There is no shore leave. Each Scout is responsible for staying within the designated area of the Sea Star Base. Ship leaders are responsible for enforcing compliance with this rule. Youth may attend just a portion of the academy by clearing it in advance with their ship’s leaders and notification to the event staff. Each ship may park one vehicle on-site; additional vehicles will be parked in the satellite parking lot.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs: An important way adult leaders can model healthy living is by following the policies on alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Leaders should support the attitude that they, as well as youths, are better off without tobacco in any form and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. This includes the use of electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers, or electronic nicotine delivery systems that simulate tobacco smoking. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants. As outlined in the Scouter Code of Conduct, Scouting activities are not a place to possess, distribute, transport, consume, or use any of the following items prohibited by law or in violation of any Scouting rules, regulations, and policies: alcoholic beverages or controlled substances, including marijuana. In addition, the Code of Conduct specifies that if you are taking prescription medications with the potential of impairing any functioning or judgment, you will not engage in activities that would put Scouts at risk, including driving or operating equipment. (Source) Violations will result in immediate expulsion from the academy. 

Uniform: Each individual is requested (expected) to wear a Sea Scout uniform. Activity uniforms (Scouting t-shirt and blue jeans) are also acceptable. The staff needs to be able to identify the Sea Scouts during the event. Bare feet, flip-flops, tank-tops, halters, tube-tops, etc. are not considered acceptable dress. Bring warm clothing, a good jacket, and foul weather gear. Open-toed shoes are not allowed. Wear boat shoes or light-colored shoe soles on our boats to minimize marks. 

Changes: The academy committee makes every effort to see that this event is conducted as listed on this webpage. Inevitably, unforeseeable circumstances arise that require unpublished alterations to events described in this manual.

General Schedule

What to Bring

Youth Training

Scouting Safely

The BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them. 

BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow Youth Protection Guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:

• Two-deep leadership on all outings required.  
• One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited. 
• The buddy system should be used at all times. 
• Discipline must be constructive.

Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

    Guide to Safe Scouting    Sweet Sixteen    Enterprise Risk Management

Safe Boating and Sailing Standards       Boating Incident Review

Contact 

For additional information, visit www.ssbgalveston.org/scouting.