Friday, February 11, 2011

Sea Scouts

During the era of World War II a great interest was generated for the Coast Guard, especiallyl for those that were too old to be in the armed forces at the time, or had flat feet, or a variety of other problems. The Coast Guard welcomed many of these people that were rejected in other areas for special need work. One of those was an uncle of mine who was accepted because he was color blind. This apparently enabled him to see things that were supposedly camouflaged which tied color with other colors and caused some things to be almost invisible, except of course to one who saw shapes rather than colors.

There were many young boys who would like to know more about the sea. To handle that need the Sea Scouts were gained popularity all over the country. Lakes as small as Carter Lake in Iowa could be utilized for training successfully. The boys liked this idea as much as they liked the Boy Scouts of America and learned basics about sailing, knot tying, and many other useful things with relationship to boats and water.

Sea Scouting had its beginning at a campfire in England when Baden-Powell voiced the hope that older Scouts would be interested in learning about boat management and seamanship. He stressed the need for young men to prepare themselves for service on their country's ships. Sea Scouting was introduced by Baden-Powell with the assistance of his brother, Warington Baden-Powell, K.C., an Admiralty lawyer, sailor, and inventor of canoe sailing. Lord Baden-Powell personally held a Scout camp at Bucklers Hard, Hampshire in August 1909 which marked the start of Sea Scouts, though they were not officially named such until 1912. Warington Baden-Powell wrote the handbook Sea Scouting and Seamanship for Boys in 1910 with a foreword by Robert Baden-Powell. A special uniform was approved in 1910.[2] It was enthusiastically received by the young men of Britain and soon found its way to the rest of the world. Warington Baden-Powell is also the author of Canoe Travelling: Log of a Cruise on the Baltic, and Practical Hints on Building and Fitting Canoes London, Smith, Elder, 1871.

Sea Scouts has maintained a particular popularity over the years and is a specialized segment of the Venturing program, which was organized to address members' boating skills and promote knowledge of our maritime heritage.

Sea Scout units, called "ships," focus on sailing and cruising either sailboats or power vessels. During the boating seasons, Sea Scouts learn to maintain and operate then vessel, with a focus on learning the safe and proper methods of handling boats. Sea Scouts also learn the meaning of buoys and lights, how to take advantage of wind and tide, and how to drop anchor or approach a dock.

Most ships hold formal meetings conducted in either full dress of work uniforms. Swimming, lifesaving, first aid, Coast Guard Auxiliary Sailing and Seamanship, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses are taught with the ship by our own officers. The state safe boating course is also offered by many ships. Occasionally movies are shown, contests between crews are held, or intership visits are arranged.

For more infomration about the Sea Scouts, including how to join or start a Sea Scout ship in your area, please contact your local council service center.

These articles can be found by "Googling" Sea Scouts.