Adult Recognition

Questions often asked are, "What about the Skipper and Mates?" and "Do they qualify for advancement the same way a Sea Scout does?" This question calls for a brief explanation of the purpose of Sea Scout advancement and a reminder of recognitions recommended for adults in Sea Scouting.

The Sea Scout advancement program offers Ship members a series of progressive experiences in various skills with standards for meeting them. Sea Scouts qualifying receive special badges and awards.

The sole purpose of advancement is to challenge members to engage in activities that will support the character and citizenship objectives of the Sea Scout program.

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 following are some of the recognitions available to adult leaders in Sea Scouting:

Uniforms and insignia of office are available and recommended to Skippers and all other Sea Scout leaders.
Training awards, such as the Skipper's Key, the Sea Scouter's Training Award, the Venturing Advisor Award of Merit, the Seabadge Trident pin, and the Seabadge Underway pin can be earned by qualifying for special training and service.
All Scouters, including Sea Scout adult leaders, may be recognized by distinguished service awards by the district, council, region, or national (i.e. District Award of Merit, Venturing Leadership Award, Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo.
The Long Cruise Badge may be qualified for and worn by adult leaders (on dress uniforms only).
Adult religious emblems.
Special awards (i.e. USPS Finley Sea Scout Service Award, Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, George Meany Award, William T. Hornaday Award).
Conservation Good Turn Award patches may be worn by the officers and members of a Ship that completes an environmentally related project. See Conservation Good Turn kit, No. 21-386.
Historic Trails Award, 50-Miler Award, Mile Swim, BSA, BSA Lifeguard.

Sea Scout Officer Specialized Training

Two 2-hour sessions introducing the Sea Scout Manual and other program support material. The course is designed to help Sea Scout leaders know where to find the answers to their questions. Training Course certificate, No. 33767, is presented on completion of this course. The course content includes Sea Scouting ideals, Ship organization and leadership, Quarterdeck meeting, program planning patterns, use of consultants, Ship meetings and activities, advancement and other recognitions, optional recognition plan, cruises and superactivities, safety afloat, and resources.

More information on the Sea Scout Officer Specialized Training.

Seabadge Conference

Seabadge training is a national Sea Scouting training curriculum administered on a regional basis. Its purpose is to improve the leadership, management, and training skills of selected Sea Scout officers; to train trainers who, upon graduation, will pass on the knowledge and insight gained during the experience to those in his or her area of Sea Scouting responsibilities; to improve the unit management skills of Sea Scout officers and committee members by stimulating trained Seabadge personnel to conduct local council Sea Scout training courses; to improve the understanding of the Sea Scout program and its objectives and to use this improved understanding to increase the quality of local Sea Scout Ships and to expand the outreach of the program; and to provide for an interchange of program and administrative ideas between Sea Scout personnel from a variety of background and locations. Upon completion of the Seabadge curriculum, the Sea Scout leader develops a personal assignment, or rutter , which allows the leader to employ the techniques learned in Seabadge training. Upon completion of this personal assignment, the leader is presented with the coveted Seabadge trident pin.

More information on the Seabadge.

Seabadge Underway

Seabadge Underway provides basic training to prepare Sea Scout adult leaders to teach and manage their Ship for the safe operation of a Sea Scout vessel underway in moderate conditions. The adult unit leader (Skipper) may or may not be the vessel operator. Many experienced small vessel skippers, including USCG licensed vessel operators, are untrained in the proper methods of operating a Sea Scout Ship on underway vessels.

More information about Seabadge Underway.

Skipper's Key

To earn the coveted Skipper's Key, the Skipper must be highly trained and demonstrate a high standard of performance. As the key adult leader of a Ship for a significant length of time, Skippers bring recognition not only to themselves but to the officers and members of their Ship by qualifying for the Skipper's Key.

The Skipper's Key is known nationally as the Scouter's Key. Skippers awarded the Scouter's Key change it to the Skipper's Key by adding the Sea Scouting miniature device, No. S00931, to the center of the ribbon or square knot.

More information on the Skipper's Key.

Sea Scouter's Training Award

The Sea Scouter's Training Award is referred to nationally as the Scouter's Training Award. Mates and Ship Committee members earn this award.

More information on the Sea Scouter's Training Award.

Sea Scouter's Training Award

Skipper's Key

Seabadge