Events and Trainings

Sea Scouts has been a part of BSA since 1912 and has a long maritime tradition. While it’s among the smaller programs within BSA it makes an impact on Boater’s education and training. In February of 2022, the program advancement requirements were enhanced to include advancement options for paddle craft units such as kayaking, canoeing, and white-water rafting. The growing popularity of paddle craft and SCUBA Ships brought proactive changes which were more inclusive to a variety of Ships with the release of errata 6.

Ships are youth lead and adults serve as guides and mentors, as the program is targeted to youth ages 14-21. With the heart of the program focusing on boaters’ safety and education training combined with hands-on adventure, partnerships through memorandums of understanding have been developed with organizations such as the America’s Boating Club (ABC) also known as United States Power Squadron (USPS), the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA), and the American Canoe Association (ACA).

An important training for both youth and adult leaders is the NASBLA Boaters Safety Education Training. There are a variety of certifications one can attain from a free on-line course to a 16-hour hands-on training offered through US Power Boating. NASBLA is a United States non-profit organization which works to establish public policy for recreational boaters’ safety. State approved NASBLA boaters’ safety education courses are utilized within the Sea Scout program. Everyone ages 14 and above are encouraged to take a NASBLA Boaters Safety Education Training Course and referred to the appropriate state boating laws for the state in which they reside. For advancement, a NASBLA Boaters Safety Education Course satisfies Sea Scout Advancement requirement Ordinary 15. Once completed, the course is then recorded in the adult leader training records under Boating Safety (P47) and under Sea Scout Advancement Ordinary 15 requirement. The following links are resources to take an NASBLA Boaters Safety Education Training Course for free or for a small fee. Training and safety are essential for being on the water.

NASBLA – http://nasbla.org is the national association of state boating law administrators is a national nonprofit, 501(c) 3 organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories.

BoatUS – https://www.boatus.org/free/ the Boat US foundation offers a free-online NASBLA approved boaters safety education course. The course is self-paced, and Boat US does accept donation to help defray the cost. A pocket size plastic card can be ordered on-line to keep on you while boating. It’s highly recommended to order the card for verification of course completion.

USPS – https://www.usps.org the United States Power Squadron (USPS) has a long-standing partnership with BSA and supports Sea Scouting through training and education. USPS is also known as America’s Boating Club (ABC). Youth membership is encouraged, and Sea Scouts can be a member for $12.00 which also satisfies a Sea Scout elective Level 1 requirement. Sea Scouts who complete both Boat Handling and Marine Navigation can earn a Level 2 Elective. The NASBLA Boaters Safety Education course is listed as America’s Boating Course and the link is https://www.americasboatingcourse.com. The course can be taken in-person or online. The online cost is $34.99. The website allows for one to search for an in-person class or register for the online course.

USPS also offers the opportunity to earn one of the most prestigious Sea Scout Awards, which is the United States Power Squadron Sea Scout Service Award for both youth and adults. To be eligible for the award as a youth, one must be a member of the USPS, attain advanced grade of Pilot ‘P,’ earn at least two USPS merit marks, and as a Sea Scout be a Quartermaster Award Recipient, serve in a leadership role as a Sea Scout, and plan, organize, a Sea Scout/USPS joint civic, educational, boating, and/or social activity. Adult leader recipients must obtain additional requirements as outlined by the USPS and can be found on the USPS website listed above.

USCG Auxiliary – https://www.cgaux.org offers an eight-hour Boat America course that varies in cost and duration per location and by flotilla. Courses can be identified by entering the zip code search on the USCG Auxiliary website.

US Powerboating – https://www.uspowerboating.com offer’s a 16-hour hands-on boaters safety education training course. This is the premier boater’s safety education course as it’s one of the only ones that offers individual or group on-the-water instruction with the exam following course completion.

Be prepared! Take a NASBLA Boaters Safety Education Course before getting on the water and challenge a friend to take it with you.

See you on the Water!

Charleen Kennedy

Calling all Venturers! Applications for leadership in the CVOA are now open. A list of all the positions, position descriptions, and leadership applications is available at this link. Whether you want to run the program or just want to get your feet wet in council leadership, we have a position for you! Applications are due by the end of the day on April 30th!

Meet & greet and information session for Outdoor Ethics Guides
Tuesday 4/25/23 at 7pm on zoom. Join the zoom meeting to meet current & aspiring Outdoor Ethics Guides (youth) & NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee members and build on your knowledge & confidence in leading outdoor ethics in your unit. For YOUTH. Register for the OE Guide meet & greet.

Leave No Trace Master Educator course
May 14-19, 2023 at The Summit in West Virginia (not in NCAC but close). A major goal for this course is to graduate effective & active Leave No Trace Master Educators who will return to their home council & conduct the key Leave No Trace Trainer courses needed to support their unit, district & council outdoor programs. More info about the Master Educator course.  Register for the course.

Outdoor Ethics Orientation courses -in-person in Brandywine, MD
The goal of this 90-minute course is to introduce the concept of Outdoor Ethics in a fun & engaging way to a group with little experience in outdoor ethics. It should help youth & adults at all program levels understand the general principles behind Scouting’s outdoor ethics program.
Saturday 6/10/23 at 12:30-2
Saturday 9/9/23 at 12:30-2
Sunday 12/3/23 at 12:30-2

Outdoor Ethics Guide courses- in-person in Brandywine, MD
This 2 hour course taught by NCAC helps orient Outdoor Ethics Guides to this position of leadership in their unit by reviewing the responsibilities of the Outdoor Ethics Guide position, providing ideas on how to carry out this role, practicing some activities & games, & sharing resources.
Saturday 6/10/23 at 2:30-4:30
Saturday 9/9/23 at 2:30-4:30
Sunday 12/3/23 at 2:30-4:30

Leave No Trace Trainer courses in 2023
9/25/23 at 7pm online & 9/30/23 at 9am in-person in Germantown, MD
(watch for the link to register on the NCAC calendar)

10/16/23 at 7pm online & 10/21/23 at 9am in-person at Camp Snyder
Register for the October 2023 LNT Trainer course

If these courses do not work for your scouts/scouters or if you would like a member of our Outdoor Ethics Committee to lead an outdoor ethics-themed pack or troop meeting, please email your request.

Upcoming events

• Next Roundtable: April 12 – Tell me about Project Learning Tree!
  PLT works with Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to provide scouting leaders with ideas and outdoor, hands-on activities to help support Cub Scouts adventures & Scouts BSA merit badges. PLT provides fun & inspiring activities that can help scouts advance! Marnie Lammle, PLT’s South Dakota Advocate, will introduce us to this nationwide program & its instructional materials
• Register for the 2022-3 year of BSA Outdoor Ethics Roundtables
  Complete this form once for the whole year. Spell out your council name.

Updates from BSA

• Save the Date: National Outdoor Conference Sep 27-Oct 1, 2023 at Philmont

Best practices, games & activities:

• Outdoor Code hand gestures: watch this 13 second Outdoor Code video to learn hand gestures to help you remember the Outdoor Code. Thanks to Paul Schimke for this video!
• Ways to Make Your Trash Cleanup More Sustainable: Any time you pick up trash, you are creating a positive impact, but by incorporating these tips, that impact can be even greater. No matter how you give back, your outdoor areas appreciate you. Read this Leave No Trash blog for tips to make your trash cleanup project more Earth-friendly!
• Take the LeaveNoTrash pledge, then take ACTION: Every year the world generates 2.1 million tons of waste. This April, join Leave No Trace for its international #LeaveNoTrash movement. Together we have the power to make to a difference, remove trash from the outdoors and keep it healthy, protected & thriving. Take the pledge.
• Are you straining your dishwater? Animals are attracted to all the food scraps that we leave behind. Straining your dishwater allows you to capture food particles that you can then put in the trash or compost. That way you won’t be leaving behind tasty tidbits for the squirrels, bears & other animals and you won’t be littering. Buy strainers & practice straining dishwater at your next troop meeting. Read the blog about gray water disposal or watch the video
• Four Ds for your campfire: For best results while creating your Leave No Trace campfire, gather wood using the Four D’s.
  Dead: Wood that has been dead long enough to be dry.
  Down: Physically separated and down from living trees.
  Dinky: Smaller in girth, than one’s wrist or forearm. Easy to break and to burn completely through.
  Distant: Wood should be collected 200 feet from camp to avoid firewood mining and the effects of site creep.