Sea Scouts and the Coast Guard Auxiliary

Implications for BSA Councils

The Boy Scouts of America and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary have signed an agreement making Sea Scouts the Official Youth Program of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

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How can your Council take advantage of this?

Sea Scouts BSA

High adventure, co-ed, maritime program for youth 14 (or 13 and a graduate of the 8th Grade) to 20.

Defined by 4 S’s:

Scouting Service�Seamanship Social

Top level program of the BSA, like Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturing

Units are called Ships and Unit leaders are called Skippers

Important Recent �Sea Scout Changes

• Embracing of paddlecraft (kayaks, canoes, paddleboard, rafts, etc) as an advancement track.
• Inland growth - small boat based (sail or paddle)
• New uniforms - more like Scouts, less like Navy
• Realignment with BSA roots organizationally and culturally - we are Scouts with boats.
• More volunteers in place to help grow the program - led by Commodores at Regional, Area, and Council levels

Sea Scouts are…

Viable everywhere. Many ships thrive far inland on lakes and rivers. Salt water not required.

Easiest with paddlecraft. Paddling ships are inexpensive, high adventure but low risk, and most SM/ASMs can be Skippers

Not just sailboats! Can use powerboats, paddlecraft, SCUBA, sailing, swimming or any combination

A full program of the BSA, alongside Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts (no longer part of Venturing)

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Starting a Ship

You need:

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• Charter organization
• Initial boating focus (paddlecraft, sailing etc)
• Adult leadership (former SM/ASM good candidates)
• Youth who want to have fun on the water

The process is no different than any other kind of unit!

Why Sea Scouts?

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Extend youth membership duration and thus the opportunity to fulfill BSA’s mission for each youth (with an impact on membership numbers)

Appeal to youth we might not otherwise reach

Opportunities for youth interested in maritime careers

Build a youth resource that’s valuable to the council and the community

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

• The Coast Guard Auxiliary was chartered by Congress in 1939 as the “Coast Guard Reserve.” In the advent of World War II, the Coast Guard established a Reserve component, and what had been called the “Reserve” was re-named the Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Minimum age is 17 (except for Sea Scouts, who can join the Auxiliary at age 14!)

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• Core values: Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty
• Auxiliary missions are:
• Recreational boating safety
• Provide specialized skills and resources to the Coast Guard
• Support Coast Guard operational, administrative, and logistical requirements

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The Big Opportunity

Auxiliary flotillas & divisions are encouraged to charter Sea Scout Ships

Sea Scouts who are at least 14 can become full Auxiliary members even if not in a ship chartered to the Auxiliary

• This gives them the ability to participate in training, qualifications, and operations just like any other Auxiliarist
• Being a Sea Scout is the only way someone under 17 can join the Auxiliary

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Auxiliary Organization

The Auxiliary is divided into Districts (not unlike Regions but smaller), Divisions (somewhat like Councils) with local units called Flotillas (somewhat similar to units)

The Auxiliary is made up of volunteers (just like BSA) but who must seek approval for legal agreements from Active Duty Coast Guard (just like we volunteers must seek approval from BSA professionals).

The most important Active Duty approver is the District’s Director of Auxiliary (DIRAUX) - this person must approve any chartering arrangements

Important: do not contact the active duty Coast Guard directly. Our relationship is with the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

What Should Councils Do?

Appoint a Commodore (Sea Scout Committee Chair).

• Key point of contact for Coast Guard Auxiliary (and Sea Scouts in general)
• Ok if not an experienced Sea Scout (Commissioner experience is useful)

Reach out to local flotillas to determine interest

Guide them through the unit start process

Position Code 36 -Council Sea Scouting Committee Chair

Why It Matters

Sea Scout growth has been limited by lack of adult leaders with useful experience

This provides access to several hundred new potential charter partners across the country and thousands of skilled adults who are potential Scout leaders

Result: positive impact on membership and more Scouting opportunities for youth in our communities.

For Youth:

About ⅓ of Sea Scout youth are interested in some kind of maritime career.

seascout.org/cgaux