SEA EXPLORING



                      SEA EXPLORER SHIP PROGRAM GUIDE

        (Use with Exploring Program Development Guide, No. 23-866)



               W H A T   I S    S E A   E X P L O R I N G ?



Sea Exploring is the young-adult division of the Boy Scouts of America. Sea Explorers are young

men and women who have completed the eighth grade and are 14 years of age, or 15 years of age

but have not yet reached their 21st birthday.



Young-adults join Sea Explorer ships to gain insight into a variety of programs that offer

leadership, fitness, outdoor, service, social, and career hands-on activities.



Sea Exploring is experiential learning with lots of fun-filled, hands-on activities. It promotes the

conditions necessary for the growth and development of adolescent youth.



Young people need experiences that allow them to: Interact with peers and acquire a sense of

belonging. Gain experiences in decision making. Discuss conflict in values and formulate their

own value systems. Reflect on self in relation to others and discover more about themselves by

interaction. Experiment with their own identity. Participate as a responsible member of a group.

Cultivate a capacity to enjoy life. Sea Exploring can provide these experiences in wholesome,

well-planned programs run by youth members.





          S T E P S    T O    O R G A N I Z I N G    A    S H I P



Each year the Boy Scouts of America requests the support of chartered organizations such as

business, industrial, military, professional, religious, service, and other community organizations

in operating Sea Explorer ships.



Chartered organizations provide the program help for Sea Explorer ship meetings, activities, and

trips through caring adult leaders.



Organizing Sea Explorer ships (groups) in your organization is easy! 







Just follow these five successful steps:



Step One.      Secure commitment from the chief executive officer.



Step Two.      CEO calls a briefing meeting of administrative or management staff.



Step Three.         BSA Exploring representative conducts program planning/training meetings

                    for selected staff.



Step Four.          Mail student invitations and follow up by telephone.



Step Five.          Confirm arrangements and follow the suggested First-nighter (first meeting)

                    agenda.





              S U G G E S T E D    P R O G R A M    I D E A S



The program of Sea Explorer ships matches the interests of young adults with the resources and

adult expertise of their chartered organization. The following suggested ideas are specific elements

that your Sea Explorer ship leaders might use when planning a well balanced program around Sea

Exploring's six experience areas.



1.  CAREER -- programs that feature a better understanding and appreciation of America's

social, economic, and governmental systems through insight and practical experiences in careers.



SUGGESTED TOPICS: sport fishing, boating sales, boating service, marina operations,

commercial fishing, boating equipment sales, boating maintenance, careers in marine industry,

oceanography, resort operation, marine biology, salvage, emergency services, water skiing/scuba

instruction, marine related government agencies, aquarium operation, fishery research and

management, water pollution control, maritime occupations, and aquatic sports training.  

  

2.  LEADERSHIP -- activities for preparation to give leadership and fulfill their responsibility

to their community, society, and to all the people of the world through a deeper pride in the

promise of America and an understanding that all people have the right to life, liberty, and the

pursuit of happiness.



SUGGESTED TOPICS: review local and federal regulations, licensing of boats and operators,

study Waterways Rules of the Road - U.S. Coast Guard, tour maritime businesses, U.S. Coast

Guard Auxiliary, discussions on competitor courtesy and sportsmanship, qualify as an official for

youth instruction, qualify as a judge for a marine competitive event, organize interschool

competitive marine event, review certification and training of scuba divers, study the history and

development of scuba diving, review state and federal sport fishing regulations and enforcement,

study the history of development of fisheries, organize interschool competition in swimming,

diving, or water skiing.



3.  SOCIAL -- formal and informal activities that develop stable personal values firmly based on

religious concepts, skills in dealing with all people, and a sense of family responsibility.   



SUGGESTED TOPICS: plan family activities, parent-Sea Explorer competition, swimming

competition for the handicapped, open house, provide fishing projects to assist the elderly, plan

a parent's night program, develop programs for community organizations, provide boating safety

programs, plan family boating activity, and plan water safety activity. 



4.  SERVICE -- the development of the skills and the desire needed to help others with a keen

respect for the basic rights of others and empathy for others.



SUGGESTED TOPICS: boating safety programs to community youth groups, assists with U.S.

Coast Guard Auxiliary projects, help with courtesy marine examinations, assist with local boating

events, carry out National Safe Boating Week activities, support community tournaments/meets

by serving as assistants/timers/officials, teach swimming safety/skills/ conditioning to youth

groups, develop and carry out conservation and energy-saving projects, plan cleanup programs

for beaches/rivers/lakes, organize/coach/officiate youth water skiing events, teach water skiing

skills to youth groups, and assist with American Water Ski Association competitive events.



5.  OUTDOOR -- activities that teach a degree of self-reliance based on courage, initiative and

resourcefulness and the understanding and appreciation of the wise use of resources and the

protection of our environment. 



SUGGESTED TOPICS: weekend campout (land cruise), Surface Water Resources Program,

water skiing exhibitions, winter sports activities, conduct water skiing practice courses, cruises,

learn to sail, conduct water volleyball tournaments, and assist with conservation or environmental

projects.



6.  FITNESS -- activities that improve mental, emotional, and physical fitness and an appreciation

for recreation.



SUGGESTED TOPICS: learn proper exercise, conditioning /training/ diet for aquatic sports,

plan fitness and exercise programs, first aid programs, learn lifesaving skills, proper use and care

of equipment, weight training, pass boat handling instruction, secure speakers on mental and

emotional fitness, personal health care programs, and good nutrition program.





                L O C A L    P R O G R A M    S U P P O R T



BSA LOCAL COUNCIL SERVICE CENTER. Your Sea Explorer ship is supported by one of

more than 360 BSA councils.



The local council Exploring Division agrees to: Provide professional staff to help the ship succeed.

Maintain service center activities to support Sea Exploring. Recruit, train, and guide a councilwide

volunteer district/division organization. Provide councilwide activities such as canoe races, sports

tournaments, road rallies, ski trips, and career-related conferences as planned by the officers and

Advisors of ships at the annual planning conference. Conduct an annual career interest survey of

all high schools in the council area. Provide the use of councilwide facilities such as camps and

aquatic bases.



ACTIVITIES. Sea Explorers may attend the three national high adventure areas: Philmont

Explorer Base, Cimarron, NM 87714 (505-376-2281); Northern Tier National High Adventure

Base, P.O. Box 509, Ely, MN 55731 (218-365-4811); and Florida National High Adventure Sea

Base, P.O. Box 858, Islamorada, FL 33036 (305-664-4173). Other programs that enhance Sea

Explorer participation are the biennial National Explorer Leadership Conference, council, area,

and regional regattas and rendezvous, and special long cruises aboard U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast

Guard, and other vessels.



EXPLORING Magazine. A year's subscription to an exciting four-times-a-year publication is

included in the Explorer membership fee. A monthly subscription to SCOUTING Magazine is

included in the adult leader's membership fee. Sea Exploring adults leaders receive EXPLORING

Magazine as an insert in SCOUTING Magazine.



LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR CHARTERED ORGANIZATIONS. BSA general liability

insurance covers Chartered Organizations on a primary basis for any responsibility they may have

because they hold a charter for Sea Exploring.



Primary insurance means the Chartered Organization has exactly the same insurance as the BSA

and its councils. It also means that BSA insurance will pay any and all expenses, claims or

judgements against the Chartered Organization on Sea Exploring - related matters without asking

the Chartered Organization and/or its own insurance to be involved. 



TRAINING. The BSA local council provides basic and advanced leader training sessions along

with adult leader workshops, quarterly Advisor/Shipper meetings, and program conferences to

improve and enrich ship programs.